AMES — Iowa State offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase famously described running back Cartevious Norton as a powerful athlete intent on “running through people’s faces.”
He still is, but with a fast-twitch plot twist.
“I still run through people’s faces,” the 5-11, 225-pound sophomore said with a grin. “But there’s something else in the bag.”
That would be quick-cutting speed, which the Waycross, Ga. native hopes to put on full display after soldiering through an injury-plagued freshman season. Norton tore his hamstring in the 2022 season opener and never returned to full health. He still rushed for 312 yards and two touchdowns. That makes him ISU’s leading returning rusher since Jirehl Brock recently left the team after facing charges stemming from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s probe into sports gambling, but Norton’s not alone in a crowded backfield — and Cyclone head coach Matt Campbell said that several players could contribute to a running game that ranked last in the Big 12 last season.
“I feel confident that there are five guys that could start on our football team right now at tailback,” Campbell said.
Let’s meet them.
Eli Sanders is one of the prime candidates to earn a high number of snaps in the running game. The sophomore from Oceanside, Calif., averaged 4.2 yards per carry in limited duty last season and has broadened his knowledge base through film study.
“Just knowing who’s going up to the back, or who’s going here, it makes it a lot easier,” Sanders said. “It slows down the game a little bit and once you see that cut it’s just one foot on the ground and go.”
Sanders redshirted in 2021 and developed a strong bond with former Cyclone star and current New York Jet Breece Hall — so much so that he visited Hall in New York City during the offseason. They strolled through Central Park and hung out while Hall shared some hard-earned wisdom.
“He was just telling me, ‘Put your best foot forward,’” Sanders said. “‘Go all in. If you want it go take it. Just be who you are. You know you can do things and be great.’”
Similar things could be said for Norton, Stanford transfer Arlen Harris Jr., and true freshmen Carson Hansen and Abu Sama.
Norton deftly blends power with speed. Harris provides a complete toolset of skills. Hansen is a talented downhill runner and Sama — a former Southeast Polk star and state record long jumper — could be the fastest among the group. It’s either him or Sanders.
“That’s a good race,” Sanders said. “We’d have to line up and race.”
They haven’t, but Sama’s been so good in practice that he’s pushing to dodge a redshirt season.
“Abu’s had some runs that have been pretty darn incredible throughout camp,” Scheelhaase said. “And I would say the same about Carson.”
All of which means, as Campbell also noted on media day, that at least early in the season the Cyclones could adopt a “running backs by committee” approach and let the game reps sort out the pecking order at the position.
“We’re all competing together as one,” Norton said. “We’re happy for each other whenever somebody makes a play. We always, you know, cheer that person on. We give each other shoutouts. It’s love in the RB room. All love.”
And there’s nowhere to go but up. Uneven offensive line play as well as multiple injuries helped doom ISU’s running game to that last-place finish among Big 12 teams. The Cyclones averaged just 108.0 yards per game, which ranked 116th nationally.
“I tell our guys what we’re trying to do is give you the tools (for) those controllable variables to get you to a point to be successful,” first-year running backs coach Jordan Langs said. “And then after that, you’re a Power 5 running back and you’ve got to earn your scholarship check.”
Norton and his fellow backs are eager to prove that a running game renaissance is not only possible, but it’s just around the corner.
“Just go out there and play with confidence,” Norton said. “I feel like that’s all it is.”
