BATON ROUGE — Usually when college football teams have a change at quarterback, relying on the running game is a great way to ease the transition period on offense.

It remains to be seen if LSU football will have that luxury early in the 2024 season.

The Tigers do have four tailbacks returning from last season's 10-3 squad. But the issue is the leading returner, senior Josh Williams, rushed just 55 times for 284 yards with five touchdowns.

In total, the four backs for LSU amassed 680 yards rushing in 36 combined games played. Senior John Emery Jr., sophomore Kaleb Jackson and freshman Trey Holly are the others returning for LSU's running back stable heading into 2024.

Highly-rated freshman Caden Durham reported to campus this summer and will look to carve out a role for the Tigers this season. Malachi Lane, Joseph Ebun and Ty'son Edwards round out the running back room.

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LSU football running back options

Projected starter: Josh Williams, Sr.

Reserves: Kaleb Jackson, Soph.; John Emery, Sr.; Caden Durham, Fr.; Trey Holly, Fr.; Malachi Lane, Jr.; Ty'son Edwards, Sr.; Joseph Ebun, Fr.

How LSU's running back group currently stands, WIlliams appears set to get the nod at the position if games were played today. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder practiced with the first-team unit during spring practice and the spring game, when he performed relatively well for the Tigers.

But guys like Jackson and Emery could easily earn more playing time as preseason practice unfolds and they get reps as well. LSU coach Brian Kelly has mentioned this offseason that the offense, with new co-offensive coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton, could spread the wealth around in the backfield at running back. Jackson averaged 5.3 yards per carry last season (31 rushes, 165 yards) with four scores and Emery also put up 5.3 yards per carry while being limited by injuries.

Durham is the more fascinating tailback of the group. He's the youngest and least experienced but he played high-level high school football in Texas at Duncanville and he was one of LSU's most coveted recruits in the 2024 recruiting class. Also, Holly's ongoing legal troubles and whether or not he'll be able to be with the team during that process will be something to monitor.

The upside

Despite a barrage of meaningful snaps not on roster, the Tigers do have plenty of able bodies at the tailback position.

LSU's depth could eventually become an asset for Sloan and Cortez's offense. As many as four running backs could garner snaps in high-pressure situations early in the season. And that playing time in return would bode well for the offense as the season progresses and the team reaches SEC games and games that could have plenty of ramifications to them.

There's no substitute for experience but how LSU could handle its running back situation will factor into how the new-look offense progresses in 2024.

One question or concern

As much as the tailback room's progress could be a positive, it just as easily could go the wrong way.

How Williams, Emery, Jackson, Durham and others tackle the position competition during preseason practice will be a tell on how much the running game will be counted upon this season.

That's why Durham, an incoming freshman, could come in and immediately garner significant playing time among a pair of seniors.

Jackson is also a running back to watch. The way he finished off 2023 plus how he handled himself in the spring, the sophomore is projected to be a major factor in the starting job for the Tigers this fall.

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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz atbdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: What LSU football's RB room looks like heading into fall camp