Deep Stable of Backs Gives Orange Options in Run Game

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Orange will have no shortage of running back depth this season, with senior Moe Neal, redshirt junior Abdul Adams and sophomore Jarveon Howard leading a talented backfield that also includes redshirt sophomore Markenzy Pierre and freshmen Jawhar Jordan and Garrison Johnson.

Entering his fourth year in the program, Neal has been through just about everything there is to experience in college football. Among the items left on his personal agenda is to break the 1,000-yard rushing barrier, which no one has hit at Syracuse since Jerome Smith ran for 1,171 yards in 2012.

He's been working hard to get there, and the greatest asset Neal brings to the team is his versatility. He can score from anywhere on the field. By the same token, he brings a certain spark. When the team needs a big play, he's the guy for the job.

Neal scored a 49-yard touchdown on the first carry of his college career in 2016, and made a spectacular catch-and-run in the fourth quarter of the 2018 Camping World Bowl that set up Syracuse's final touchdown.

Neal, who weighed in at 169 pounds his freshman year, is now up to 195. Gradually packing on that weight has allowed him to be able to run more between the tackles, and Neal led the Orange in rushing last season with 869 yards and five touchdowns.

Adams missed the 2018 regular season after transferring from Oklahoma. Still, he stayed prepared and in shape all year. After he completed his NCAA-mandated year in residency, Adam suited up for the first time in the Camping World Bowl versus West Virginia.

In a limited role against the Mountaineers, Adams ran for 19 yards and scored two touchdowns to give Orange fans a taste of what could be in store with a full season of work.

Adams says the most important traits he brings to Syracuse are his play-making ability and being a great team player. He wants to do anything he possibly can to help the Orange.

"That's always been my mindset and that's what kind of player I am," Adams said. "Anywhere the coaches want to put me, anywhere my teammates feel comfortable having me, I feel like I can help the team."

Although 2019 marks only his second year at Syracuse, Adams has already taken on a leadership role. When he sees someone in need of encouragement, Adams is the first one to give him a pat on the back.

"I try to pick guys up and set a tone of positive energy all around," Adams said.

Adams has matured a lot through his college career. He understands more of the offense now. He's fully recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during spring ball and he's ready to compete with Neal and the other backs for carries.

"To be honest, it's great," Adams said. "We all bring great energy into the room. We all push one another. Even though we're competing, we look at it as we're all brothers, but at the same time we want everyone to get better."

"It's great to compete with other guys who have so much talent," Neal added. "It raises your game. We make each other better every day."

Howard is another weapon in the arsenal. After appearing in 12 games as a true freshman last season, he is ready to take his game to the next level. Howard rushed for 315 yards and seven touchdowns on only 68 carries to finish third on the team in scoring (42 points) in 2018. No longer a rookie, he knows exactly what he needs to do when he steps on the field.

He's had a year to learn the ropes and all the running backs hold one another to a certain standard, Howard said. It helps them grow physically and mentally as people.

Neal is happy to put his experience to use, being a role model for younger players.

"They can come and ask me anything. I've been through everything," Neal said. "It feels good to be that big-brother figure and be the leader in the group."

Now in his second season, Howard continues to learn from the example of the upperclassmen. That means on the field, in the weight room, in team meetings, everywhere.

"The main thing about the whole process is staying humble because you never know when you'll get your chance," Howard said. "When you get out on the field you have to give it everything you've got."

That's sound advice for Pierre, Jordan and Johnson, who are waiting in the wings for their opportunity.

"Being able to compete with your brothers is a great feeling," Neal said. "We always leave it on the field. We never take anything off the field because off the field we're like brothers."

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Syracuse University Athletics

Deep Stable of Backs Gives Orange Options in Run Game

Players Mentioned

Abdul Adams

Jarveon Howard

Garrison Johnson

Jawhar Jordan

Moe Neal

Markenzy Pierre

Jerome Smith

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