A week before spring football practice begins, ODUSports.com will preview each position. Today we preview the running backs.
Running Back Overview
ODU graduated Jeremy Cox but returns a host of experienced ball carriers, starting with senior Kesean Strong. Strong led the Monarchs with 499 yards and was seventh in Conference USA with 55.4 yards per game. He scored nine rushing touchdowns and is also a threat in the pass game, as he’s also the leading returning receiver with 21 catches for 177-yards and two scores.
Old Dominion took advantage of the new four-game redshirt rule as Lala Davis and Will Knight played in four games apiece, combining to rush for 249-yards and still redshirt. Davis carried 35 times for 131-yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner against North Texas. Knight rushed 27 times for 118-yards and caught seven passes for 95-yards.
Walk-on Matt Geiger finished third on the squad in rushing last season, carrying the rock 39 times for 212-yards and three scores. He rushed for 91-yards and three touchdowns against VMI and led the team with 68-yards in the finale at Rice.
Junior Brandon Sinclair returns after rushing for 81-yards on 18 attempts last year. The junior is also a standout on special teams, recording three tackles.
Key Departure
Jeremy Cox graduated as ODU's second all-time leading rusher with 2,175 yards. He rushed for 453-yards and five scored in an injury riddled 2018 campaign. Cox also had sure hands out of the backfield catching 24 passes last season.
RB's By the Numbers
| Name | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | Misc. | ||
| Lala Davis | Fr-r. | 5-10 | 210 | Rushed for 137-yards and 4 TD's. 50-yards and 2 TD's vs. NT | ||
| Matt Geiger | So-r. | 5-10 | 180 | Walk-on third on team with 212-yards. 90+ yards last 2 games | ||
| Will Knight | Fr-r. | 5-10 | 210 | Had 118-yards and a TD. Had 70-yards against Marshall | ||
| Brandon Sinclair | Jr-r. | 5-10 | 205 | Totaled 81-yards in 2018. Key player on special teams | ||
| Kesean Strong | Sr-r. | 5-10 | 195 | Leading rusher in 2018 with 499-yards and 9 TD's. Two, 100-yards games |