.... ALL MAC 1st team:... Ouellette .....
...I suspect that our RBs are going to be significantly better than Steele is projecting.
... I wonder if Steele mentions Maleek Irons. ...
I look at Maleek as OUr secret weapon......
OU RBs rated #4 in MAC by Steele.
With the RB that Steele considers the best in the MAC, and yet only the fourth best RB group, that strongly indicates that he isn't super impressed with the backups. Remember that Irons didn't play in 2017, so if someone doesn't follow the program closely, they won't know who he is, other than his stats. From the outside, here is how it looks:
Irons 637 yards on 128 carries, 4.98/carry, 9 TDs
Ross 211 yards on 54 carries, 3.9/carry, 3 TDs
Irons has decent stats, but nothing to make you think that he has the potential to have a really awesome season, which I think he does. He sees the field very well, and he's fast, so he's very dangerous after he gets by the line of scrimmage. Dorian Brown had those same traits, and racked up over 600 yards and a 6.1 yard/carry average. Last year the offensive line was very good, so Brown ran wild in a few games.
This year I think the offensive line will be even better, and I think that plays really well into Irons' strengths, and he's going to surprise some people, including Steele. I have always been a believer that Irons has major potential, and I think this year he's going to unleash it. He's got nothing to lose, and no reason to hold back. I expect him to run low into first contact, and if he breaks through, and he often will, he'll use his speed and ability to see the field to make big plays happen.
In my opinion, the tandem of Ouellette and Irons is going to be a load for other teams to stop, and both are going to get some serious yards this year. After those two pound on opposing defense, the smaller, fast Ross will also get some yards.