Returning Starters
Michael Fredrick, Jr., Miami, Fla.
 
Returning Letterwinners
Paul Anderson, Jr., West Park, Fla.
 
Redshirts
Ben Klett, R-Fr., Lake Zurich, Ill.
Ethan Falaniko, R-Fr., Anchorage, Alaska
Joe Schlager, R-Fr., McCook, Neb. (injured in spring)
Brandon Thull, R-Fr., Kewaskum, Wis.
 
Newcomers
Lincoln Gibbs, Fr., Claremont, S.D.
Kai Henry, Fr., Miami, Fla.
 
Michael Fredrick has ran for 980 yards while averaging four yards a tote over the last two seasons as half of the Coyotes' 1-2 duo. With four-year letter winner Trevor Bouma graduated, Fredrick enters the fall as the proven No. 1 for the first time.
 
No other running back on the Coyotes' roster has attempted a carry! Paul Anderson has been the Coyotes' top return man since he arrived, and transitioned from wide receiver to running back ahead of the 2016 campaign. Ben Klett, Ethan Falaniko and Brandon Thull are redshirt freshmen. Lincoln Gibbs and Kai Henry are true freshmen. All are competing for carries behind Fredrick.
 
Running Backs Coach Phil Ockinga
"Michael is our top guy coming into training camp and he is the only one with experience. He put 10 pounds on in the offseason. His knowledge has increased tremendously in his second year in this system. He can tell you what every single receiver does, and can make checks for the o-line. He is ready to go. You can see the confidence he has now, and the extra strength and weight will make an impact on his success this season."
 
"We have 3-4 other guys who are rotating consistently. I think it will be a situation where we play quite a few guys this year in the hopes of finding a hot hand, and keeping the unit healthy as a whole. I think they all deserve to be a big part of the game plan."
 
"In an up-tempo offense, you typically would go with smaller guys, but we have a couple of big backs in Ben Klett and Ethan Falaniko that run really well. To succeed in this offense, you need to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, you have to be great in protection, and you have to get downhill quickly. We have some big bodies behind Fredrick, and I'll take an extra 50 pounds any day."