Running back Jordan Wilkins runs the ball past Boise State linebacker Ben Weaver during Thursday’s game. (DM Photo/Thomas Graning)
When you look at the rushing stats from the season opener against Boise State last Thursday, you don’t see much.
The stat line reads a total of 71 rushing yards on the ground on 34 attempts, averaging 2.1 yards per rush; a sub-par performance at best.
The running game is something the Rebels need to improve if they want to win games in the Southeastern Conference, where a strong running game is key to survival.
He may not have been the leading rusher on the team last Thursday, but redshirt freshman Jordan Wilkins had the most significant runs of the game, where he bruised and battered his way for key first downs to move drives on offense.
A bruiser in the backfield is something the Rebels have been lacking on offense for the past couple of years.
The stat line was not eye-popping for the Memphis native either, as he only had five carries for 21 yards, but his quarterback seems to have taken notice how important he can be for this offense.
“He had a big third down run where he pushed the pile,” quarterback Bo Wallace said. “He’s physical. He’s done a great job from his freshman year to this year in his physicality of the run game. He’s going to be a weapon for us. We just have to get a better push on the offensive line.”
Wilkins had to redshirt his freshman year because of a significant leg injury he suffered his senior year of high school. The healing process took a while for him, but he is ready and feels healthy after redshirting.
“I said I was ready last year, but I probably wasn’t,” Wilkins said. “It was really the mental aspect of it, getting back to 100 percent. Physically I was there, but I didn’t have it mentally.”
He added that the injury he suffered is in the back of his mind, and he focuses on his job as a running back every day.
Wilkins was known as a power running back coming out of high school and was one of the most talented running backs to come from the 2013 recruiting class. However, his role as just a power runner may change if he keeps on continuing to produce more in the backfield.
“Whenever they tell me I can run hard or get out of the backfield and catch passes, so whatever they need me to do,” Wilkins said. “Whether it’s run up the middle and get the hard yards or if they need me to catch passes, I can do it.”
Head coach Hugh Freeze likes to use his top two running backs for most of the carries in juniors Jaylen Walton and I’tavius Mathers, but guys like Wilkins bring a different dimension to the offense, and his production Thursday can lead to a bigger role.
“I, of course, want to show myself more, but I felt for my first game it was good,” he said. “I’ll come out and do better as the season goes on and keep showing my talent, but I was pleased with how I played Thursday.”
Wilkins admitted that it was tough to sit out his freshman year and redshirt, but it helped him develop and grow as a player in the long run.
“I was upset at first. I mean everybody wants to come in and play. I’ve never had to sit out for anything,” Wilkins said. “It took a while and it hungered me, but I came back stronger and it helped me a lot in the future.”
-Dylan Rubino
