Editor’s note: Leading up to the start of Idaho State’s fall camp Aug. 1, we’re previewing the Bengals’ top five impact players, top five players poised to break out and top five under-the-radar talents in 2018. The players are listed in no particular order.

IMPACT

James Madison, redshirt senior running back

5-11, 227 pounds

2017 stats: 933 yards rush., 5 rush. TD; 213 yards rec., 1 rec. TD

Overview: Madison entered last season as a backup running back with 197 career yards rushing on his resume.

He’ll start the 2018 season as a returning first-team all-Big Sky Conference running back, preseason all-conference pick and borderline All-American.

Madison ranked 19th in the FCS last season with 93.3 yards rushing per game and had the Big Sky’s best single-game rushing performance — a 253-yard breakout effort against Northern Colorado.

Madison held his his spot as the Bengals’ No. 1 back after that. He had two more 100-yard rushing games and averaged a hair over 5 yards per tote.

His totals would have been higher if it weren’t for backfield mate Ty Flanagan’s 634 yards rushing.

Both backs return for an offense that ran the ball on 57.8 percent of its plays last season. The unit brings back five all-conference players from 2017, setting up Madison and Flanagan for follow-up efforts to their all-league campaigns.

Madison’s roster weight increased from 205 pounds last year to 227 heading into fall camp. In a video tweeted July 24 by ISU Director of Strength and Conditioning Dan Ryan, Madison is seen power-cleaning 385 pounds. The tweet also says Madison set an ISU running back record with a 405-pound bench press.

“We know we’ve got to set the example,” Madison said at an ISU football media event June 18 at the Orthopedic Center next to Holt Arena. “Every day at weights, we’re going hard.”

BREAKOUT

Trey Bell, redshirt sophomore wide receiver

5-9, 165 pounds

2017 stats: 92 all-purpose yards, 6 tackles

Overview: Bell is a weapon waiting to be unleashed in Idaho State’s offense.

In his first college action last season, Bell accumulated 83 kick return yards and added two receptions for 9 yards. He was also utilized on special teams coverage and tallied six tackles.

With widespread injuries to the receiving corps this spring, Bell earned plenty of first-team reps and displayed elite breakaway speed with steady hands. He was a top-level playmaker in high school, earning Idaho’s 2015 Gatorade Player of the Year honor after racking up 2,773 all-purpose yards and 30 total touchdowns his senior year for the 5A state runner-up Mountain View Mavericks, mostly as a running back.

“Trey Bell had a lot of reps because Michael Dean was on the shelf a little bit, and he did a great job,” ISU head coach Rob Phenicie said June 18.

Bell’s potential has yet to be realized at ISU. He’s one of a half-dozen wideouts that figure to be in the mix this season, along with returning all-conference pass-catchers Dean and Mitch Gueller.

But Bell’s abilities as a receiver, returner and ball carrier give ISU’s coaches some flexibility with how they use him.

UNDER THE RADAR

Aren Manu, redshirt freshman linebacker

6-0, 240 pounds

2017 stats: redshirted

Overview: In a crowded linebacker depth chart, Manu’s present value may be highest on special teams.

The redshirt freshman from Pocatello’s Highland High saw plenty of action with ISU’s special teams this spring and often earned audible praise from special teams coordinator David Fiefia and linebackers coach/defensive coordinator Roger Cooper.

Manu was a first-team all-state selection as a senior and comes from a long line of Bengals football players. Father Tony, uncle Ron and brother Taison all wore the ISU orange. Taison was a two-time all-Big Sky safety.

Aren may get his first crack at college football this fall with Fiefia’s regmiented special teams unit. Aren nabbed one of the defense’s four interceptions during this year’s Kragthorpe Classic spring game and has a nose for the ball. His speed and 240-pound frame — the second-heaviest among ISU’s linebackers — give him plenty of downhill inertia as he flies toward oncoming ball carriers.