Shadrach Abrokwah knew he could play running back. He just needed someone else to believe it, too.
In limited action at running back in high school, the 5-foot-9-inch, 202-pound Abrokwah showed traits of a back that could anchor a college football team. But while friends and teammates fielded scholarship offers from colleges near and far, Abrokwah’s never came.
Instead, Abrokwah arrived at the University of Massachusetts in the fall of 2013 with nothing but some confidence and a dream. Former UMass coach Charley Molnar handed Abrokwah his best offer — a preferred walk-on spot. Nothing beyond that was guaranteed.
“Being a walk-on, paying for school wasn’t easy,” Abrokwah said. “Me trying to earn a scholarship was always in my head, so I worked hard.”
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The hard work appears to be coming to a head for Abrokwah. Now a scholar-athlete, the Worcester native has trucked for 331 yards and six touchdowns while providing stability in a topsy-turvy backfield.
But his journey to the top of the UMass running back depth chart began with a stay at the very bottom.
His first experience at running back came his senior season at St. John’s of Shrewsbury, and was by all accounts a success. Abrokwah tallied 1,540 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground, his legs cranking, churning like the pistons of a high-powered engine.
In some small way, Abrokwah was a relentless machine. Before he left St. John’s, Abrokwah owned four state power-lifting titles, including the Massachusetts Raw state record for squat (450 pounds) and bench press (300) in the 198-pound Teen III men’s category.
Despite his peak physical form, few college programs came calling. None of those that did call pitched Abrokwah with the promise of a scholarship.
With limited options, Abrokwah accepted UMass’s offer.
“Coaches didn’t really know what my true position was,” Abrokwah said. “I only had one year of film at running back. Most schools offered me walk-on positions, but I ended up at UMass because it was home.”
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He arrived at Amherst ready to contribute, but the football team wasn’t ready for him. There were ample backs ahead of him, many of whom were on scholarship. Abrokwah was told to wait his turn.
One by one, running backs fell by the wayside last fall. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, only the untested Abrokwah remained as a healthy option.
With no other options, Molnar burned what would have been a redshirt season for Abrokwah, opting to play him the final two games of a lost season.
The outcome of his two-game trial: 203 yards and a touchdown. Jamal Wilson rushed for a team-high 368 yards in 10 games and freshman Lorenzo Woodley had the most rushing touchdowns with two.
The potential was evident, but Abrokwah was still waiting for his number to be called.
Enter this season and first-year coach Mark Whipple, who was repeatedly impressed with Abrokwah during offseason workouts. After watching him throughout the spring, Whipple pulled him aside one afternoon and offered him a scholarship.
“It’s probably one of the most fun moments you have as a coach,” Whipple said, “giving a kid that’s a walk-on a scholarship because they certainly earned it. It’s what they’ve done in the weight room, what they’ve done in the classroom, and what they’ve done in the field.”
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“I was surprised,” Abrokwah said. “I was just really surprised and honored and blessed. As soon as I showered up after practice, I called my mom and told her what the news was. She was very excited.”
Scholarship in hand, faith affirmed, Abrokwah returned to Amherst with a new lease on life, but was once again forced to the bottom of the depth chart. The team said he had to sit the first four games of this season because of an issue surrounding his scholarship, which was not football- or discipline-related.
He stayed sharp while sidelined, immersing himself in Whipple’s pro-style offense. Abrokwah stayed fit as a member of the scout team, all the while memorizing the playbook and viewing all the film he could find.
“He works really hard,” offensive lineman Tyrell Smith said. “The offensive line will be watching film, the running backs will be done, and [Abrokwah] will come in with us and sit and watch film, trying to go the extra mile to get better.”
Upon his return, Abrokwah immediately stated his case for a full workload. He found the end zone his first game back, against Bowling Green. A week later, he set a career high with 128 rushing yards against Miami of Ohio.
Last Saturday against Eastern Michigan, Abrokwah set a career high in rushing yards with 135 as the Minutemen won back-to-back games for the first time in three seasons.
During that game, Abrokwah also became the first Minuteman with four touchdowns in a game since 2002, when R.J. Cobbs tied a program record with five against Rhode Island.
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“He’s like a little Joe Morris,” Whipple said following the 36-14 victory. “He’s a compact, solid guy, but he can hide behind our guys, accelerates, and he’s tough to bring down. He’s physical; he was that way in the spring, and I think he’s gained some confidence.”
It may not have been apparent, but the confidence was always there. Abrokwah knew all along he could play running back at a productive clip.
Now, he’s earned his chance to prove it.