Can running back Rickey Hunt become the next Mid-American Conference superstar?
We all know that cliche saying, “when opportunity knocks, you answer”. It is used often in the sport of college football, but not everyone seems to answer the damn door! For Ohio Bobcats RB, Rickey Hunt, he made sure to close out the 2023 season with bang. Hunt had 17 attempts for 115 yards, and 5 total touchdowns in the Myrtle Beach Bowl against Georgia Southern. Hunt ranked 5th all-time in bowl history with 5 total touchdowns. Did I mention that he was a True Freshman getting his first collegiate start? Hunt had only 6 carries for 19 yards prior to this game, in a blowout victory of Bowling Green!
Opportunity Knocking
The Bobcat’s offense got hit with continuous Mike Tyson body shots before the bowl game. Both RBs Sieh Bangura (Minnesota) & O’Shaan Allison entered the transfer portal, as did QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana). Allison & Bangura accounted for almost 70% of the rushing production for the Bobcats – Rourke was another 11% of the production. That’s 81% of the team’s offensive production disappearing faster than a hotdog in Joey Chestnut’s hands on the 4th of July!
The Bobcats were left with Rickey Hunt, Senior QB Parker Navarro, and Sophomore RB Nolan McCormick to face Georgia Southern. They won convincingly, 41-21.
True freshman 3⭐️ RB Rickey Hunt went OFF in Ohio's 41-21 win over Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl 😲
-15 carries
-133 total yards
-5 total touchdowns (ties all bowl game record)pic.twitter.com/WXXYsMfutk— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 16, 2023
Pretty Rickey Hunt was a major reason for the Bobcats’ victory. He was dominant on the ground, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. This included a long of 40 yards; but Hunt also flashed the receiving skills with a one-hand touchdown grab! The Oklahoma City product gave Bobcats fans a slight taste of things to come – and may have put the MAC conference on notice.
Rickey Hunt didn’t have playing running back in his sights when he was at Millwood HS, it was just by any means necessary! Hunt played quarterback for most of his high school career with the Falcons, before deciding to switch to running back entering his Senior season. Hunt’s ‘just get it done’ mentality was on full display in the game versus Oklahoma Christian his Senior year. Hunt had 145 yards on the ground with 104 through the air, with four TDs including a 70-yard touchdown reception.
With only three years of high school experience (injury Freshman year), Hunt didn’t receive a dump truck worth of offers from colleges, but grabbed some from the likes of Iowa State, South Dakota State, Buffalo, and others, before ultimately committing to the Bobcats on November 6, 2022.
Now, Hunt is in a backfield full of opportunity. The Bobcats averaged over 144 yards per game on the ground under HC Tim Albin. Hunt will get to showcase all his talents.
The former 3-star recruit has top-end speed (11.32 – 100) to go with athleticism, power, and shiftiness. Hunt once made six defenders miss on a QB draw play to get the 1st down. While he does possess the speed to get to the outside, Hunt has no problem running between the tackles, either. He did so in the bowl game multiple times, including a 40-yard touchdown run. He has good vision and patience when coming out the backfield, letting his blocks develop. Having experience as a quarterback definitely helps.
When you sprinkle in the bonus of a dual-threat QB in Parker Navarro and speedy WR Sam Wiglusz, Hunt should see plenty of open lanes and spread fronts to account for the Bobcats’ offensive threats. Returning three starting OLs will help in the 2024 season as the offense will rely on the ground during road games to Syracuse and Kentucky in two of the first four weeks. There’s seven games in OH to close out the season, and that will make for some exciting football!
Rickey Hunt has a ‘Price Is Right’ opportunity this season with Ohio. There will be over 300 voided attempts and 1,300 yards to make up. Just a season ago, former RB Sieh Bangera ran for almost 1,1oo yards and 13 TDs in a conference that has seen eleven 1,000-yard running backs over the past two seasons. Pretty Rickey Hunt is ready to take over the MAC! #OUohyeah
