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SEC Running Back Rankings
Like the quarterback position, the SEC is loaded with deep talent at running back. I think 10 teams could consider their running backs a strength of their team.
1.Georgia
Thomas Brown (5-8, 185, Jr) 147-736-4 rushing
Danny Ware (6-1, 223, Jr) 101-492-1 rushing
Kregg Lumpkin (6-1, 220, Jr) 66-335-3 rushing
Knowshon Moreno (5-11, 205, Fr)
Brown is the best of this deep group of junior running backs. He is the most complete of the trio. Ware showed signs of brilliance as a freshman but has battled injuries and fumbles. Lumpkin has also had his problems with his knee but is fully recovered. Moreno is the future but there appears to be no room for him in 2006.
2. Auburn
Kenny Irons (5-11, 200, Sr) 256-1293-13 rushing
Brad Lester (5-11, 185, So) 52-339-5 rushing
Tre Smith (5-10, 200, Sr) 56-285-3 rushing
Carl Stewart (6-2, 220, Jr)
Mario Fannin (5-11, 210, Fr)
Ben Tate (5-11, 210, Fr)
Irons is a Heisman candidate after rushing for almost 1,300 yards last season. He will get as many carries as any back in the SEC. Lester will take over in 2007. Smith and Stewart could play for almost any team in the country. Auburn is very committed to the run and this group and this group is a major reason why.
3. Arkansas
Darren McFadden (6-2, 210, So) 176-1113-11 rushing
Felix Jones (6-0, 202, So) 99-626-3 rushing
Michael Smith (5-7, 170, Fr)
McFadden might be the best back in the league. He had an incredible true freshman season. The Hogs want to throw the ball more but McFadden is still the main man. Jones is one of the best second-team backs in the country. He had a great freshman campaign as well by averaging over 6 yards per carry.
4. Alabama
Kenneth Darby (5-11, 205, Sr) 239-1242-3 rushing
Roy Upchurch (6-0, 195, Fr)
Jimmy Johns (6-2, 225, So) 38-202-0 rushing
Mike Ford (6-2, 205, Fr)
Terry Grant (5-10, 190, Fr)
Bama has a workhorse in Darby and a bunch of young talent trying to be his successor. Darby is a tough, hard-nosed, dependable back. Upchurch red-shirted last season but is extremely talented. Johns is a big back that showed some signs last year. Ford is as talented as any back coming out of prep school if he is eligible. Grant is a speedster that can take it the distance on any carry.
5. LSU
Alley Brousard (6-0, 237, Jr)
Justin Vincent (5-10, 220, Sr) 121-488-5 rushing
R.J. Jackson (6-0, 205, Fr)
Keiland Williams (6-1, 210, Fr)
LSU might have the second best running back situation if they were all healthy. Instead almost their entire backfield has had knee problems. Brousard and Vincent could be the nation’s top combination but both have concerns about their knees. Williams may get forced into action but he is more than capable.
6. Tennessee
Arian Foster (6-1, 215, So) 183-879-5 rushing
Monterio Hardesty (6-0, 205, So)
LaMarcus Coker (5-11, 205, Fr)
Dustin Lindsey (6-1, 225, Fr)
When healthy, Foster reminds me of Darren McFadden. Tennessee’s offense was not the same without him. Hardesty is a speed guy that should get more reps this season. Lindsey was one of the nation’s top high school backs last year. The Vols need to get their running game back in gear if they want to have the success that is expected in Knoxville.
7. Florida
DeShawn Wynn (5-11, 232, Sr) 130-621-7 rushing
Markus Manson (6-0, 210, So) 81-365-2 rushing
Kestahn Moore (5-10, 212, So) 48-277-1 rushing
Chevon Walker (5-11, 185, Fr)
Urban Meyers was never pleased with his offense or his backs last season. Wynn has potential to be the every down back but needs to have a big senior season. Manson and Moore are good ones. Moore catches the ball extremely well out of the backfield. Walker went through spring practice and has a chance to come in and play right away.
8. South Carolina
Mike Davis (5-9, 210, So) 146-666-5 rushing
Corey Boyd (6-1, 208, Jr)
Bobby Wallace (5-7, 185, So)
The Gamecocks ran the football much better in the last few games of 2005 and that improvement should continue in 2006. Davis ended the season by rushing for 89 yards against Arkansas, 88 against Florida, 111 against Clemson and 125 against Missouri. Boyd returns after a suspension but he rushed for 541 yards in his first two seasons.
9. Kentucky
Rafael Little (5-10, 200, Jr) 197-1045-9 rushing 46-449-0 receiving
Tony Dixon (5-9, 208, So)
Alphonso Smith (6-1, 200, Fr)
Demetrius Goode (5-10, 185, Fr)
No team in the SEC depends on one player the way Kentucky depends on Little. He is a terrific open-field runner who catches the ball well. The staff feels like Goode may be better in the long run.
10. Vanderbilt
Cassen Jackson-Garrison (6-1, 225, Jr) 97-539-8 rushing
Jeff Jennings (6-1, 225, Jr) 123-448-7 rushing
Jared Hawkins (5-10, 190, Fr)
Vandy feels pretty good about their running game entering the 2006 campaign. Jackson-Garrison is a talent and should be counted on to be more involved in the post-Cutler offense. Jennings is hoping to be healthy in 2006 as well.
11. Ole Miss
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (5-11, 210, Jr) Indiana Transfer
Mico McSwain (6-1, 205, So) 124-612-3 rushing
Cordera Eason (6-1, 235, Fr)
Green-Ellis transfers to Ole Miss from Indiana and has an inside track on the starting job after the spring. McSwain is a speed demon. Eason is a big powerful back that should be a part of this offense as a true freshman.
12. Mississippi State
Brandon Thornton (5-10, 188, So) 47-225-1 rushing
Brandon Hart (5-10, 233, So) 11-24-0 rushing
Anthony Dixon (6-1, 230, Fr)
The Bulldogs are trying to replace Jerious Norwood and his 1,110 yards. Thornton is thought of as a dependable back. Dixon is a big freshman that has an opportunity.
National Top 10 Backs
1. Adrian Peterson Oklahoma
2. Darren McFadden Arkansas
3. Steve Slaton West Virginia
4. Marshawn Lynch Cal
5. Michael Bush Louisville
6. Kenny Irons Auburn
7. Albert Young Iowa
8. James Davis Clemson
9. Brian Leonard Rutgers
10. Tyrell Sutton Northwestern
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