2015 is the Year of the Running Back in the SEC.

It’s rather top-heavy, with just two seniors — Missouri’s Russell Hansbrough and Arkansas’ Jonathan Williams — figured among the conference’s 10 best players at the position.

All year, about 15 running backs will be jockeying back and forth to be included in a slam-packed Top 10.

Analyst Matt Stinchcomb, a former Georgia All-American offensive lineman, recently unveiled his Top 10 in video format (you can watch the video here) on the SEC Network.

Stinchcomb ranked Georgia’s Nick Chubb No. 1 entering the season, with LSU’s Leonard Fournette ranked No. 2, but he cautioned no one will have a clue what the Top 10 will look like come December.

“They have three offensive linemen back at LSU,” explained Stinchcomb. “They have four offensive linemen back at Georgia. Both of these top two guys, and really all of the Top 10, they could have huge years. And who knows what this list looks like at the end of the season.”

Here are Stinchcomb’s top 10 running backs:

1. Nick Chubb, Georgia (SO)
2. Leonard Fournette, LSU (SO)
3. Derrick Henry, Alabama (JR)
4. Russell Hansbrough, Missouri (SR)
5. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas (SR)
6. Roc Thomas, Auburn (SO)
7. Alex Collins, Arkansas (JR)
8. Jalen Hurd, Tennessee (SO)
9. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt (SO)
10. Kelvin Taylor, Florida (JR)

Some thoughts on his rankings:

  • There weren’t many surprises, but the biggest surprise was Auburn running back Roc Thomas at No. 6, just outside the top five. While I think Thomas will have an impact this season, most figure JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson to be the every-down back for Gus Malzahn’s offense.
  • Many Top 10 running back lists would look almost the same, but would move Thomas out of the No. 6 slot and add in Auburn’s other back Jovon Robinson.
  • The one back who could move up the furthest would be Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd. Hurd looks like the total package. Plus, he’ll have a nice complement with JUCO transfer Alvin Kamara. Hurd, however, has to prove he can stay on the field and escape injury. He was banged up for most of the 2014 season and still performed very well.

SDS’ player rankings will be unveiled in the coming week.