San Francisco 49ers: Trey Sermon could have a bigger role than expected

After making an impressive run to the Super Bowl in 2019, the San Fransisco 49ers had a sub-par year due to a lot of injuries across the roster. In 2019 the 49ers had 2,305 rushing yards making running the football the identity of their football team.

The 2020 season was not quite as successful as they regressed and rushed for only 1,889 yards mainly due to injuries at running back and offensive line. In 2021, it should be a big focal point in the offense to implement that ground game as they have a new face in Trey Sermon to help bring back the identity of running the ball.

Sermon is a big back standing at 6-feet and weighing around 215 pounds but has the athletic ability to be a multi-dimensional back. At both Oklahoma and Ohio State Sermon was a workhorse where he had some impressive numbers.

Sermon’s most memorable game was in the 2020 Big Ten Championship against Northwestern where he rushed for 331 yards and 2 touchdowns. Now Sermon will not get the biggest load of carries in San Fransisco but could bring something they have not had since Frank Gore.

As mentioned, Sermon has a big frame and plays with a unique combo of size and speed. The San Francisco 49ers haven’t had a big back for short-yardage and goal-line situations for some time now. The 49ers have gone with running backs that fit Kyle Shanahan’s zone offense with speed and ability to get outside and head north on outside runs.

Also, the 49ers use their running backs like a bullpen in baseball for they interchange them rarely often throughout the game not giving any of them a high pitch count.

Another reason Sermon could see a lot of time and be a big impact in San Francisco next season is because of injuries. It has been reported that Jeff Wilson, who had a breakout year last season, has a right meniscus injury before camp has even started. Also, Raheem Mostert only played in 8 games last season due to some injuries.

While speaking on Mostert and how the San Francisco 49ers like to interchange guys, Mostert never started in his breakout season in 2019. These injuries and other factors keep the notion of Trey Sermon trending into an impactful role.

With teams using running backs in committees and the San Francisco 49ers being a team that uses this trend the most just plays in Sermon’s favor. Sermon could be a nice goal-line and short-yardage back as well as an every-down back for the 49ers. The 49ers tend to let a guy eat if he gets hot and when Sermon gets hot he boils.

So look out for the big man out of Ohio State to make a big impact in the 2021 NFL season for the San Fransisco 49ers.