H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

[PDuncanOSU]

I'm working on a custom playbook to utilize an "H-back" similar to how Urban Meyer used to with Percy Harvin at Florida (and later on Curtis Samuel and Jalin Marshal at Ohio State).

My plan is to recruit "receiving HB" types and then move them to WR. I wonder if it would be better though to recruit slot wide receivers and then move them to HB?

Either way I would want to put them in the SLWR (slot WR) spot on the depth chart. From there I want to use them on jet sweeps, screens, short crossing routes and anyway I can find to get them in space with room to run. I'm hoping my actual running back to be a power-back with some speed. They can be my inside-run option on RPOs and triple-options with the H-back as the outside pitch or pass option.

Curious if anyone else has had success with this type of offense? Suggestions on type of recruits to look for? Plays to include in my playbook?

I'll share my playbook once I have it completed.

[taylsz]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

I moved a middling deep threat WR to HB, turned into a Heisman winning player. Think he was up to a 97 in his Heisman winning season by the end. Also had a few natural receiving backs get pretty high OVRs, but I know a lot of people don't like using them. By the end of the season I was kind of force feeding him to make sure he won the thing! Ran Western Michigan's scheme, with him in as 3rd down back. Found a lot of success running him into light boxes, but obviously the low strength guys don't break too many tackles. In the passing game any play with a wheel out of the backfield was pretty good, and WM had the 3rd down RB out there for a few five wide formations too. There's a great formation called (I think) Normal Y Off Close ( has the regular HB default so sub your guy in), which features three auto motion plays, two send your guy on an angle route, one into the flat. Redzone Scissors out of this formation is also great, lots of TDs especially for a guy with safety valve. HB screen out of Gun Bunch Quads Open** is also absolute money if the D doesn't put enough guys in front of the bunch. I often have my receiving back on the slot WR depth chart now, although I didn't really for the Heisman winner funnily enough.

Had a lot of fun with the UNLV duo scheme too, has your two HBs on the same side of a few formations. Quite a few passing routes which feature the backs, play action, great RPOs and obviously a strong option/triple game off that too.

[Jeffruel]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

I’ve been running a run heavy scheme lately, but I’ve finally got an X Factor like you were mentioning I want to get touches for. My guy is a WR, and I put him in the slot. There are more formations I utilize him in, but in these formations I have to use formation subs to get him the ball, but I thought I’d share. I love getting him the ball on jets and bubbles, and I’ve had good luck with end arounds in this game.

I do think the move is to recruit a deep threat WR or route runner WR with high speed, convert them to RB, because you can move your RB to WR in formation subs, but you can’t put a WR in the backfield. Basically, whoever your X Factor is, make them a RB.

Pistol Strong Slot-Jet guy in Slot
Pistol Trips Over-Jet guy in slot
Pistol Strong Slot-Jet guy in slot

Shotgun F Twins Over-Jet guy as left WR
Shotgun Empty Quads Trio-Jet guy inside
Shotgun Trips TE-Jet guy inside

Goal Line Heavy-Jet guy to WR

I Form Close-Jet to WR on right
I Form Slot-Jet guy to slot

Singleback Bunch Ace-Jet Guy outside

Finally the Shotgun Slot left wk is my favorite formation to get that X Factor involved. Has a slot option, motion swing screen, bubble, fake swing, motion triple option as well.

[PDuncanOSU]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

I do think the move is to recruit a deep threat WR or route runner WR with high speed, convert them to RB, because you can move your RB to WR in formation subs, but you can’t put a WR in the backfield. Basically, whoever your X Factor is, make them a RB.

Curious how this works. Do you put your "X-factor" as your starting RB, then use formation subs or packages to get him to the slot? Then your RB2 comes in at RB? If that X-factor RB1 comes out due to fatigue though do you end up with your RB2 in the slot? I see the positives to this setup but am not sure how to differentiate my actual RBs and this X-factor "H-back" in my depth chart.

I’ve been running a run heavy scheme lately, but I’ve finally got an X Factor like you were mentioning I want to get touches for. My guy is a WR, and I put him in the slot. There are more formations I utilize him in, but in these formations I have to use formation subs to get him the ball, but I thought I’d share. I love getting him the ball on jets and bubbles, and I’ve had good luck with end arounds in this game.

Pistol Strong Slot-Jet guy in Slot
Pistol Trips Over-Jet guy in slot
Pistol Strong Slot-Jet guy in slot

Shotgun F Twins Over-Jet guy as left WR
Shotgun Empty Quads Trio-Jet guy inside
Shotgun Trips TE-Jet guy inside

Goal Line Heavy-Jet guy to WR

I Form Close-Jet to WR on right
I Form Slot-Jet guy to slot

Singleback Bunch Ace-Jet Guy outside

Finally the Shotgun Slot left wk is my favorite formation to get that X Factor involved. Has a slot option, motion swing screen, bubble, fake swing, motion triple option as well.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at these formations to add to my playbook.

