FAU football will feature plenty of new running backs at the position group seeking to make their first real impact at the college level.
The calendar has officially flipped to July, meaning the college football season is approaching! Teams will soon get their seasons underway, eliminating projections and predictions in exchange for accurate results and outcomes. All eyes will be on Saturdays as fans watch their favorite teams nationwide. But there is still time before the real games arrive. In the case of Florida Atlantic, that is very beneficial. Along with their quarterback room, the AAC member has a raw yet talented group of unproven running backs. In their quest to return to winning ways, FAU football must rely upon their young running backs in 2024.
But who are the players who will contribute to the Owls? Follow along as we preview who will be leading the FAU running back room this season.
The Projected Starter: Zuberi Mobley
At this current juncture, Mobley is considered the veteran of the position group.
The running back has appeared in parts of three seasons, receiving limited work in 2021 and 2023 but getting over 100 carries in 2022. In that season, Mobley had 531 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. He had 36 missed tackles forced, 14 runs of ten yards or more, and averaged 3.02 yards after contact.
Mobley is not much of a receiver, having only 84 yards and one touchdown in those categories over his three collegiate seasons.
However, he fits exactly what the Owls need in 2024. With a dual-threat quarterback like Cameron Fancher, Mobley’s downhill running style could be a great compliment. He has much to prove in 2024, but the upperclassman is in an excellent opportunity to make a name for himself.
The Explosive Transfer: CJ Campbell Jr.
If Mobley is the bruiser, then Campbell Jr. is the all-around back waiting in the wings.
Transferring over from the Florida State Seminoles, Campbell Jr. rarely saw extensive game action. He has only registered 25 rushing attempts over two seasons in a mainly reserve role.
Yet, the former walk-on made the most of his opportunities. Campbell Jr. had 181 yards and a yards-per-attempt average of 7.2 through both 2022 and 2023. He had 102 yards after contact, two runs over ten yards, and five missed tackels forced in his 2023 season.
Additionally, the redshirt junior has a pass-catching ability that he has yet to display at the collegiate level. Campbell Jr. had 422 receiving yards and four touchdowns during his senior year at Bay High School in Florida.
Combined with Mobely and Fancher in the backfield, Campbell could help create one of the more formidable rushing attacks in the AAC if he capitalizes on his own potential.
The Projectable Third-Stringer: Xavier Terrell
Mobley and Campbell Jr. are poised to lead the FAU backfield, but the Owls have a fun third option in redshirt freshman Xavier Terrell.
Terrell attended high school at St. Thomas Aquinas, where he had over 1,000 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in his career. He also spent time at IMG Acadamy, where he posted 1,670 yards and 21 scores through nine games for the school’s white team.
At the collegiate level, Terrell has shown bits of the player he could become. He ripped off a 35-yard run against Rice and provided two receptions against Tulane the week prior, showcasing dual-threat ability on offense.
The underclassman’s impact will likely come down the line for FAU, as Terrell still has to develop and get comfortable at the next level. If he puts his talent together, he will be a lethal offensive weapon for the Owls this year and in the future.
