Time will tell if the SEC’s incoming 2015 class of running backs can match last year’s star-studded group highlighted by Leonard Fournette, Nick Chubb and Jalen Hurd, but there’s certainly star potential in the league’s 22-player haul.

Editor’s note: Star ratings are based on the 247Composite. Several teams signed ‘athletes’ who could later play running back, but only true ballcarriers are listed in this exercise.

Meet the SEC’s 2015 RB signees

Eastern Division (10)

  • Alvin Kamara, Tennessee, JUCO, 4-star
  • Jordan Scarlett, Florida, 4-star
  • D’Anfernee McGriff, Florida, 4-star
  • Jordan Cronkrite, Florida, 4-star
  • Chase Abbington, Mizzou, JUCO, 4-star
  • Ryan Williams, Mizzou, 3-star
  • A.J. Turner, South Carolina, 3-star
  • Mon Denson, South Carolina, 3-star
  • Siheim King, Kentucky, 3-star
  • Josh Crawford, Vanderbilt, 3-star

Notes: There’s three players who stick out as potential instant-impact ballcarriers — Kamara, Scarlett and Abbington. Kamara had an excellent spring in Knoxville as an early enrollee and should see extensive action as the Vols’ No. 2 option behind Hurd this season. Scarlett, one of four U.S. Army All-Americans signed by the Gators, will press Adam Lane for playing time in the second slot if he learns Jim McElwain’s offense quickly. Mizzou’s coaching staff has compared Abbington to Shane Vereen of the New England Patriots, a multi-position H-back hybrid. Thanks to a plethora of talent and depth in the backfield, Georgia didn’t sign a running back for the first time in several seasons.

Western Division (13)

  • Damien Harris, Alabama, 5-star
  • Jovon Robinson, Auburn, JUCO, 4-star
  • Derrius Guice, LSU, 4-star
  • Jay Bradford, Texas A&M, 4-star
  • Eric Swinney, Ole Miss, 4-star
  • Nick Gibson, Mississippi State, 4-star
  • Nick Brossette, LSU, 4-star
  • Desherrius Flowers, Alabama, 4-star
  • Javarius Davis, Auburn, 4-star
  • Alec Murphy, Mississippi State, 3-star
  • Kendall Bussey, Texas A&M, 3-star
  • Rawleigh Williams, Arkansas, 3-star
  • Keith Mixon, Mississippi State, 3-star

Notes: Not only will Robinson be the Tigers’ featured back this season, he’ll likely lead all SEC newcomers in rushing as a key component of Gus Malzahn’s offense. Robinson shared the rushing load in Auburn’s spring game with Roc Thomas who impressed the coaching staff with 81 yards of total offense in two quarters. Thin in the backfield behind Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake, the Crimson Tide reloaded with Harris and Flowers, a pair of coveted backs. Harris signed with Alabama over finalists Kentucky (home state) and Ohio State. Neither Flowers, an early enrollee, or Harris is expected to redshirt following Bo Scarbrough’s ACL tear during a spring scrimmage. At LSU, Darrel Williams is the only returning running back besides Fournette who posted at least 10 carries last season meaning Guice and Brossette should see a fair share of attempts in the second-team race. Brossette is rcovering emtionally from the recent death of his older brother Mendel Esnault, the sole provider in the Brossette family. LSU has set up an aid fun for Brossette at www.lsutaf.org.