Western Illinois has gained some positive momentum on the recruiting trail recently and the Leathernecks are looking to be a dark horse in the MVFC in the upcoming 2022 season. The running game was inconsistent last season as the Leathernecks only averaged 62 yards per game and less than 3 yards per carry throughout the 2021 season. Myles Wanza, who led the team in rushing yards, graduated this offseason and the Leathernecks have only three scholarship running backs entering the 2022 season. The running back position received a huge boost today as former Temple running back Kyle Dobbins announced his commitment to Western Illinois this afternoon.
https://twitter.com/kyledobbs36/status/1532821582271348736
Dobbins was a consensus 3-star recruit out of Sicklerville, NJ in the class of 2018. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound RB was the #25 RB in the country and was ranked as the 2nd best RB in the state of New Jersey. He held offers from Temple, North Carolina, Army, Boston College, & NC State; but announced his commitment to Temple in June of 2017. Dobbins was a 3X 1st Team All-Conference selection and a 2X All-State selection, while totaling over 4,800 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns in his high school career.
Dobbins redshirted his first season for the Owls and saw limited action over the next three seasons in a loaded RB room, but totaled over 140 yards and 3 touchdowns over his career. He became the first Temple running back since 2018 to total three rushing touchdowns in one game. Dobbins will have two years of eligibility left for the Leathernecks and offer an immediate upgrade at the running spot for Western Illinois.
Western Illinois have been one of the hottest FCS teams on the recruiting trail these past two weeks and are primed to take a huge step forward in the 2022 season. The Leathernecks open their season on the road against UT-Martin on September 1st in an extremely interesting FCS out of conference matchup.
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