[Jeffruel]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

Curious how this works. Do you put your "X-factor" as your starting RB, then use formation subs or packages to get him to the slot? Then your RB2 comes in at RB? If that X-factor RB1 comes out due to fatigue though do you end up with your RB2 in the slot? I see the positives to this setup but am not sure how to differentiate my actual RBs and this X-factor "H-back" in my depth chart.

What I did is I left him off my RB depth chart entirely no matter what his overall is. I make him my #1 SlotWR, and I have put him into an RB spot in a few formations that I want to with formation subs. When I think about this type of player he is more of a 10-15 touch per game guy, not the 20+ rushes I want my starting power back to get.

[PDuncanOSU]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

In your first post you said:

you can’t put a WR in the backfield. Basically, whoever your X Factor is, make them a RB.

Your next post said:

I left him off my RB depth chart entirely no matter what his overall is. I make him my #1 SlotWR...

Just wanting to make sure I understand how you are using this guy. I'm starting the offseason in my dynasty and am trying to decide the best way to set up my roster and depth chart going into next season. What position do you have your "X-factor" guy listed as, and what spots do you put him in your depth chart?

[Jeffruel]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

In your first post you said:


Your next post said:


Just wanting to make sure I understand how you are using this guy. I'm starting the offseason in my dynasty and am trying to decide the best way to set up my roster and depth chart going into next season. What position do you have your "X-factor" guy listed as, and what spots do you put him in your depth chart?

My bad if I wasn't clear.

He is listed as a HB on his position, whether I recruited him as a WR or HB, I change his position to HB.

I then make him my starting slot WR on the depth chart, and as a HB I have like 5 guys listed ahead of him so he would never get the default carries there. I move him into a few formations with formation subs to get the RB snaps.

I like him as the starting slot because that is usually who gets the bubbles, jets, etc.

Again, the reason I make him a RB, and not a WR, is because I can't move a WR into the backfield in formation subs, but I can put a HB out at WR with formation subs. It just offers more flexibility.

Let me know if that clears it up or if you have any other questions.

[PDuncanOSU]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

My bad if I wasn't clear.

He is listed as a HB on his position, whether I recruited him as a WR or HB, I change his position to HB.

I then make him my starting slot WR on the depth chart, and as a HB I have like 5 guys listed ahead of him so he would never get the default carries there. I move him into a few formations with formation subs to get the RB snaps.

I like him as the starting slot because that is usually who gets the bubbles, jets, etc.

Again, the reason I make him a RB, and not a WR, is because I can't move a WR into the backfield in formation subs, but I can put a HB out at WR with formation subs. It just offers more flexibility.

Let me know if that clears it up or if you have any other questions.

That makes sense now. Thanks for clarifying. Curious what that players progression will look like after a few seasons. Will their catch or route-running attributes grow any or will they see most growth in carry, break tackle, etc like a running back?

[Jeffruel]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

That makes sense now. Thanks for clarifying. Curious what that players progression will look like after a few seasons. Will their catch or route-running attributes grow any or will they see most growth in carry, break tackle, etc like a running back?

I’m assuming probably progression as a RB in those stats, but if they have the receiving back archetype they might grow in route running or catching as well.

[PDuncanOSU]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

I’m assuming probably progression as a RB in those stats, but if they have the receiving back archetype they might grow in route running or catching as well.

Thanks for all the input. About to start my 2nd season as head coach at SMU. Already had a good RB with the "receiving back" archetype that I'm going to use in my hybrid role. Also moved a WR that has good speed, accel, COD, & carry stats to RB. Going to put these 2 guys in the slot-receiver spot in my depth chart and see what I can do with them.

[PDuncanOSU]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

Thanks for all the input. About to start my 2nd season as head coach at SMU. Already had a good RB with the "receiving back" archetype that I'm going to use in my hybrid role. Also moved a WR that has good speed, accel, COD, & carry stats to RB. Going to put these 2 guys in the slot-receiver spot in my depth chart and see what I can do with them.

Little update here:
I put my "x-factor" players in my depth chart, both as my 3rd-down backs and my slot receivers.

In formations where the 3rd-down back is in, my 1st string "x-factor" player lines up at RB and the 2nd string lines up in the slot. I mostly use these formations for passing plays but like to have at least 1 draw and 1 screen as audibles to keep from being predictable.

