Each year at this time, GoBlackKnights.com identifies players that we feel are poised for a breakout season. To be eligible for consideration the player must not have been a regular starter in the previous season. Most of our selections have played just enough in the past to get our attention but not enough to be well known by casual Army fans.
We open the 2022 Breakout series with a look at the slotbacks. One of the returning slotbacks, Tyrell Robinson, is well past his breakout season and one of the most exciting offensive weapons in college football. But the departure of AJ Howard and Brandon Walters left an opening for another slotback to share the limelight.
We going out on a limb with our first pick of the series. We expect to see some stiff competition among three candidates for the second slotback spot. Senior Brahaem Murphy has the most experience with 294 snaps last season, and we’re watching the progress of senior Maurice Bellan’s move from quarterback to slotback. Bellan had just 3 snaps last season, all at quarterback, so we have no basis to evaluate his potential as a slotback, but we think he’ll adapt to the change well. Then you have junior Ay’ Juan Marshall.
Frankly, we think that all three competitors have the potential for a breakout this year, but Marshall is our choice to focus on.
Why We Think Marshall will Breakout:
Marshall had 96 snaps in 6 games in 2020 and 128 snaps in 6 games in 2021. Marshall had just 1 rushing attempt for 10 yards and 1 reception for 22 yards in 2021, but he appears likely to become a regular part of the slotback rotation this coming season.
What He’s Capable Of:
At a roster height of 5-11 and weight of 187, Marshall is the largest of the returning slotbacks, but not by all that much. Marshall earned an overall rating of 70.6 last season, and his highest rating was in run blocking with a 71.6. With Robinson in the backfield, the second slotback is likely to be called upon to block more often than to carry the ball. That was the role that Walters and Howard excelled at last season, and Marshall is our early choice to play the role of the blocking slotback in 2022.
Like all the slotbacks, Marshall has enough speed to turn the corner on a pitchout, but we won’t expect him to bump Robinson from the unofficial title of Mr. Outside.
What Could Stand in His Way:
Barring injuries, we would expect to see Robinson start every game this season; so the only realistic opportunity for a breakout will be at the second slotback position. Marshall will have a lot of competition from Murphy and Bellan in the fall camp, and the slotback position is one that plebes have a better chance at as well.
GBK’s Prediction:
At this time we don’t know which of the three competitors will be playing A-back and which will be playing T-back, or whether those two positions are considered interchangeable, but that could have an impact on their playing time. One of the three will most likely occupy the backup slot behind Robinson on the depth chart, and will see less playing time than the other two who we expect to see sharing snaps and starts. Even if Marshall doesn’t become a regular starter, he’ll be a major contributor in 2022. We expect to see a significant increase in his snap count s well as a rise in the individual statistics charts.
