2026 Position Preview: Experience and Depth Lead the Running Backs
8/12/2026 10:32:00 AM | Football
Experience and depth headline Coastal Carolina's running back room entering the 2026 season, giving the Chanticleers a veteran presence in the backfield.
The Chanticleers return a pair of productive running backs in sophomores Jevon Edwards and Dominic Lee-Knicely. The duo combined for 756 rushing yards and four touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry as true freshmen in 2025, providing a strong foundation for the offense entering preseason camp.
Lee-Knicely appeared in all 13 games during his freshman campaign, rushing for 388 yards and three touchdowns while adding 12 receptions for 99 yards and another score. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry and showed his big-play ability with runs of 52 and 59 yards during the season. Edwards also played in every game, totaling 368 rushing yards and one touchdown while matching Lee-Knicely's 5.7-yard average on the ground. He added seven receptions and demonstrated the explosiveness to create big plays throughout the season.
The room became even deeper through the transfer portal with the additions of Daelen Alexander, Jaden Allen-Hendrix and Kente Edwards. Alexander enters his first season in Conway after rushing for a career-high 392 yards and two touchdowns at Rice last season, while Allen-Hendrix arrives from Oklahoma State following two seasons with the Cowboys after starring at Irmo High School in South Carolina. Edwards joins the Chanticleers after a record-setting season at Lafayette, where he earned First Team All-Patriot League honors after rushing for 1,454 yards and a school-record 20 touchdowns in 2025.
Breyahn Townsend also returns after appearing in nine games last season, while Myrtle Beach native Joe Ober provides additional depth after redshirting during his true freshman campaign in 2025.
The Chanticleers return a pair of productive running backs in sophomores Jevon Edwards and Dominic Lee-Knicely. The duo combined for 756 rushing yards and four touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry as true freshmen in 2025, providing a strong foundation for the offense entering preseason camp.
Lee-Knicely appeared in all 13 games during his freshman campaign, rushing for 388 yards and three touchdowns while adding 12 receptions for 99 yards and another score. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry and showed his big-play ability with runs of 52 and 59 yards during the season. Edwards also played in every game, totaling 368 rushing yards and one touchdown while matching Lee-Knicely's 5.7-yard average on the ground. He added seven receptions and demonstrated the explosiveness to create big plays throughout the season.
The room became even deeper through the transfer portal with the additions of Daelen Alexander, Jaden Allen-Hendrix and Kente Edwards. Alexander enters his first season in Conway after rushing for a career-high 392 yards and two touchdowns at Rice last season, while Allen-Hendrix arrives from Oklahoma State following two seasons with the Cowboys after starring at Irmo High School in South Carolina. Edwards joins the Chanticleers after a record-setting season at Lafayette, where he earned First Team All-Patriot League honors after rushing for 1,454 yards and a school-record 20 touchdowns in 2025.
Breyahn Townsend also returns after appearing in nine games last season, while Myrtle Beach native Joe Ober provides additional depth after redshirting during his true freshman campaign in 2025.
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