Analyzing NC State’s RB room following Jordan Houston’s redshirt

NC State football’s running back rotation received a massive shakeup Thursday when the program announced starting running back Jordan Houston plans to redshirt the remainder of the season.

The senior started each of the Wolfpack’s first three contests of the fall, rushing 25 times for 96 yards.

Over 5 seasons, he racked up 1,392 rushing yards, 398 receiving yards and scored 7 total touchdowns. NC State put out an official statement announcing his decision, and Houston is no longer listed on the online roster, signaling that he is no longer with the team.

“RB Jordan Houston will redshirt the season,” the Wolfpack’s statement read. “He will finish academically this fall and graduate. We wish him all the best.”

Based on what TheWolfpacker.com has gathered from speaking with sources, it sounds like the running back could look to pursue transfer portal opportunities after this season, and this choice was meant to preserve his final season of eligibility.

Here is a look at Houston’s production so far this season and how NC State can now fill that void heading into the rest of the year.

Breaking down Jordan Houston’s 2023 numbers

Houston played 91 snaps over the first 3 games of the year. That number started out at 40 against UConn, when he carried the ball 13 times for 57 yards. His touches started to dwindle from there. Against Notre Dame, he was on the field for 35 snaps and then just 16 in the matchup with VMI.

During that third contest, he averaged 2.6 yards per carry. In 3 games, he forced 7 missed tackles and averaged 3.08 yards after contact per attempt, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

The running back has a versatile skill set and made some plays in the passing game during his Wolfpack career, but he was not Armstrong’s favorite backfield receiver this year.

Sophomore Michael Allen, who is now in position to take on a starting role with the program, outpaced the senior 8 to 3 on targets to start the season.

NC State will likely miss Houston the most on pass blocking downs. He protected Armstrong on 14 plays and recorded a fantastic 87.2 PFF grade. Allen has recorded a well below average PFF grade of 10.0 on 6 pass blocking plays, while true freshman Kendrick Raphael notched a solid 78.3 grade on 5 plays.

Redshirt-juniors Demarcus Jones II and Delbert Mimms III each played 2 snaps in pass protection, and neither back graded out at an average level in that small sample size.

A look at NC State’s running back depth chart

No.NameYearHt., Wt.Hometown2 Michael AllenSo.5-9, 205Greenville, N.C.34 Delbert Mimms, IIIR-Jr.5-11, 215Indianapolis, Ind.OR 28 Demarcus Jones IIR-Jr.5-10, 219Wake Forest, N.C.OR 20Kendrick RaphaelFr.5-11, 195Naples, Fla.

Allen and Houston previously had ‘OR’ listed between them. Now, the sophomore will have to take over in an expanded role. He has played the second-most snaps of this group but has actually carried the ball fewer times than both Mimms and Raphael.

Over the next few games, expect that to change. Allen missed time during the spring due to an injury, but he is healthy now and his responsibilities should expand quickly. The sophomore is averaging 7.3 yards per carry this year, racking up 81 rushing yards on 11 attempts.

Per PFF, he grades out as an above-average receiving back and records a solid 73.3 mark running the ball as well. NC State likes to get Allen out of the backfield in space on wheel routes and other concepts that take advantage of his explosiveness.

On the ground, he is averaging 5 yards per attempt after contact. On his 11 carries so far this year, Allen has picked up 5 first downs and recorded 3 runs of 10 yards or more.

Mimms has established his role as the Pack’s goal line back. On 19 carries, the redshirt-junior recorded 64 yards and 3 touchdowns. His skills on throwing downs will likely be tested a bit more moving forward. The back only saw the field for 5 passing snaps in 3 games. In total, 10 of Mimms’ 19 carries have ended in a first down.

Keep an eye on Raphael as well, who is quickly starting to earn more touches thanks to his impressive consistency for a freshman. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and led the team in rushing yards against VMI with 85 yards. Raphael showcased some impressive explosiveness and balance during that contest. He probably would have burned his redshirt regardless but, following Houston’s departure, that seems like a certainty.

Jones scored his first touchdown of the season against VMI and will likely continue to contribute in a reserve role.

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