In an effort to track the SEC’s best running backs, we’ll release a running top 10 each Monday. The criteria will involve a mix of talent, recent past performance, 2015 production and outlook.
After Week 7, here are the SEC’s 10 best running backs.
10. Kenyan Drake, Alabama: Not that Drake is a bad player. But the Tide haven’t utilized him all that much this season. Coming off a major leg injury, perhaps he’s a fraction of a second slower this year. He’s still fairly productive when he touches the ball, which is why he takes this final spot ahead of Kelvin Taylor (just 3.6 yards per carry), Jaylen Walton (not as productive as a receiver) and Nick Chubb (not likely to finish in the SEC’s top 10 for rushing yards after a season-ending injury). The SEC isn’t nearly as deep at running back as it has been in recent seasons. It’s just that, especially before Chubb got hurt, there are three or four really special ones.
This Week: 5 carries, 11 yards; 2 receptions, 0 yards
Season: 55 carries, 255 yards, 1 touchdown; 15 receptions, 178 yards, 1 touchdown
9. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt: Box score writers must think Webb is little more than a Vandy scrub. But a glimpse at his receiving numbers say otherwise. A porous offensive line and arguably the most limited downfield passing game in the conference make it difficult for him to get yards between the tackles, which explains his 4.0 yards per carry. But he’s durable and effective in the open field. Given better circumstances around him, he’d be more appreciated in the SEC.
This Week: 16 carries, 58 yards; 2 receptions, 23 yards
Season: 124 carries, 495 yards, 3 touchdowns; 19 receptions, 161 yards, 2 touchdowns
8. Stanley “Boom” Williams, Kentucky: The Wildcats continue to baffle me with their usage of Williams. He managed 113 rushing yards in Thursday’s loss to Auburn — on just 16 carries. Oh, and that ties his season high. And he averages 7.2 yards per carry. Williams has just nine catches this year despite seemingly being a good fit as an outlet in the Air Raid offense. What gives?
This Week: 16 carries, 113 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 reception, 7 yards
Season: 63 carries, 456 yards, 3 touchdowns; 9 receptions, 37 yards
7. Sony Michel, Georgia: The best third-down/changeup back in the conference also benefits from UGA’s terrific offensive line. He ranks seventh in the SEC in rushing, sixth in yards per carry and 31st in receptions. Now that he’s the starter, expect his numbers to allow him to leapfrog others on those lists as the season progresses. Even against Missouri’s stout defense, he managed 100 total yards in Week 7.
This Week: 26 carries, 87 yards; 4 receptions, 13 yards
Season: 89 carries, 508 yards, 4 touchdowns; 16 receptions, 187 yards, 3 touchdowns
6. Tra Carson, Texas A&M: For all of coach Kevin Sumlin’s insistence that the Aggies would get more physical in 2015, the team still isn’t great shakes along the line of scrimmage. Still, Carson’s 110 yards against Mississippi State were impressive, and his 13 carries for 46 yards against Alabama don’t look so bad right now. He’s reliable out of the backfield, a decent receiver and a player who can handle a significant workload. Right now, that’s enough in the SEC, which features a pretty big line of demarcation between the five best running backs and the rest.
This Week: 13 carries, 46 yards; 5 receptions, 16 yards
Season: 108 carries, 476 yards, 4 touchdowns; 16 receptions, 116 yards, 1 touchdown
5. Peyton Barber, Auburn: He won’t get the recognition he deserves due to the team’s sub-par season, but Barber has been a godsend for the Tigers offense in 2015. Many analysts pinned Barber as the third wheel in the Auburn backfield entering fall camp, but he’s emerged as a steady presence that will gain four or five yards again and again. Sometimes, especially within a struggling offense, that’s more valuable than occasional flash plays. Barber nearly notched his fifth 100-yard game at Kentucky.
This Week: 26 carries, 92 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 reception, 16 yards
Season: 135 carries, 650 yards, 8 touchdowns; 5 receptions, 59 yards
4. Jalen Hurd, Tennessee: The Vols offensive line is similar to Florida’s in that it doesn’t get much push, ranking 12th in the SEC in tackles for loss allowed. That’s in spite of a mobile quarterback in Joshua Dobbs. Alvin Kamara hasn’t offered as much help in the backfield as some hoped. And the passing game hasn’t alleviated much pressure either. Yet Hurd still has managed to run for a respectable 4.5 yards per carry and seven touchdowns. Put his blend of size and speed behind the LSU or Alabama offensive line — or even Auburn’s — and he’d be threatening Henry for second in the conference in rushing yards.
This Week: Bye
Season: 126 carries, 572 yards, 7 touchdowns; 9 receptions, 85 yards, 1 touchdown
3. Alex Collins, Arkansas: Despite an outstanding performance against Tennessee (154 rushing yards on Oct. 3), Collins still needs to show his body is capable of remaining productive deep into the SEC season. To date, that’s his only 100-yard game post-September (out of 17 attempts). He managed just 26 yards on 12 carries Saturday against Alabama. Granted, the Tide have one of the best run defenses in the country. But the Arkansas back isn’t getting the benefit of the doubt deep into his third season. If Collins wears down again, the Razorbacks’ misery only will grow.
This Week: 12 carries, 26 yards; 1 reception, 4 yards
Season: 125 carries, 682 yards, 6 touchdowns; 4 receptions; 22 yards
2. Derrick Henry, Alabama: He decimated the Texas A&M defense, singlehandedly exposing the Aggies for a team that still needs to shore up the run defense. If not for Fournette’s otherworldly performances, Henry probably would be getting some extensive Heisman Trophy talk, at least within SEC circles. And if Alabama reaches the College Football Playoff, and Henry keeps reaching the end zone, that still could happen.
This Week: 32 carries, 236 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 reception, 18 yards
Season: 152 carries, 901 yards, 12 touchdowns; 8 receptions, 69 yards
1. Leonard Fournette, LSU: He’s a much more fluid runner this year. He looks more comfortable. He sometimes avoids tackles. His straight-line speed has been more evident. He’s developing vision and patience. But he’s still most comfortable running with bad intentions, as he showed Saturday against Florida in delivering what could fairly be categorized as a punch. Not many teams — Alabama, maybe? — are up for tackling him for four quarters.
This Week: 31 carries, 180 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 reception, 15 yards
Season: 150 carries, 1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns; 6 receptions, 56 yards
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.
