Abu Sama

Sama compiled perhaps one of the most impressive performances for a running back in the 2023 season when he rumbled for 276 yards on 16 carries in the snow versus Kansas State. The true freshman had scoring runs of 60, 71, and 77 yards, including a touchdown on his first play of the game. While he didn't begin the year as the starter, Sama's freshman year proved to be a massive success, tallying 84 carries for 614 yards and six touchdowns for a glistening 7.3 yards per carry. The departures of Eli Sanders (New Mexico) and Cartevious Norton (Charlotte) position Sama for more volume in 2024, and he's set up to succeed in a Cyclones offense that returns the majority of its starting lineup from last season.