Ranking The Top 10 running backs in the SEC
If it’s quarterbacks the SEC lacks, it’s running backs we are overflowing with. Leonard Fournette, Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb….the list runs on. It’s probably the hardest list we’ll have to do all season (that and the “Who’s going to win the SEC West” poll).
Anyway, here’s our Top 10….
6-1, 250lbs and very, very fast, Fournette ran for 1,034 yards and 10 TDs, and also had seven receptions for 127 yards. His season was highlighted by his running over a Texas A&M defender, and since then, he’s been a Heisman favorite. Some might think this is a little strong, bearing in mind he’s got a year to go in his Tigers career, but then again, they’ve obviously not seen Leonard Fournette properly. We also like Fournette’s willingness to share the pigskin – we expect Darrel Williams and freshman Derrius Guice – who came in as a the No.5-rated RB in the country to share some of the payload.
2. Nick Chubb (Georgia)
Chubb came in as a relative unknown with the suspension of Todd Gurley, and arrived in style, taking Georgia’s offense on his back while scoring 14 TDs and putting up 1,547 yards, which included two 200+ yard games including a season-high 266 on Bobby Petrino and Louisville in the Belk Bowl. Chubb didn’t just have the power that drove Georgia on – he also had the speed, putting his track and field skills to good use. As with Fournette and Henry, he can also catch – 18 receptions for 213 yards. Chubb may see less numbers than Henry and Fournette this year, especially with the arrival (again) of Keith Marshall, and Sony Michel’s return. Georgia’s stacked at RB, and Chubb’s going to lead it.
3. Derrick Henry (Alabama)
We saw Derrick Henry in person in Atlanta in the SEC Championship Game, and the size and speed of the running took our breath away. Defensive players simply seemed to bounce off him. It was only because of Alabama’s deep running back stable that Henry did not get to the 1,000 yard mark last season – he had 990 yards and 11 TDs. He also caught 5 balls for 133 yards. We expect him to be Lane Kiffin’s biggest weapon of 2015. That’s not good news for SEC defenses.
4. Alex Collins (Arkansas)
Now that his teammate Jonathan Williams is done for the year (foot injury), all the pressure’s going to be on Collins to perform. Thankfully for Hogs fans, Collins isn’t a great step-down, having had 1,100 yards and 204 touches lst season. Collins also has a great deal for speed, and with the dreadlocks flowing behind him, he’s a helluva lot of fun to watch. Oh, and he’s playing behind a mammoth offensive line – a trademark of Bret Bielema’s teams. He’ll be OK.
5. Russell Hansborough (Missouri)
Hansborough was a difficult man to stop in 2014. His 1,084, 10 TD numbers would indicate that. There are some worries in the Missouri camp that with the loss of Marcus Murphy to the NFL (He’s now at the New Orleans Saints, where he’s an unsigned draft pick), that the Tigers will step back at a notch. Don’t worry folks: With Hansborough, Mizzou will be just fine….especially if Ish Witter and Morgan Steward can stay healthy. And Maty Mauk does his job properly at QB.
6. Roc Thomas (Auburn)
A lot of people are talking up Javon Robinson, the Tigers’ monster juco signing, but I haven’t seen anything of him, so I can’t really comment. Yes, he did well at Juco level in Georgia, but is that really the SEC? Thomas, however, has has flashes of one of the SEC’s most exciting young prospects. His thrilling Spring Game (say of that what you will) excited a lot of people, although we loved the fact that he was running at an average of 5 yards a carry last year, despite struggling a little with injuries. If he can stay healthy, opposite defenses and fans alike should be scared.
7. Jalen Hurd (Tennessee)
The fact that Hurd’s not higher just shows how damned good our conference is at running back, doesn’t it? Hurd is going to have his jersey retired by his high school (Beech) in Hendersonville, TN, but he’ll have to remain healthy for a couple of seasons for it to happen at Knoxville, people. Listen, Hurd’s freshman season of 899 yards and 5 TDs – as well as 35 receptions and 221 yards (and 2 TDs) was excellent, but he’s going to have to get healthier to move up my list.
8. Kelvin Taylor (Florida)
It must be difficult when your father’s a future Hall of Famer. That’s the problem for Kelvin Taylor, who must be battling the football ghosts of Christmas past every time he goes on the field. Anyway, Florida’s awful offense had a couple of bright spots – and one of these was Taylor, who ran for 565 yards and 6 TDs for the Gators. This included a monster game against Georgia (197 yards, 2 TDs), and sharing the load with Matt Jones, who decided to go to the NFL (he was drafted in the 3rd round by Washington). If he can share some load with Jordan Scarlett or other players, this sleeper Heisman pick (by friend of the program Barrett Sallee, not me!) could have quite the year.
9. Kenyan Drake (Alabama)
If Drake’s at full speed, he’ll be a lot higher up this list mid-way through the season, we can promise you. A victim of a sickening leg break against Ole Miss, Drake has been running and cutting just fine, according to reports. If he truly is up to full speed, then the combination with Derrick Henry in Lane Kiffin’s new speeded-up offense could be frightening. He’s also been starring in movies with sorority girls (no, not like that!), which is nice.
10. Tra Carson (Texas A&M)
Carson has seen his carries and yards numbers at a career-level record (124 carries for 581 yards) , and he’s a heck of a speed option to have for Texas A&M’s high-octane offense. If Kevin Sumlin decides to focus a little more on the running game instead of giving it to Kyle Allen to throw 400 times a game, Carson’s going to cause some trouble.