Follow this week (April 7-11) for Eastern Illinois Football Spring Position Previews with EIU Spring Game set for Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. at O'Brien Field.
 
April 7 – Quarterbacks (Click To Read)
April 7 – Safeties (Click To Read)
April 8 – Running Backs
 
Eastern Illinois will look to replace a two-time first team All-Conference player at running back but first year position coach Spencer Treadwell feels the Panthers have the personnel in the room to accomplish that task.
 
Jay Pearson returns as the veteran in the running back room having played in 11 games as a special teams starter and back-up running back.  His production came on late in the season as he finished with 215 yards on the ground and a 4.9 yards per carry average.  He scored his lone touchdown in the final game at Tennessee Tech.
 
Redshirt freshman Jacarre Fleming may be one of the fastest players on the Panthers roster.  He played in four games last fall taking the NCAA granted redshirt season under participation rules.  In those four games most of his time was seen as a kickoff returner.
 
"We have a great crew within the running back room. They are high energy and highly detailed.  We will really focus on building reliability within our offensive system this spring," said Treadwell.   "I am excited to see this group compete and continue to build upon their offseason training."
 
EIU has two additional returning running backs plus a key junior college transfer that will be part of the equation.  Zeke Lewis is a veteran member of the team but has seen most of his playing time in four years on the special teams unit.  Chris Caldwell redshirted last season after transferring into the program.
 
The Panthers added junior college running back Jesse Lajes at the semester break.  Lajes rushed for more than 1,500 yards last fall playing at San Jose City College.