Deep running back corps should be a strength for the Salukis next fall
- Tom Weber
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois returns 87 percent of its rushing output from last season, plus it’s added a few more weapons to the arsenal for what should be a dynamic ground game next fall.
The headliner for the running game is, of course, quarterback DJ Williams, who accounted for a team-high 847 rushing yards, yet the backfield behind him is stacked, as well.
The elusive Ed Robinson (5-11, 193, Jr.) produced 655 yards and led the conference in rushing average (7.2) in 2025. He showed off his versatility by adding 19 catches out of the backfield, an aspect of his game the offense plans to build upon in ’26.
“Ed can play a little bit of wide receiver in the slot,” said head coach and offensive coordinator Nick Hill. “We'll work on that throughout the spring to see what our guys have a good feel for.”
Chandler Chapman (5-11, 210, Sr.) added 465 yards with a 6.0-yard average, plus six rushing touchdowns — tops among SIU’s running backs. Lem Wash (5-10, 220, Sr.) picked up the tough yards in the red zone with 112 yards and three TDs, and has taken some reps as a lead blocker this spring. Jimmy Athans (5-8, 192, Sr.) also averaged 6.0 yards in limited duty last year.
“Every year is different in how you're going to try to attack teams and move the football,” Hill said. “With the different pieces that we have, it allows us to run the same schemes, but out of different personnels. It might mean more 20 personnel (2 running backs) or it could be three running backs on the field at the same time, because those guys' strengths are a little bit different.”
The Salukis have a couple of exciting freshmen to keep an eye on. Redshirt freshman Quade Chatmon (6-0, 205) has shown explosiveness this spring, and Jaden McCaster (5-8, 183, Fr.) led the state of Missouri with 22 rushing touchdowns last year. DJ Welch (5-8, 163) is a redshirt freshman who played for Saluki alum Korey Lindsey at Liberty Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, La.
“There's a couple more guys in there that have a chance to contribute,” Hill said. “Quade has a chance to be a really good player, and Jaden is here as a true freshman, and he’ll get an opportunity.”
Spring is a good time to experiment with personnel and formations, Hill said.
“Let's take a good look at some new concepts to make sure we get some good film on it,” Hill explained. “Do we like it? And then you get into the summer, and if this is a big strength of ours, maybe we need to expand this.”
“You're constantly trying to find those things that fit your personnel,” he added. “There were things we ran last fall that we never ran last spring, and it ended up being a really good scheme that we ran throughout the season.”
The ultimate goal is to take full advantage of all your available talent.
“You're not a good coach if you have your best player standing on the sideline,” Hill said.
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