Greg McElroy insists 3 best running backs in college football all hail from SEC
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Greg McElroy appears to be buying stock on SEC running backs heading into the 2026 season.
The Always College Football host and former Alabama quarterback revealed his list of the 10 best quarterbacks in college football on Monday, and the 3 top spots all reside in the SEC. All in all, 4 SEC running backs cracked McElroy’s top 10 list. Here’s the ranking of each:
- No. 7 — Nate Frazier, Georgia
- No. 3 — Jadan Baugh, Florida
- No. 2 — Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
- No. 1 — Ahmad Hardy, Mizzou
McElroy’s ranking should tell you just how good the SEC is at the position heading into next season considering it leaves off Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop.
Hardy and Lacy ranked 2nd and 3rd in rushing yards last season while Baugh ranked 19th. For a good chunk of the season, Hardy was considered a legitimate Heisman candidate, having totaled 1,649 rushing yards with 16 rushing touchdowns. Lacy, on the other hand, totaled 1,567 yards with an incredible 24 rushing touchdowns at an average of 5.1 yards per carry.
Of the group, Baugh has perhaps the most to prove. He was touted as one of the highest potential players in the SEC last season, but suffered thanks to a down Florida offense. As McElroy points out above, a new-look offense with Jon Sumrall running the show could catapult Baugh from great to elite.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
