Fans do a lot of bragging this time of the year, especially in the recruiting-dominant SEC. But which SEC schools have recruited the best running backs in the last decade, as judged by the number of four- and five-star recruits?
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RUNNING BACKS
3. Florida (9 four- or five-star signees: Mon Williams, Chevon Walker, Chris Rainey, Bo Williams, Jeff Demps, Mike Gillislee, Mack Brown, Mike Blakely, Kelvin Taylor)
Judging on the number of top commitments at the position alone, the Gators barely edged out South Carolina, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Auburn for the third spot. Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp brought in top running back recruits on a consistent basis, probably none better than a pair of speedsters in Rainey and Demps — literally a world-class sprinter.
Mike Gillislee managed a 1,000-yard season, but most of the nine can be classified as a disappointment. Kelvin Taylor still holds two years of eligibility, so maybe he can turn the Tide.
Noteworthy totals in Gainesville
- Rainey: 2,464 rushing yards on 6.2 yards per carry, 795 receiving yards, six receiving TDs, two punt return TDs
- Demps: 2,470 rushing yards on 6.7 yards per carry, 25 total touchdowns
T1. Georgia (14 four- or five-star signees: Knowshon Moreno, Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas, Dontavius Jackson, Washaun Ealey, Ken Malcome, Isaiah Crowell, Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, A.J. Turman, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Alexander Ogletree)
After Moreno, a first-round pick who has gone on to a so-so NFL career, Georgia went through a bit of a drought in terms of high-rated recruits in the backfield blossoming into star performers. Isaiah Crowell did well in college and has the makings of a competent NFL running back, but he transferred and produced much of his college totals elsewhere.
Then came the Todd Gurley/Keith Marshall/Sony Michel/Nick Chubb quartet. The last three seasons have represented a renaissance for the Bulldogs in the backfield, with big things ahead for the latter three in 2015 under new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
Noteworthy totals in Athens
- Moreno: 2,736 rushing yards, 30 rushing touchdowns, 53 receptions in just two seasons
- Gurley: 3,285 rushing yards on 6.4 yards per carry, 65 receptions
T1. Alabama (14 four- or five-star signees: Roy Upchurch, Mark Ingram, Chris Jackson, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, Jalston Fowler, Brent Calloway, Dee Hart, T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, Derrick Henry, Atlee Tenpenny, Tyren Jones, Alvin Kamara)
The story of touted Crimson Tide backs typically ends in one of two ways: the NFL or a transfer due to lack of playing time. Mark Ingram won a Heisman Trophy. Trent Richardson arguably was a better college back. Roy Upchurch, Eddie Lacy, T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry were or are megastars. Jalston Fowler should get drafted.
Brent Calloway was a huge bust, but even some of the transfers — Dee Hart, for example — have succeeded elsewhere. Even four- and five-star running backs have trouble seeing the field at this point, as Nick Saban typically stockpiles at least two every recruiting class. Several of these players still have eligibility, so the list of stars could grow in the next two years.
Noteworthy totals in Tuscaloosa
- Ingram: 3,931 yards of total offense, 46 total touchdowns
- Richardson: 3,860 yards of total offense, 43 total touchdowns
- Lacy: 2,402 rushing yards on 6.8 yards per carry, 30 rushing touchdowns
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
