Top Dawgs: Ranking the SEC running back depth charts

With spring rapidly on the way, we continue to look around the SEC and rank teams’ depth charts in key areas. Earlier, we ranked the quarterbacks. This time it’s running backs.

A few ground rules: We didn’t distinguish between halfbacks and fullbacks, because we’re just talking about ball carriers. We didn’t go past two deep in this ranking, although some other runners are mentioned. Quarterbacks obviously are part of the run game, but they aren’t part of this depth chart. Finally, the ranking is mostly based off of what we know going forward, not necessarily what might happen.

If only we could read the future.

But until then, here’s where the SEC running back depth chart shakes down today.

14. Ole Miss: Sr. Eugene Brazley, Sr. Jordan Wilkins

Hugh Freeze’s system hasn’t shown the ability to create a monster running back yet, and this is an unlikely group for 2017. Top rusher Akeem Judd was a senior, so the top returning back is Brazley, who had 222 yards in 2015 and 261 in 2016. Jordan Wilkins may have been the starter, but he was academically ineligible, although he is expected back for 2017. Wilkins had 379 rushing yards and four scores in 2015. Recent recruits could see the field, but unless one of them blows up, this is an underwhelming group.

13. Mississippi State: Jr. Aeris Williams, Fr. Kylin Hill

The biggest star in the State ground game is QB Nick Fitzgerald, but Williams (137-720-4) was a solid contributor in 2016. Most of State’s other top backs were seniors. Jr. Dontavian Lee saw some time last year, but don’t be surprised if the true freshman Hill, a 4-star prospect per 247sports.com, is the true second option behind Williams.

(Or third, rather, also behind Fitzgerald, who finished second in the SEC with 1,375 rushing yards last season.)

12. Tennessee: Jr. John Kelly, Soph. Carlin Fils-aime

Tennessee lost Jalen Hurd midseason and Alvin Kamara to the NFL Draft. Kelly is a gamer who has been recruited over, but just keeps grinding (98-630-5). Fils-aime played well in limited time in 2016, but his 58 yards makes him the Vols’ second leading returning rusher. He could be the No. 2 option.

Another possibility is true frosh Ty Chandler, a 4-star prospect who 247sports.com called the No. 5 running back prospect in the country. Tennessee lost a lot of talent here, and virtually everywhere else on offense, so there are questions (and opportunities) for the running backs heading into the spring.

11. South Carolina: Soph. Rico Dowdle, Soph. A.J. Turner

Carolina had a late-charging star with the emergence of true frosh Dowdle (133-764-6). Before he emerged, redshirt freshman A.J. Turner (116-497-3) was tops among a group of rotating backs. Like most of Carolina’s personnel groups, this is a young, but talented unit.

10. Florida: Jr. Jordan Scarlett, Soph. Lamical Perine

Some of Florida’s more-hyped options didn’t emerge, but Scarlett (below) separated from the pack and had a solid campaign (179-889-6) to lead the ground game.

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Perine wasn’t a highly regarded recruit, but he played well in relief (91-421-1). JUCO back Mark Thompson was something of a disappointment (68-299-2), but he gives the Gators another option.

9. Kentucky: Soph. Benny Snell, Jr. Siheim King

Kentucky would have boasted one of the strongest groups in the league, but Boom Williams left early for the NFL. The cupboard isn’t bare, with power-runner Snell (186-1,091-13) still around. Snell was virtually unstoppable in short-yardage situations. King has played well in very brief bursts (127 yards in 2015, 11-81-1 in ’16), and could be the speed back opposite Snell. If not King, redshirt freshman A.J. Rose or true frost Bryant Koback could get the call.

8. Missouri: Soph. Damarea Crockett, Sr. Ish Witter

With the emphasis on the air attack at Mizzou, it was unclear who might star in the backfield. Oklahoma transfer Alex Ross and JUCO back Nate Strong were both disappointing, but Crockett was a speedy home-run threat as a true freshman (153-1,062-10).

Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Witter was the leading returning rusher (518 yards, 1 TD in 2015), and he was a good change-of-pace back (162-750-6). Strong could shine in 2017 as well. If Missouri’s entire program was in as good of shape as its backfield, the Tigers would be just fine.

7. Texas A&M: Soph. Trayveon Williams, Sr. Keith Ford

Williams was a highly regarded recruit, but few expected him to explode as a true freshman. But he did (156-1,057-8) and was one of the most promising freshmen in the league. Ford, a transfer from Oklahoma, played well behind Williams (126-669-6). Sophomore Kendall Bussey was good for 8.6 yards per carry in a reserve role at well. There are more publicized backs, but A&M is in capable hands with this duo.

6. Vanderbilt: Sr. Ralph Webb, Jr. Khari Blasingame

The Commodores kept all-time leading rusher Webb (250-1,283-13) for another season, which places them much higher on the list than they would have been without him. Webb is tough inside or outside, as is well completed by Blasingame (97-449-10), a converted linebacker. The depth behind those two is untested, but Vandy has a terrific 1-2 punch to open the spring.

5. LSU: Jr. Derrius Guice, Sr. Darrel Williams

Leonard Fournette is gone, but he was rarely healthy in 2016 anyway. Guice emerged as a star, winning the SEC rushing title (183-1,387-15). Just as Guice stepped up behind Fournette, somebody will step up behind Guice. Williams was a 4-star recruit in 2014. He ran for 296 yards in 2015 and 233 last year. Jr. Nick Brossette has big-play skills as well, and could be the backup to Guice. In any case, LSU is deep and talented, which is good because the Tigers signed just one tailback in this class.

4. Arkansas: Jr. Rawleigh Williams, Soph. Devwah Whaley

It would be hard to decide who was a bigger surprise for the Razorbacks — Austin Allen or Rawleigh Williams. Williams was a capable reserve in 2015 (254 rushing yards) coming off a serious neck injury, but he returned with a vengeance (245-1,360-12). Whaley was a highly touted true frosh who lived up to the hype as a backup (110-602-3). A year ago, running back was a question mark for Arkansas — now it’s an exclamation point.

3. Alabama: Jr. Damien Harris, Jr. Bo Scarbrough

Unlike last season, when Harris was Bama’s top returning rusher with 157 yards, Alabama returns an experienced stable of backs in 2017. Harris (146 carries-1,037 yards-2 touchdowns) led the team in rushing in 2016, but with Jalen Hurts approaching his numbers and fellow back Scarbrough (125-812-11) asserting himself as a goal-line star, it’s anybody guess how things will shake down in 2017.

Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Did we mention bluest of blue-chip recruits, Najee Harris, whom 247Sports.com tabbed as the No. 3 player in the entire nation? Bama’s backfield will be very capable again.

2. Auburn: Jr. Kamryn Pettway, Jr. Kerryon Johnson

After losing Jovon Robinson, Auburn was expected to take a step back on the ground in 2016. Not so fast. Pettway was amazing when he was healthy (209-1,224-7). And even once he was injured, Johnson barely missed a beat off the bench (182-895-11). Simply put, Auburn’s 1-2 punch is among the best in the conference — and the nation — in 2017. The Tigers have impressive depth, but the two stars will probably be the center of the offense.

1. Georgia: Sr. Nick Chubb, Sr. Sony Michel

It’s amazing that Georgia returned not one, but two NFL Draft eligible stud backs. Chubb (224-1,130-8) battled injuries that limited his effectiveness but is one of the most talented players in the nation. Michel gets lost in his shadow, but he ran for 1,161 yards in replacing Chubb midway through 2015, and followed up with a similar effort last year (152-840-4). Third-stringer Brian Herrien (63-363-3) would star for many teams. The Bulldogs are absolutely loaded.