Sophomore quarterback Cooper Rush passes the ball off to freshman running back Devon Spalding during the Chippewas
When Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls left the Central Michigan football team after the 2014 season, people questioned who would pick up the slack.
In 2015, CMU ranked last in the Mid-American Conference in rushing offense, averaging 101.3 yards per game on the ground. Opponents outrushed CMU 1,810 to 1,317.
After spring practice season, the Chippewas believe they have some answers.
Senior Jahray Hayes, junior Devon Spalding and sophomore Romello Ross — who rushed for a team-high 100 yards in last season’s Quick Lane Bowl — are among the leaders competing for the starting running back job next season.