If you have followed much of the national media’s talk about the SEC leading into the 2015 season, you know that much of the focus has been on two areas: the lack of experienced quarterbacks and the wealth of talent at the running back position.

Our rankings of the career numbers for some of the league’s starting quarterbacks seems to support the inexperience narrative, but do the career numbers for the running backs support the league’s purported strength?

I tend to think so.

If nothing else, these career rankings are further illustration of the significance of the injury to Jonathan Williams, which is likely to keep him out for the entire season.

However, they do also highlight what a solid replacement Alex Collins is as the Razorbacks lead back, and ultimately confirm it is a shame that we won’t get to see them work in tandem this year.

Another trend to note is the amount of sophomores that have already worked their way onto the Top 10 lists after strong freshman campaigns.

When we re-evaluate these rankings after the season, the numbers that Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette, Ralph Webb and Jalen Hurd have produced after two seasons are likely to be pretty impressive.

Here is a look at how the career rushing leaders stack up heading into the 2015 season:

RUSHING ATTEMPTS

1. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas (Senior) — 406
2. Alex Collins, Arkansas (Junior) — 394
3. Russell Hansbrough, Missouri (Senior) — 356
4. Brandon Wilds, South Carolina (Senior) — 256
5. Jaylen Walton, Ole Miss (Senior) — 242
6. Kelvin Taylor, Florida (Junior) — 227
7. Nick Chubb, Georgia (Sophomore) — 219
8. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt (Sophomore) — 212
9. Derrick Henry, Alabama (Junior) — 208
10. Jalen Hurd, Tennessee (Sophomore) — 190

RUSHING YARDS

1. Jonathan Williams, 2,321
2. Alex Collins, 2,126
3. Russell Hansbrough, 1,908
4. Nick Chubb, 1,547
5. Derrick Henry, 1,372
6. Brandon Wilds, 1,277
7. Jaylen Walton, 1,227
8. Kenyan Drake, Alabama (Senior) — 1,087
9. Kelvin Taylor, 1,073
10. Leonard Fournette, LSU (Sophomore) — 1,034

RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS

1. Kenyan Drake, 17
T2. Jonathan Williams, 16
T2. Alex Collins, 16
T4. Russell Hansbrough, 14
T4. Derrick Henry, 14
T4. Nick Chubb, 14
T7. Jaylen Walton, 12
T7. Tra Carson, Texas A&M (Senior) — 12
T9. Brandon Wilds, 10
T9. Kelvin Taylor, 10
T9. Leonard Fournette, 10