Temple backfield continues to search for the sweet spot in its committee approach

For the first time under Rod Carey’s tutelage, Temple’s backfield will take a running back by committee approach.

The third-year coach hasn’t previously had the depth to dole out live reps to a two- or three-man rotation. His expectation is that will change this year but could vary on a game-to-game basis.

“It’ll be interesting to see how this thing unfolds because we will certainly use a rotation, you just can’t get to the point where you’re using four,” Carey said. “I certainly think we could be in that situation where four are worthy. You just can’t use four in a game. No one gets into a flow and there aren’t enough reps.”

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Although that rotation isn’t set in stone yet, a few names have popped up as legitimate contenders for significant carries in preseason camp. In the eyes of running backs coach Gabe Infante, no two backs in the room are alike.

Edward Saydee has received the most praise out of the group. Infante said if he had to pick one standout thus far, it would be the redshirt freshman running back because he’s been the most consistent performer dating to spring practice.

Tayvon Ruley, the most tenured of the running backs, could be an important part of the rotation despite recovering from a shoulder injury that required surgery after last season. The redshirt senior and elder statesman in the backfield saw his workload jump midway through the Owls’ shortened schedule.

Ruley saw his role increase after Re’Mahn Davis was suspended and subsequently left the program. His best performance came at Central Florida when he gained 90 yards on 23 attempts.

“You definitely need to use at least two, if not three, going into a game,” Infante said. “I think that’s probably a safe number. This is a very fluid situation depending on what you’re doing with the roles of those backs that day. Are we having them run? Are we having them in pass protection? Do we want to spread them out? I think then that becomes the question of how you rotate those guys in and how many you need available.”

Ra’Von Bonner, who transferred from Illinois, is starting to get a better feel as he picks up on the Owls’ scheme, according to Infante. And Florida transfer Iverson Clement is away from the team because of personal reasons but could carve out a role down the line.

Kyle Dobbins and Trey Blair also return to the fold with new prospects.

Dobbins, a redshirt sophomore entering his third season, said he spent this summer bulking and getting more comfortable with the playbook. Infante raved about his fluidity with the ball in his hands.

Blair was moved from safety to running back heading into fall camp — a welcome transition for the second-year playmaker who has shown an ability to work well in space.

“We’re blessed with probably the most depth we’ve had at that position since I’ve been here,” Infante said. “I think like most teams in America, as the season starts you try to get a feel for what we do well as an offense and what direction we’re heading in as an offense, then certain people’s skill sets will become more valuable than others.

“I think depending on how that materializes during the year as an offense, certain guys will be more in demand than others at other times. I think the depth allows us the ability to pivot and be flexible and dynamic in that way.”

Temple’s offense saw one back take a majority of the reps over the last two years. But while there’s now a group in the backfield that continues to improve, no player has separated themselves from the pack, according to Carey. Although Saydee has taken a bulk of the reps and been “the most durable,” a committee approach is a more likely plan once the season kicks off.

Whether Temple’s offense is best situated with two backs splitting the carries or three being plugged into certain situations will be one of the looming questions.

“The sweet spot,” Infante said, half-jokingly, “is whatever Coach Carey says is the sweet spot.”