Rumors have been circulation for a little over a week that Iowa State reserve running back Jeremiah Schwartz will be transferring away from the Cyclone program after the Insight Bowl.
Those rumors found their way into two major newspapers over the weekend. Both Randy Peterson of the Des Moines Register and Bobby La Gesse of the Ames Tribune blogged about Schwartz’s situation. Both reporters quoted Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads saying that Schwartz is considering the move.
This has been a topic on the CycloneFanatic.com football forum for quite some time. Based off of the conversations I have had on this topic, I’ll be shocked of Schwartz is in a Cyclone uniform next season.
Having said that, I’m of the opinion that this will be a bigger loss than many believe right now.
My basis for this opinion? Schwartz is a 232-pound freshman running back. Guys like that don’t come around very often. Over the course of this past season, Schwartz proved to be a very serviceable backup behind Alexander Robinson. Was he a game breaker? Nope, and I doubt that he ever will be. But for the most part, Schwartz did his job. He wasn’t a liability as far as turnovers are concerned. Schwartz averaged a humble 3.7 yards per carry. Again, nothing great but he was a solid backup running back. I think that he’ll get a better over time too.
“It’s not a big loss,” I’ve seen many Fanatics post that.
It might not be right now, but depth at the running back position is a major positive thing for a football team. If Schwartz does end up leaving, the returning scholarship running backs from this year’s team will be: Robinson, Bo Williams, and Beau Blankenship.
