Who better to assess NIU’s running back situation than someone who sees the players and their work ethic they have in training daily?

Matt Mangum, NIU’s head strength and conditioning coach, said if he had to choose one back to replace All-American Michael Turner, it would be junior A.J. Harris.

“He has experience, and he’s so explosive,” Mangum said of Harris. “Out of the group, he’s had the most time here. He just has a persona like he’s training to be the lead dog. A.J. just does everything super intense; he just gets in and gets out. He’s very businesslike.”

There are three running backs in line for the job along with 6-foot, 217-pound Harris. They are 5-foot-5, 183-pound junior Adrian Davis; 5-foot-7, 172-pound sophomore Garrett Wolfe; and 6-foot-2, 215-pound redshirt freshman Cas Prime.

“They all like to lift. They are very competitive,” Mangum said of the group. “At the D-I level currently, you can’t just go off talent; you’ve got to have a good work ethic, too. Unless your natural talent is exceptional, you really need to work year-round to separate yourself. They are all hard workers.

“A.J. Harris is one of the most explosive athletes we have. Cas for a freshman is doing an outstanding job. Garrett for his size is very very strong. Adrian just loves to lift; he’s a muscle head.”

Redshirt freshman Foster Chambers and junior Jeremy Pugh also will challenge for carries.