Joshon Barbie entered last season as a fifth-string, walk-on running back who figured he had to wait his time working on the taxi squad before he would get his chance.

By season’s end, Barbie was the starting running back for McNeese State and had earned a scholarship.

His was a story of both good and bad.

On the one hand, Barbie showed that hard work, dedication, and determination pay off. On the other, his rise up the depth chart revealed how quickly injuries can change a team’s fortunes.

The Cowboys learned from both. They found a great piece in Barbie to build around and learned they could never have enough good running backs.

“Joshon made the most of his chance and he ran with it,” head coach Gary Goff said. “Going into last season we thought we had good depth in that room. That changed fast.”

So the Cowboys went out and found a trio of fresh rushers to build back that group. Then they got the return of a couple of injured backs and will enter this season with a stable of rushers to count on.

Now they have more than their share of quality backs, each with their own style. It could be the best group of rushers in the Southland.

“We have a lot of good backs in the room,” said Barbie. “We are all very different with our styles. I think we can get you in a lot of different ways.”

Barbie didn’t play until the sixth game last season but finished with 421 yards and turned in two 100-yard games down the stretch. He has also had a good camp and is No. 1 on this year’s depth chart heading into Saturday’s opener at Tarleton State.

“Joshon is electric,” said Goff. “He can turn any run into a touchdown. He is a home run hitter.”

D’Angelo Durham and Colbey Hamm are also back after missing a big portion of last season with injuries. Durham led the Cowboys in rushing with 509 yards in nine games, and Hamm scored two in five games.

“People forget how good D-Low was for us before the injuries,” Goff said. “He has been through a lot here and has been with us through a lot. And Colbey is a tough, physical runner who we missed last season.”

Then there are two additions, one from above and the other from below.

Bryce Strong is a speedy back from Riverside City College in California. The junior college transfer had 66 yards on 11 carries during the first spring scrimmage.

“I think I can fill a lot of roles,” said Strong. “I can catch the ball, be powerful, and hit the holes quick.”

Late in the spring McNeese added local star Tre’Vonte Citizen to the mix. Citizen spent two seasons at Miami but didn’t see any action due to injuries.

Healthy now, he showed his stuff in the first camp scrimmage. He rushed for 131 yards on just 11 carries, scoring a pair of touchdowns.

“T.C. can do a lot of things out there,” said Goff. “He is a big-time talent.

“We are deep in that room and have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things for us.”

Goff isn’t worried about playing time for all his rushers, saying he will use all his weapons and ride the hot hand depending on the matchups and how the games go.

“One thing we have learned is you can never have enough running backs,” Goff said.

Heading into this season the Cowboys not only have the numbers but seem to have the talent.