Deep, Physical Running Back Room Gives Rockets Plenty of Options

Seventh in a series of position-by-position outlooks for the 2026 Toledo Football team.

TOLEDO, Ohio – A successful rushing attack starts with talent, but it becomes dangerous when depth is just as much of a strength.

That's the vision for Toledo's running back room entering the 2026 season.

Head coach Mike Jacobs believes the Rockets have assembled a versatile group capable of attacking defenses in multiple ways.

"We are excited about the depth and different style backs in the room," he said. "We have a great combination of speed and power."

Versatility didn't happen by accident. Running backs coach Fred Jones inherited a room that already included returning veteran Connor Walendzak and promising young talent. Rather than overhaul the position group, Jones evaluated the roster before strategically adding transfers who fit both the offense and the culture he wanted to build.

"I didn't come in looking to clean house," said Jones. "It was already a talented team that won eight games last year. I wanted to see what we had."

Those additions eventually included Mercer transfers CJ Miller and Autavius Ison, and Penn State transfer Corey Smith, giving Toledo a room Jones believes can be among the deepest in the Mid-American Conference.

The spring wasn't simply about learning a new offense. It was about creating chemistry, as Jones emphasized building relationships away from the field, spending one-on-one time with his players and creating a culture built on competition and accountability.

"We all grind and support and get the best out of each other," said Jones. "Nobody's job is guaranteed. Everybody comes in every day with a chance."

For Walendzak, the lone returning veteran among the primary contributors, the transition happened faster than many expected.

"There definitely was some uncertainty and a large amount of change," he said. "The more time we got to spend together, everything clicked pretty quickly. Once we developed those relationships between coaches and players, everything felt pretty normal."

Walendzak has watched the room grow closer throughout the offseason, while the offense continues to find its rhythm.

"I think we have a really deep room," he said. "We have a lot of guys who are really talented and a lot of hard workers. The room has continuously grown throughout the winter, spring and summer."

One of the biggest additions was Miller, who followed Jacobs and several assistants from Mercer after producing an outstanding FCS career. In 2025, Miller was a first-team all-Southern Conference selection after rushing for 957 yards and 14 touchdowns and catching 26 passes for 314 yards and three TDs.

His decision was straightforward.

"I already knew what they like to do and what they expect," Miller said of the coaching staff. "When they came here, it just made sense."

The move also provided an opportunity to prove himself against FBS competition.

Miller's familiarity with the coaching staff has extended well beyond production on the field. Having spent four seasons together, Miller has helped ease the transition for teammates by demonstrating drills, explaining expectations and reinforcing the standards Jones expects every day.

"It's priceless," said Jones. "He can explain things to everybody. He's been with me four years, and can kind of be the bridge while we're building the culture. And I'm harder on him than anybody because I know what he's capable of."

The Rockets expect their physical running style to become a defining characteristic. Jones envisions rotating multiple backs throughout games, allowing fresh legs to wear down opposing defenses.

Whether it's Miller's 230-pound frame, Walendzak's bruising style or the compact power of Ison and Smith, Toledo believes it has several backs capable of taking over late in games.

"I like to play a lot of guys," said Jones. "You've got to ride the hot hand. If somebody gets rolling, you've got to let that guy roll."

That philosophy has developed alongside an offensive line that spent the spring learning a new system. Both Walendzak and Jones pointed to the steady improvement between the offensive line and running backs as one of the biggest developments of spring practice.

"By the end of spring, we were rolling," said Jones. "It takes putting the pads on and playing together. Once guys started showing up on film, everything started meshing."

With fall camp approaching, confidence inside Toledo's running back room continues to build.

The pieces are in place for the offense to take another step.

"We have a lot of really talented players," said Walendzak. "When we put it all together during the spring, we were clicking and firing on all cylinders. I'm really excited for this year."

If the competition throughout the offseason is any indication, the Rockets won't rely on one featured back. Instead, they'll lean on a room full of playmakers determined to keep each other fresh, push one another every day and make life difficult for opposing defenses deep into the fourth quarter.

Players Mentioned

Autavius Ison

CJ Miller

Corey Smith

Connor Walendzak