For example in Gun Spread Y-Slot:
I have some pass concepts I like such as Shallow Cross and Stick. I also have an HB Screen and an HB Swing that will (1) get my "x-factor" player in space and (2) keep the d-line from just pinning their ears back for a pass. Also use plays like Shuffle Flood and Shuffle Trail that can get the ball to my TE or regular receivers but also get the "x-factor" player involved in the passing game.

When in a formation where the regular RB is in the RB spot, the "x-factor" player will be in the slot and I focus on runs, jet sweeps, RPOs and playaction off of those.

For example Gun Doubles Y Off Wk I have this Jet Sweep Series:
Jet Pass Fk Toss, HB Toss Fk Jet, RPO Jet Read Y Slide and Fk Jet Toss Pass. Then I'll also have something like this RPO Alert Bubble I can audible to based on the defensive alignment.

So far the only formations where I have to use formation subs are the Gun Split formations where I have to sub my "x-factor" into the 2nd running back spot.

[Jeffruel]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

Another formation I like to use my X Factor in is Pistol Train. I formation sub the XFactor into sidecar RB spot and you can run HB off tackle, triple option as the dive back, and I love passing with him on the verticals play. Verticals is one of my go to plays when I need a 2 point conversion or a big 4th down conversion. You can often put him on a wheel or a corner to the boundary and really put the defense in a tough spot if a LB is covering him.

[Theaccountant]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

I'm working on a custom playbook to utilize an "H-back" similar to how Urban Meyer used to with Percy Harvin at Florida (and later on Curtis Samuel and Jalin Marshal at Ohio State).

My plan is to recruit "receiving HB" types and then move them to WR. I wonder if it would be better though to recruit slot wide receivers and then move them to HB?

Either way I would want to put them in the SLWR (slot WR) spot on the depth chart. From there I want to use them on jet sweeps, screens, short crossing routes and anyway I can find to get them in space with room to run. I'm hoping my actual running back to be a power-back with some speed. They can be my inside-run option on RPOs and triple-options with the H-back as the outside pitch or pass option.

Curious if anyone else has had success with this type of offense? Suggestions on type of recruits to look for? Plays to include in my playbook?

I'll share my playbook once I have it completed.

Would love to try this playbook how’s it coming along?

[PDuncanOSU]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

Would love to try this playbook how’s it coming along?

I put my "x-factor" players both at the slot-receiver and the 3rd-down-back spots in my depth chart.
I have 11 personnel formations where the x-factor player is in the slot and a true running back is at RB. From these formation I try to run the ball with my RB, get it to the x-factor with swing passes, bubbles and jet sweeps then try deep shots off playaction.
I then have other 11 personnel formations where one of my x-factor players is in at RB (as the 3rd down back in the depth chart) and another x-factor player is in the slot. Mostly pass out of these formations but will have draws or screens as well.
Also included 2 formations in 21 personnel with split backs. With these formations I have to use formations subs to get my x-factor player in. (Note that your player has to be a RB to be able to put them in using formation subs)
I haven't had a lot of success in my running game with my actual RB and added in some more 12 personnel (1 RB and 2 TEs) formations to try to be able to run the ball and blead the clock when I want to. Still not completely happy with this part of my offense yet.
I still may make further changes or additions to try to boost my run game. I'll try to share my playbook next time I can log on the Playstation though. Will be either later today or sometime tomorrow.

[PDuncanOSU]

Re: H-back, Hybrid RB/WR (Percy Harvin Role)

I put my "x-factor" players both at the slot-receiver and the 3rd-down-back spots in my depth chart.
I have 11 personnel formations where the x-factor player is in the slot and a true running back is at RB. From these formation I try to run the ball with my RB, get it to the x-factor with swing passes, bubbles and jet sweeps then try deep shots off playaction.
I then have other 11 personnel formations where one of my x-factor players is in at RB (as the 3rd down back in the depth chart) and another x-factor player is in the slot. Mostly pass out of these formations but will have draws or screens as well.
Also included 2 formations in 21 personnel with split backs. With these formations I have to use formations subs to get my x-factor player in. (Note that your player has to be a RB to be able to put them in using formation subs)
I haven't had a lot of success in my running game with my actual RB and added in some more 12 personnel (1 RB and 2 TEs) formations to try to be able to run the ball and blead the clock when I want to. Still not completely happy with this part of my offense yet.
I still may make further changes or additions to try to boost my run game. I'll try to share my playbook next time I can log on the Playstation though. Will be either later today or sometime tomorrow.

Playbook is now shared under the title XFACTOR. My username is OSU_DMB_FAN