At RB for the Cyclones: A-Rob, Woody, Duck, Rabbit

AMES - This much is known, there will be an A-Rob and a Woody in Iowa State's backfield this season.

Duck and Rabbit could be joining them.

“There's a lot of guys we can give the pill to and expect good things from,” quarterback Austen Arnaud said.

The Cyclones appear pretty well stacked at tailback for years to come. Alexander Robinson is the clear No. 1 and will be the workhorse for the offense. Coaches have limited his workload during training camp in making sure the senior - ISU's 10th leading all-time rusher with 2,363 yards - is healthy and fresh starting with next Thursday's 7 p.m. season opener against Northern Illinois at Jack Trice Stadium.

A group of youngsters, including heralded freshman Shontrelle Johnson, will be there to back Robinson up and provide a glimpse into the future.

“I'm ready,” Johnson said. “Football is football. It's going to be a bit of a transition as far as the speed of the game. Everybody's going to be strong and fast, but I feel like I'm ready for it.”

The freshman from DeLand, Fla., doesn't lack for confidence. Same goes for quickness and agility. Robinson has tagged him with the nickname “the Rabbit.”

“He probably has the quickest feet I've ever seen in person,” Robinson said. “You ever try and chase a rabbit? They are jump cutting all around all over. That's Shontrelle.”

Johnson's classmate, Duran “Duck” Hollis has also impressed through three weeks of camp. Where'd the nickname come from?

“Maybe the way he walks,” Robinson said. “He kind of looks like one, too. We don't know for sure.”

Arnaud likes what he's seen from Hollis.

“He's one of the most patient ballcarriers I've ever seen as a true freshman,” Arnaud said.

Red-shirt freshmen Jeff Woody and James White could figure into the rotation.

Woody was just placed on scholarship and is the Cyclones' second-team tailback. The former all-state pick from Southeast Polk is a physical runner with all-around skills.

“He's got value that (others) don't in that he can play about three positions with what we can do in our offense,” Rhoads said.

White had some good runs in April's spring game but has no game experience.

The same is true for Johnson and Hollis, obviously, and coaches are trying to determine whether or not one or both should red-shirt. They could contribute on special teams.

“At this point you have a pretty good idea who is ready and who is not,” Rhoads said after last Saturday's third and final scrimmage of the preseason. “There are two or three guys we've got to make some hard decisions on whether we want to save the year or get them out contributing right now.”

Johnson has taken cues from Robinson in a lot of ways, maybe most importantly on how a 5-foot-9 running back takes care of his body.

“Since day one, A-Rob has been nothing but a football father,” Johnson said. “He's taken us under his wing, coaching us up and letting us know how it's going to be.”

Robinson sees his position being left in capable hands with Hollis and Johnson.

“They are going to be real good,” he said.