BEAUMONT, Texas – An entire offseason has come and gone since Lamar made its run to the NCAA FCS Playoffs, and with players having officially reported for preseason camp, it's time for the 2026 version of the Cardinals to write their own chapter. It also means LamarCardinals.com will once again be posting its annual position-by-position breakdown leading up to the team's season opener Saturday, Aug. 29 at home against Abilene Christian.
 
Today LamarCardinals.com will break down the LU running backs.
 
RB Quick Facts:
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 2/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 0/1
Newcomers: 6
 
Stats:  Lamar rushed for nearly 1,900 yards last season (495-1,858/3.8 ypr) with 18 touchdowns. The Cardinals ended the season middle of the pack averaging 142.9 rushing yards per game as a team.
 
Key Player: LaDamion McDowell (58-365/6.3 ypr/2 TDs) is one of the exciting young players in the league and is coming off an Freshman All-America rookie season.
 
The Storyline
The Cardinals took heavy losses at running back graduated three and losing four overall. That is never a comforting stat to read, but there is plenty of reason for hope. The Cardinals return a Freshman All-American – McDowell (5-7, 176, So.) - and granted the honor came as a kick return specialist, but it is that same playmaking ability on special teams that makes him a threat in the backfield. McDowell is the team's top returning rushers and finished second on the team total rush yards (as a rookie) despite having started just two games (at running back). The stat that should have Big Red fans excited for McDowell's sophomore season is the fact that he averaged a staggering 6.3 yards per carry. If you forecast that over an entire game it makes for a lot of time on the field for opposing defenses. In addition to his ability to run the ball and his skills as a returner he is also a strong receiver coming out of the backfield.
 
Another rising sophomore who flashed moments of brilliance last season was Omarion Rasberry (5-9, 178, So.). The Garrison, Texas native played in just four games but averaged 4.9 yards per carry (with a score) during his limited time in the backfield, but he took on a bigger role later into the season.
 
Also returning is Jameer Muhammad who provides a contrast to McDowell and Rasberry. While the other two provide an element of speed, Muhammad  (5-10, 210, So.) brings added size and a little more thump to the position but that does not mean he can't put up big numbers. During two varsity seasons at Fort Worth's Carter-Riverside High, Muhammad rushed for nearly 3,300 yards and had nine 100-yard performances.
 
The LU coaching staff really went out and attacked this position on the recruiting trail adding more size, speed and talent who can catch. The long list of newcomers to the stable of backs includes Jojo Uga (6-0, 210, Jr.), Parker Jenkins (5-11, 212, Sr.), Mason Manning (5-10, 190, Fr.), Andikan Asuquo (5-10, 184, Fr.), Aaron Tenner (5-8, 165, Fr.) and Chase Williams (5-8, 205, Fr.).   
 
Among that group, Uga and Jenkins come via the portal and join Muhammad in giving the position more thump. Uga comes to Lamar from NCAA FCS Albany where he led the team in rushing the past two seasons (191-799 yds/4.2 ypr/6 TDs) and while Jenkins was a 2025 Doak Walker Award Watch list candidate at East Carolina. Muhammad, Uga and Jenkins look the part and provide LU with an intimidating presence in the backfield.
 
One of the prized additions on signing day was Orangefield's Mason Manning. One of the best players to ever come out of Orangefield, Manning rushed for 1,700 yards and 26 touchdowns (7.9 ypr) in a season that saw him earn first-team all-district honors and be named a finalist for the coveted Willie Ray Smith Award.
 
The players mentioned should already provide fans reason to smile and we haven't even added Asuquo, Tenner and Williams to the mix yet. This incoming freshman trio put together their own strong résumés and the numbers speak for themselves. Asuquo (North Forney High) rushed for nearly 3,000 yards during his high school career and averaged nearly a first down per carry as a senior (9.4) and 6.9 yards per rush during his career. Tenner (Iowa Colony HS) averaged more than 107 rushing yards per game (8.7 ypr) as a senior while Williams – another local product – terrorized Lumberton opponents to the tune of 3,103 career rushing yards. This group alone was responsible for 75 rushing touchdowns and nearly 20 100-yard rushing performances.
 
We at LamarCardinals.com hope that this preview provides Cardinal fans with more than just hope for the position, but legitimate excitement – despite the recent graduations. It is still early in camp and this position group is still coming together but the pieces are there to be a very deep, impactful group.