Fullbacks Nelson Smith and Jamale Carothers provided the bulk of production for a Navy offense that struggled mightily last season.
Smith and Carothers ranked first and second on the team in rushing with 645 and 358 yards, respectively. Those two accounted for well over half of Navy’s 1,776 rushing yards, easily the lowest total of the triple-option era.
Navy’s patented triple-option offense always starts with the fullback dive. That sets the tone for the other elements of the running game — the quarterback keeper and slotback pitch.
Going into the 2021 campaign, the Midshipmen will be relying on a group of fullbacks with minimal game experience.