BYU operating again Jackson McChesney runs previous Idaho State linebacker Kody Graves (25) at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. McChesney is certainly one of 5 - 6 operating backs with expertise within the Cougars’ backfield in 2022. Laura Seitz, Deseret Information
The final time Jackson McChesney carried the soccer for BYU, he dragged a USC defender into the tip zone on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from seven yards out to present the game-winning landing in a 35-31 Cougars victory.
That punishing run accomplished a string of three straight carries for McChesney, who was within the recreation as a result of star RB Tyler Allgeier had been dinged up midway by means of the drive and was on the sideline recovering. McChesney’s three carries for 17 yards that late November evening in Tinseltown appeared to sign that his star was on the rise, though they had been solely his twelfth, thirteenth and 14th carries of the season.
Though McChesney didn't get any carries within the bowl recreation, Allgeier declared for the 2022 NFL draft precisely a month later and the competitors to be RB1 at BYU in 2022 seemed to be a race between McChesney, returning fifth-year senior Lopini Katoa, junior school switch Hinckley Ropati and transformed receiver Miles Davis.
“Yeah, all people needs the soccer. Everyone needs carries. I'm simply doing every little thing I can to be that man, and in the event that they decide somebody over me and I nonetheless do the very best I can, I received’t be upset.” — BYU reserve operating again Jackson McChesney
Per week later, nonetheless, Cal graduate switch tailback Christopher Brooks signed with the Cougars (together with Stanford fullback Houston Heimuli), and BYU’s operating backs group abruptly had a clearcut favourite for the workhorse operating again position.
Brooks appeared the half in spring camp as properly, drawing rave critiques from coaches and teammates alike — even the returning guys resembling McChesney, Davis and Katoa.
“I wouldn’t wish to attempt to deal with him,” Davis mentioned.
McChesney, who completed final season with 14 carries for 64 yards and the USC TD, mentioned he's remaining affected person and is assured his time will come.
“Yeah, all people needs the soccer,” he mentioned the ultimate week of spring practices. “Everyone needs carries. I'm simply doing every little thing I can to be that man, and in the event that they decide somebody over me and I nonetheless do the very best I can, I received’t be upset.”
Like Davis, McChesney is recovering from a foot damage that reduce quick his second season. He suffered a Lisfranc damage within the 2020 opener in opposition to Navy, carrying the ball 11 occasions for 56 yards in that 55-3 win, and didn’t see the sphere once more till Oct. 9, 2021, in opposition to Boise State. Having rushed for 274 yards his freshman season, together with a BYU freshman-record 228 yards in opposition to UMass in 2019, he now has 394 dashing yards in his profession.
“It's onerous (not taking part in extra), however I gotta assist my teammates and assist the coaches’ choices,” he mentioned. “I simply do my finest to maintain my head on my shoulders and preserve shifting ahead, preserve working onerous.”
McChesney mentioned getting back from a Lisfranc damage is tough and that he nonetheless feels some ache in his foot virtually daily. He has sought recommendation from former Cougars who've handled a Lisfranc, guys resembling Taysom Hill and Moroni Laulu-Pututau.
“They are saying you will really feel it throughout video games, however then it simply disappears and also you get by means of it,” McChesney mentioned.
Will the 2022 season be his final in Provo?
“I believe it simply depends upon how the season goes,” he mentioned. “I might play yet another, two extra, or all three seasons. It simply depends upon how every little thing performs out.”
Operating backs coach Harvey Unga mentioned McChesney and Katoa have dealt with the addition of Brooks properly in spring camp. Their reps have been restricted as coaches get guys resembling Brooks and Davis extra accustomed to the offense.
“Cheese (McChesney) and Pini have been right here. They know the offense,” Unga mentioned. “I'm not nervous about them. I do know what they're able to. I do know that they know what to do when their quantity known as.”
One other BYU operating again who was placing up massive numbers earlier than an damage, Sione Finau, entered the switch portal seeking higher alternatives elsewhere.
“I haven’t heard the place Sione will go,” Unga mentioned. “There have been lots of completely different groups which have reached out, and stuff. I don’t know precisely what he needs to do, however I want him properly and can communicate with him about that.”
I am simply attempting to get somebody to have a look at me like this USC participant appears to be like at McChesney pic.twitter.com/UXbPeq0vyw
— Shane (@ShaneJohnson91) November 28, 2021
Unga mentioned the underside line is that he feels good about this RBs group, particularly with its expertise.
“Final yr, we had been fairly deep, however there wasn’t lots of expertise,” he mentioned. “Miles is aware of the offense much more. Folau (Ropati) is aware of the offense much more. Cheese and Pini know the offense fully. Then you definately add a man like Chris to the combination, and clearly it simply makes issues so much higher. I really feel much more comfy than final yr.”
As for McChesney, he watched final Friday’s professional day actions with curiosity, particularly making observe of the Cougars’ occasions within the 40-yard sprint. Can he beat the 4.48-second time that receiver Samson Nacua put down?
“I believe so, completely,” mentioned the previous Lone Peak Excessive speedster. “In highschool, I used to be operating the 4.4s, however I haven’t ran one since I've been right here at BYU. I believe so, as a result of I'm stronger and quicker than I used to be in highschool.”
USC’s defenders can attest to that.