Early Look at the Ohio Valley Ironmen Running Back Room
The Ohio Valley Ironmen are back in 2026 with some familiar faces and a newcomer in the running back room. Last season, the Ironmen ran over every team on their way to an undefeated IFA season. D’ago Hunter and Jermiah Nelson were key factors last season for the Ironmen and are back this year to compete for a CoFL Championship. The newcomer in the room is former Huntsville Astros running back Quincy Wimbish, who was a key piece of the Astros’ undefeated season. Here’s an in-depth look at the Ironmen Backfield in 2026:
D’Ago Hunter
D’Ago Hunter is a running back from Culpeper, Virginia who committed to Towson University as a walk-on before becoming a key contributor for the Tigers in his time on the team. His 2018 Freshman season only saw Hunter on special teams for the first 3 games before he redshirted the season. Hunter was the starting kick and punt returner in 2019 totaling 797 all-purpose yards with 684 being from returning. Towson cancelled their 2020 season, but D’Ago never stopped working. Hunter’s hard work during the cancelled season showed in 2021 as he became Towson’s All-Purpose Yards leader and an All-CAA Third Team as the punt returner. He ended the season with 1,104 total yards. In 2022, Hunter was all over the field- running, catching, and returning. He ended the 2022 season with 639 kickoff yards, 195 punt return yards, 111 receiving yards, and 262 rushing yards. That year awarded All-CAA First Team Kick Return, All-CAA Second Team punt returner, CAA Special Teams Player of the Year, and 2022 STATS Perform All-American Third Team punt returner. D’Ago Hunter was back for one last season in 2023 totaling 959 All-Purpose Yards in 6 games before a season-ending injury. Even with the injury, Hunter was named the 2023 All-CAA Third Team kick returner. His college career started as a walk-on Freshman to becoming one of Towson’s best returners in program history. He would run out of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft.
D’Ago Hunter never got an NFL opportunity and waited until 2025 to sign with the Ohio Valley Ironmen of the then International Football Alliance. For the Ironmen last year, Hunter was a great receiver and rusher; catching 2 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown. Hunter is back and ready to be the redzone running back in 2026.
Jermiah Nelson
Jeremiah Nelson is a running back from New York City who originally played at JUCO’s Nassau Community College. He would spend his Freshman and Sophomore seasons at Nassau CC. He played sparingly in 2017 only totaling 121 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. The 2018 season would see Nelson break out as he totaled 772 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. After the 2 seasons at Nassau, Nelson would transfer to D1 Temple University. The coaching staff at Temple believed Nelson would be better at Tight End. For the 2019 season, he switched positions from RB to TE. He would never see playing time for Temple and would transfer to Kutztown in 2021. Jeremiah Nelson was the starter and had a breakout season at Kutztown. He totaled 561 yards and 5 touchdowns leading the Golden Bears to a PSAC Conference Title. After the season, Jeremiah Nelson would declare for the NFL Draft and play in the Tropical Bowl.
Jeremiah Nelson won the 2023 Tropical Bowl Game MVP impressing many football scouts. Even with the big Senior Bowl game, he never got an NFL call. Nelson stayed in football shape by attending XFL and UFL combines to prove he belongs in those leagues. His journey to the pros took him 2 years until he signed with the Ohio Valley Ironmen of the IFA. He ended his first pro season with 170 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns combined with a receiving touchdown vs the Erie Express. Nelson’s dominance is back for the Ironmen as they enter their new chapter as a part of the CoFL.
Quincy Wimbish
Quincy Wimbish is a running back from Carson, California who committed to the Memphis Tigers in 2016. He never saw playing time for the Tigers, leading to him redshirting the season and transferring to look for better opportunities. He made his first transfer to Arizona but had to sit out the season due to the former transfer rules. He made a tough decision to transfer back home to Riverside Community College. His first season playing football at the collegiate level in 2017 totaled 124 yards on the ground. In 2018, Wimbish would get more playing time being the second leading rusher for Riverside totaling 677 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. His 2 years at Riverside ended and he transferred across the country to West Liberty University in West Virginia. Quincy would immediately become the starter at West Liberty having 419 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2019. West Liberty would move back its 2020 season to a shortened schedule in the spring of 2021. Wimbush would be the most dominant running back in the shortened season rushing for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns all while being named 1st Team All-MEC. In the spring prepping for the 2021 fall season, Quincy would suffer a season-ending injury. Quincy Wimbush would run out of eligibility and have to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Quincy Wimbush missing his last collegiate season hurt his draft stock leading to him going undrafted and never signing a contract with a pro football team. Wimbush could have quit, but kept grinding in the gym and working on his running technique leading to him signing with the Huntsville Astros in 2025. In a loaded backfield featuring Travon Matthews and DJ Law, Wimbish was the primary back for the Astros in their undefeated season in 2025. Quincy Wimbish is a player I really paid attention to last season when I covered the Huntsville Astros in my YouTube series called, “All About the Astros.” Head Coach for the Astros, Shane Anderson, always spoke highly of Wimbish every episode I interviewed him. Quincy Wimbish is a guy who never gave up on his dreams and fights to get every inch possible. Looking for another pro football home in 2026, the Ohio Valley Ironmen signed Wimbish to compete for the starting running back spot this next season.
Starting Lineup Prediction
1) Jeremiah Nelson
2) Quincy Wimbish
3) D’Ago Hunter
I think every running back will get playing time in 2026 for the Ironmen, but I think the depth chart will be Jeremiah Nelson, then Quincy Wimbish, and finally D’Ago Hunter. I think Jeremiah Nelson will be the starting running back due to his experience with the team and being the main running back last season for the Ironmen. Quincy Wimbish will be number two on the depth chart because he is the newcomer. For the Astros, Wimbish proved he can make a huge play at any snap. I think D’Ago Hunter will be the starter kick and punt returner but will get playing time sparingly in the red zone. The Ironmen loaded up their running back room for 2026 as it looks to be one of the best position battles in the CoFL this year. Who do you think will be the Ironmen’s starting running back in 2026?