ITHACA, N.Y. -- Two-time all-league running back Luke Hagy ignites Cornell's ground attack. The offensive line, tight ends, fullbacks and quarterbacks all play huge roles of course - Hagy's healthy 4.9 yard per carry average wouldn't be nearly as good without their attention to detail and constant improvement in that area. But it has been the senior who has been the key cog in Cornell's transition from a pass-first offense to a balanced gameplan.

Hagy was a second-team All-Ivy League selection a year ago, breaking through late in the season as the Big Red's offense started to gel. He rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his last three games and ended the year with 734 rushing yards and six total touchdowns while also passing for one. One of the league's most versatile offensive threats, he became first player in Cornell history to reach 1,000 career yards both rushing and receiving and the 29th player in school history to surpass the century mark in career rushing yards. He was an honorable mention All-Ivy honoree as a sophomore and one of 20 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award as a freshman, given to the national freshman of the year. He led all Ivy running backs in receiving in each of his first two seasons.

Hagy will continue to be the team's primary ballcarrier, but will also be a mentor for a young unit that features a freshman, three sophomores and a junior with sophomore eligibility. He will be expected to carry a significant portion of the load, but there is plenty of talent around to supplement his versatile skills.

As freshmen in 2014, Demetrius Daltirus, Josh Sweet and Jack Gellatly all lettered. Daltirus and Sweet combined for 69 carries a year ago for 195 yards and also caught eight passes for 29 yards. Daltirus had at least five carries in six different games and posted 11 carries for 46 yards against Lehigh. He is a powerful back who welcomes contact. He was also a standout prep linebacker. Sweet had a 53-yard afternoon against Lehigh and entered Cornell with more than 4,400 rushing yards and 63 touchdowns in his final two high school seasons. Gellatly, an all-state selection out of Washington and brother of former Big Red All-American wide receiver Grant, was a special teams standout who blocked a punt and saw significant field time on coverage teams.

Junior Dane Brown will be looking for his first varsity action after spending his rookie season on the scout team and suffering a season-ending knee injury during that spring campaign. He was expected to play a role in the offense before the injury and looked fully recovered in the spring of 2015. He has the speed and power to earn carries this fall.

Incoming freshman J.D. PicKell is used to being part of an ensemble, having competed in one of the nation's toughest high school football leagues. He was one of four runners to post more than 300 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns and posting more than 700 total yards en route to all-league and all-county honors as a senior.

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#8 J.D. PicKell
Fr. * 6-0, 200 * Santa Ana, Calif. (Orange Lutheran HS)
At Orange Lutheran HS
• A first-team all-league and all-county selection at Orange Lutheran HS, PicKell played running back, quarterback, wide receiver and safet as well as returning punts during his varsity career.
• Scored 10 total touchdowns and recorded 712 total yards as a senior.
• Averaged 9.1 yards per carry with eight touchdowns on the ground in his final season.
• Was also 3-for-3 passing for 103 yards and a touchdown.
• Was named Player of the Game at the Character Counts Honor Bowl.
• Captained the team in his final season.
• Invited to represent California team in high school all-star game in Australia
Also competed on the track and field team.

Personal
• Joshua Dalton PicKell is the son of Scott and Nina PicKell and has two sisters and a brother.
• He is enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.