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How Roderick Daniels Jr.’s versatility has helped SMU overcome its running back injury bug

The wide receiver had no trouble switching into the backfield against Florida State last week.

UNIVERSITY PARK — Any time a team loses two of its top four running backs to season-ending injuries early in the year, there’s concern about how the offense will move forward.

SMU found itself in that position just four games into the year, losing Camar Wheaton to season-ending meniscus surgery in camp and Jaylan Knighton to season-ending MCL surgery last week.

With a third running back, LJ Johnson Jr., also out for last week’s game against Florida State, the running back room had gotten dangerously thin. It then faced another blow when Brashard Smith missed a few drives Saturday with an apparent injury.

For a period of time, SMU had gone from four possible starters at running back to zero before even completing its first Atlantic Coast Conference game. While Smith was able to return and Johnson is set to do so as well this week, the Mustangs leaned on senior wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. to switch positions and carry the team through a challenging spot.

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“Roderick Daniels is kind of like a Renaissance man,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “He’s done everything but play left tackle, and I hope we don’t have to get to that point.”

Daniels saw 15 carries in Saturday’s game against Florida State and totaled 53 rushing yards and a touchdown. He finished with 74 all-purpose yards, including two receptions for 20 yards and a punt return.

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SMU felt comfortable enough moving him from wide receiver to running back rather than having to rely on a younger back without much game experience. Lashlee said Daniels’ knowledge for the game made that an easy decision.

“He’s just an all-around football player, and he’s really, really a smart football player,” Lashlee said. “He had two practices last week and a walk-through and went out and played running back the whole game and did really well. We’re not limited in any way with him back there.”

Daniels said the position switch came quite naturally.

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“I told coach, ‘I’m a football player,’” he said. “I really just know my assignment and on game day I execute. Everything else just falls in place being a football player after that.

“I feel like I’m more valuable, too, being able to play a lot of different positions, so wherever he needs me, that’s where I’m at.”

His mentality is similar to the one Smith has shown so far this year. He, too, primarily played wide receiver at Miami before transferring to SMU and switching to running back. Together, Smith and Daniels have proved to be two of the most versatile players on SMU’s roster as key contributors on offense and special teams.

“It helps me a lot not having to do too much, just giving the ball to them and letting them make a play,” SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings said of his two teammates.

While Smith is available again this Saturday at Louisville and Johnson is expected to return after a concussion, Lashlee said Daniels could still appear at multiple positions. He has been weapon wherever he’s placed and his versatility in itself keeps opponents on their toes.

“I think they need to be prepared for Roderick to play everywhere on the offense,” Lashlee said.

On X/Twitter: @Lassimak

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