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As the old saying goes, “speed kills.” Nowhere else is that adage more applicable than in the SEC, where the game’s fastest athletes gather each year in a race for supremacy.
But for speed to thrill it first must be in the game. And with that in mind we take a look at the fastest running backs in the SEC in 2016.
Stanley “Boom” Williams, Kentucky – Only one player averaged more yards per carry in the SEC (more than 11 carries) than Williams. His 7.07 yards-per-carry average was topped only by LSU’s Darrius Guice (8.55).
Williams rushed for 855 yards in 2015, his sophomore season, using his blazing speed – 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash – to outrun defenders. That speed was clocked as a 175-pound freshman. He’s up to 190 and still runs a 4.31 and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Williams had 74 yards on 13 catches last season.
Jordan Scarlett, Florida – The Gators’ second-leading rusher among running backs last season with 181 yards on 34 carries, Scarlett is fighting for playing time despite his exceptional speed. The 5-11, 200-pounder posted a 4.3 40-yard dash at The Openings.
A four-star recruit last year, Scarlett matches speed with strength, and built low to the ground, he’s tough to bring down. With Kelvin Taylor moving on to the NFL, Scarlett appears to be battling Mark Thompson and Jordan Cronkite for playing time if spring practices were any indication.
Leonard Fournette, LSU – The rare combination of size and speed is what gives Fournette the advantage over the most running backs not only in the SEC but the nation as well.
The 6-1, 230-pound Heisman hopeful posted a 4.35 time in the 40 and has run a 10.68 in the 100.
Big, strong, and fast, Fournette led the SEC last season as a sophomore with an average of 162.75 yards per game. It’s absolutely scary for smaller defensive backs to think that this locomotive is a year older and could be an even better runner than last year.
David Williams, South Carolina – Apparently ready to take center stage as the Gamecocks’ featured back, Williams has had a couple of years to hone his craft. Playing behind Mike Davis and then Brandon Wilds, Williams is the most experienced back returning to the Gamecocks for 2016. He has breakaway speed (sub-4.4 in the 40) which belies his 6-1, 215-pound frame and looks to add to his 2015 rushing totals of 299 yards on 86 carries.
Jalen Hurd, Tennessee – Big and fast, Hurd piled up 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore last season. The 6-3, 230-pound freight train looks to compliment quarterback Joshua Dobbs as the Vols seek to rise to the top of the SEC East.
He outran defensive backs last season and ran took on all opposing linebackers as well. Clocked at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash coming out of high school, Hurd has only gotten better as a running back.
He rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown and was named the 2016 Outback Bowl MVP.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
