Training Camp Position Preview: Running Backs
8/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Throughout the month of August, LibertyFlames.com will run a series of interviews with each of Liberty's position coaches, getting further insight in each position leading into the 2015 season.
LibertyFlames.com continues its position previews today with a look at the Flames' running backs, one of several offensive positions loaded with returning star power.
Head Coach Turner Gill is the envy of most coaches in the country as he returns two running backs who combined to rush for 2,256 yards and 31 touchdowns in their last seasons of play.
During a practice following Liberty's annual spring football game in 2014, All-Big South running back Desmond Rice suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire season. During his junior year (2013), Rice rushed for 967 yards and recorded the second highest single-season rushing touchdown total in program history (16).
With Rice on the sidelines, D.J. Abnar took full advantage of his playing time in 2014. He earned All-Big South first team honors after rushing for 1,289 yards and 15 touchdowns. Abnar was a workhorse for the Flames, rushing the ball 292 times, marking the second highest single-season total in program history.
Entering 2015, both Abnar and Rice are at a full strength, giving Liberty one of the most potent backfields in the country. Abnar was listed as the starter at running back on the post spring practice depth chart; however, both seniors shared equal practice time with the No. 1 offense all during spring practice.
Sophomore Todd Macon also benefited from extra playing time in 2014. He finished his first year on the field second on the team with 266 rushing yards, along with 61 carries and three touchdowns. Macon suffered an injury himself in 2014, missing six games thought the middle of the season.
Adding depth behind Macon, will be senior Austin Kaigler, sophomore Carrington Mosley and freshman Frankie Hickson. Kaigler has the most experience in the group, having appeared in 13 of 14 games in 2014 and with 22 career games played.
Running Backs Positions at a Glance:
(Depth Chart leading into August Training Camp)
Starters
D.J. Abnar (Sr., 5-10, 185)
Back-Ups
Austin Kaigler (Sr., 5-9, 200)
Todd Macon (So., 5-10, 210)
Carrington Mosley (So., 5-11, 225)
Desmond Rice (R-Sr., 5-8, 195)
Reserve
Frankie Hickson (Fr., 5-8, 195)
Practice Update:
Head Coach Turner Gill gave his team the day off on Monday, allowing his players to get acclimated to the rigors of academic life on the first day of full classes for the academic year. Liberty will hold its first full in-season practice of the year on Tuesday afternoon.
LibertyFlames.com's coverage of the Flames' August training camp continues tomorrow when the website continues its Big South opponent series by looking at Charleston Southern.
