2019 Rocket Football Preview: The Running Backs & Wide Receivers

Key returners: Sophomore Bryant Koback (917 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns), junior Shakif Seymour (565 rushing yards, 5 TDs), senior Desmond Phillips (27 receptions), junior Danzel McKinley-Lewis (23 catches in 2017; missed much of 2018 due to injury).

Toledo has a talented crop of skill position players entering the 2019 season, featuring a tantalizing combination of talent and youth.

The Rockets return the bulk of their rushing production from last season, led by Bryant Koback and Shakif Seymour. As a redshirt freshman last season, Koback led the team with 917 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 6.0 yards per carry. Seymour added 565 yards on the ground and five TDs.

Senior Ronnie Jones added 144 rushing yards in 2018, and a couple of freshman have impressed in practices so far: Micah Kelly and Jacquez Stuart.

While they all have different player profiles, running backs coach Nate Cole emphasized that all the running backs on the roster have speed to burn. But the first-year position coach is asking his backs to take a more methodical approach to their 2019 campaign.

"We want them to understand that you might not have your best day every day," Cole said. "We just want them to take steps forward each day. And if we can string a couple of those days together, days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months. That all adds up to a great season."

Over the last several weeks of camp, Cole has had the running backs focusing on one of the most important factors of the running game – ball security.

Returning running backs only fumbled the ball twice last season, but Cole is making sure his players know the importance of holding onto the ball once it's in their hands.

"I always ask the guys, 'what are you holding in your hands?'" Cole said. "Then I ask them 'what game are we playing here?' Football. They literally hold the game in their hands."

The Rockets' wide receivers are another group that will often hold the game right in their hands.

Toledo's wide receiving corps lost a large chunk of its production from last season due to the graduations of Cody Thompson and Jon'Vea Johnson, and the selection of Diontae Johnson in the NFL Draft.

Returning wide receivers include Bryce Mitchell, Danzel McKinley-Lewis, and Desmond Phillips, all of whom have seen significant time out wide for the Rockets over the last couple seasons. Phillips' 27 receptions last season are the most among returning players, while McKinley-Lewis caught 23 balls for 319 yards in 2017.

They have big shoes to fill, and wide receivers coach Kevin Beard is embracing it.

"I know you want to play for your parents and your family," Beard said. "But I also want you to play for the people that put that uniform on before you and set the standard at this position. Then take it to the next level and let the people that play this position in the future live up to the standards you set."

Beard noted that his players have done an excellent job of familiarizing themselves with the playbook. He acknowledged that the group is still a work in progress, but they're getting noticeably better every day.

"A lot of them have not been in this role before," said Beard. "The game is on their backs; they're not the supporting cast anymore. They're trying to learn that role and figure out where they fit in. I'm really excited about this group."

Younger players like sophomores Neru N'Shaka, Darius Corbett and Nick Kovacs, and redshirt freshmen Jalin Cooper and Devin Maddox will all be fighting for playing time at wide receiver. Their position coach called them a talented group, but one that still needs to figure out what it takes to succeed at the collegiate level.

"They've been doing what they've been doing for so long that it feels right," Beard said. "So they have to work on changing and building new habits."

Toledo wide receivers have been a historically productive group over the last decade. Rocket wide receivers have accumulated 17 All-MAC selections over the last 10 seasons. History is on Toledo's side that there are other all-conference-caliber wide receivers on the roster ready to be the next in line.

Also out there catching passes will be an experienced group of tight ends.

Senior Reggie Gilliam, a 2018 All-MAC selection, and junior Drew Rosi have seen significant time at the position over the last two seasons and Rocket fans should expect more of the same this year. Tight ends coach Robby Discher also singled out sophomore Jamal Turner as someone having a great camp and a player who will see playing time.

Toledo opens up its 2019 season at Kentucky on Aug. 31 before hosting Murray State in the home opener on Sept. 14. For season tickets or single-game tickets, go online or call 419-530-GOLD (4653).