So with Spiller to the NFL almost a certainty at this point, how do you see us handling the run game this year? Do you think we still use Achane the same way, where he comes in later after we wear the defense down, or does he start becoming our premiere back?

Champ Bailey said:

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So with Spiller to the NFL almost a certainty at this point, how do you see us handling the run game this year? Do you think we still use Achane the same way, where he comes in later after we wear the defense down, or does he start becoming our premiere back?

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It will be the Achane show next season. I think we will have a second and third RB that will come in between plays. I think the second team reps will be split between LJ Johnson and Amari Daniels, with one getting almost all the 2nd team reps through the season.

Achane can be a feature back in the SEC.

Well Achane is gonna win the Heisman next year... so yeah

Achane looks like the kind of RB who can take 70% of snaps. Amari Daniels has looked pretty good in the bits we've seen. I hear LJ has monster potential, too. I expect our passing game to be able to shoulder more of the workload next year than it does this year, too.

Losing Spiller isn't good. We aren't going to upgrade at the position, but we will be just fine.

I'm concerned about who's replacing Kenyon and what we lose on Defense. We've certainly got talent at RB with Crownover, LJ, Amari and Doendre Jackson.

Passing will open up them holes. Dare them to race Achane.
Johnson and Daniels will continue to get better with more playing time.

Real question is, if Bijan enters the portal do we take him for 1 year?

Hard to replace spiller but I feel pretty good with what we've seen with Daniels, LJ's style fits well with what we do in the run game as well.

Wouldn't Bijan have to sit a year? I have not kept up with all of the rules.

Achane appears he can be a feature back, LJ has a lot of hype and after an offseason may be closer to the 215 range so he could handle being an every down back as well. Daniels has looked good so between the three of them I think we will be okay.

That's laughable. He ain't gonna share the ball and I doubt he is tuff enough for the SEC.

Running backs don't call plays.

Take off the maroon glasses. Bijan is legit, even if he is a horn.

not sure achane can handle the weekly grind of SEC football with multiple 20+ carry games....i dont think he can handle the work load like a spiller....hopefully LJ and amari can pick up the slack...

Cls12eng said:

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Real question is, if Bijan enters the portal do we take him for 1 year?

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Absolutely. Achane and Bijan, oh yes. And I think Spiller is better than Bijan.

LJ will be the featured back. With Anias gone you might see Achane split out for a few plays and take on the role of versatility and share the RB carries with the 215 pounder.

Disclaimer: I am an idiot, especially about sports.

Spiller and Achane split their plays 60-40. Bijan and Johnson have split their plays 80-20. The only sip game I have watched was on Saturday and it likely ended Bijan's season. I just expect that if be is gone then it's either out west or 35N. Of course I would embrace him if he ended up here next year.

We don't have a RB recruit for 2022 yet. Whoever that ends up being could easily be the #2 back.

wbt5845 said:

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We don't have a RB recruit for 2022 yet. Whoever that ends up being could easily be the #2 back.

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Highly doubt any 2022 recruit will pass LJ on the depth chart.

Jimbo's offense is fairly flexible and he does a good job of fitting it to his personnel. While at FSU he only had one or two years where one back had over half the carries (and that was Dalvin Cook). He prefers to use players based on their unique abilities.

Given this I would not expect Achane to become a 20+ carry back. I don't know he is built for that workload and I doubt that is the optimal strategy given the depth at RB.

I expect CJ and Daniels to get a lot of carries and Achane to be the end of game/home run hitter and possibly expand into more of a pass catcher similar to Smith.

I'm cautiously optimistic that Deondre Jackson can contribute.

My guess is It's going to be achane with Daniels and LJ sharing the backup load

So 60-70% achane and 330-40% Daniels and LJ with one of them possibly separating from other as the season goes on to become the featured number 2 back behind achane

TboneAggie said:

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LJ will be the featured back. With Anias gone you might see Achane split out for a few plays and take on the role of versatility and share the RB carries with the 215 pounder.

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Agreed LJ will be the starter, much like we see with Spiller. Archane will absolutely be a featured back but it he is not an every down back.

LJ will serves as Spillers replacement for every downs....Archane comes for a change of pace once LJ bruises the opposing defense. I love this two back approach!

I don't see much, if any, of a compromise. In fact, our O line should only be better.

Bijan is a pipe dream but he would be an insanely good replacement for Spiller. Doubt Fisher wants to add that drama to the RB room though.

The script has been perfect. You have two superiorly skilled running backs, two years apart, have zero concern about touches. High character guys. Achane has earned every bit if attention he'll get next season being a feature back. If he stays healthy, and with the health of a potential league best line, he could have a Hesiman type season. Will be hella fun to watch.

Ideally, a college running back with professional aspirations wants to get just enough carries to showcase his talents without putting too many miles on the odometer.

Spiller is a three year starter but still hasn't hit 600 carries.

Bachelor99 said:

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not sure achane can handle the weekly grind of SEC football with multiple 20+ carry games....i dont think he can handle the work load like a spiller....hopefully LJ and amari can pick up the slack...

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I think I agree with this. I think Achane's role is perfect. I would bet LJ gets the 60 and Achane 40.

I think it's really hard for a kid to be a feature back in the SEC under 200lbs. I would be afraid the very element Achane brings could be sacrificed if he's constantly dinged.

I will also say that I think, watching his film, LJ Johnson might just be perfect for Jimbo's offense. He is a downhill, one cut guy that gets vertical quickly. He has a chance to be phenomenal

Whoever can block will be the feature back with Achane.

In jumbos offense, the RB needs to know how to block otherwise they are a liability.

1) How quickly we forget Achane runs with enough power to outmuscle SEC linebackers like they're DBs

2) I'm thinking we'll see LJ break out against PV and offer a teaser of next year

Achane is 5'9, 185. He should be getting less than half the touches. He lacks the size to take a pounding.

Spiller and probably more so Kenyon Green are going to be tough to replace. The running game has really taken off since 55 moved back to LG.

TboneAggie said:

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LJ will be the featured back. With Anias gone you might see Achane split out for a few plays and take on the role of versatility and share the RB carries with the 215 pounder.

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This. LJ was recruited to be our feature back. In 2022, he will get the same number of carries Spiller had in 2020 which is A LOT