VIDEO: Josh Turner Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the third part in an eight-part series breaking down Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2021 campaign. This preview analyzes the running backs with the assistance of position coach Josh Turner.
Carson-Newman must contend with the graduation of the program's third all-time leading rusher Antonio Wimbush and his 4,003 yards and 43 career touchdowns. However, the cupboard is far from bare for Turner.
"It's definitely a fun room to be in," Turner said. "There's a lot of guys who have the ability to play who have shown and been productive for us in the past who then went and did stuff this spring. There's a lot of competition."
The league's offensive freshman of the year Troy Dendy is back after rushing for 27 yards in the Eagles' spring game at Wise. However, his numbers from 2019 are far more impressive. Dendy exploded onto the scene in his first season as an Eagle. The Laurens, S.C., native rushed for 700 yards on 85 carries, accounting for six touchdowns.
He has powered his way to a trio of 100-yard performances, including a 23-carry, 200-yard performance en route to South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week honors at Limestone. The 200-yard day against Limestone registered as the 37th all-time 200-yard rushing performance in Carson-Newman football history, and the first by a freshman.
He also had a seven-carry, 149-yard, two-touchdown day against UNC Pembroke that earned him player of the week honors from the league. Dendy broke the 100-yard barrier against Mars Hill on Nov. 2 with 110 yards on 12 carries.
The Eagles add in Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J.), a transfer from New Haven, who tallied 24 yards rushing against UVA Wise in the spring.
McCarthy is coming off a 781-yard rushing season for the Chargers. He carried the ball 1553 times and scored five touchdowns en route to helping New Haven to a first-round NCAA playoff win over West Chester.
He started 19 career games for the Chargers and has 1,574 career rushing yards.
"They are all incredibly hard workers and selfless," Turner said. "They are not so into themselves that they have to be the guy with the ball. Ryan is the one who sprung Drake on an isolation run at Wise. Troy did the same thing for Michael Paul. They all have their own special little gifts when it comes to running the ball."
Aside from Dendy and McCarthy, both Sherron Jackson (Miami, Fla.) and Drake McCowan (Dalton, Ga.) have starting experience and 100-yard rushing performances to their names within their Carson-Newman career.
McCowan was C-N's leading rusher from the spring game against wise when he bounced for a 23-yard score and rushed 11 times for 62 yards.
Jackson was third on the team in rushing in 2018, tallying 561 yards on 79 carries with six touchdowns.
Carson-Newman also expects things from Michael Paul (Bonifay, Fla.), Elijah Davis (Ruskin, Fla.) and Mister Hogue (Oakman, Ala.)
"There's not much difference between them," Turner said. "It'll come down to who makes the least mistakes. The great thing is that they like the competition. They enjoy competing and it brings out the best in them in practice."
Also poised to make an impact are Jayden Sullins (Cullman, Ala.), TJ King (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Jelan Pearson (Ellenwood, Ga.).
King appeared on special teams against UVA Wise in the spring, making a tackle. He played at William Blount and transferred in from Tennessee Tech. Pearson comes into his second full season at C-N after winning four football titles at Eagles' Landing in Ellenwood, Ga.
Carson-Newman's football position previews continue Tuesday with the wide receivers.
