SEC career rushing leaders list could get makeover in 2016
By Chris Wright
Published:
The SEC’s top 10 career rushing list hasn’t changed since Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon joined the group in 2009.
Oh, the SEC has produced plenty of elite backs since then, but most left after their junior year for the NFL, ending their realistic bid at rewriting the top 10.
Alabama’s Mark Ingram left early in 2010 with 3,261 yards — just 600 shy of a top 10 spot. A year later, former teammate Trent Richardson left early with 3,130 yards.
In 2013, Auburn’s Tre Mason left with 2,979. Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon left early after the 2014 season, finishing with 3,322.
Arkansas’ Alex Collins (3,703) and Alabama’s Derrick Henry (3,591) were on pace to challenge Herschel Walker’s career record of 5,259 — which he set in three years — but both left early for this year’s NFL Draft.
Collins’ total ranks 12th on the SEC’s career list, Henry’s 13th.
Barring injury, the top 10 list is all but guaranteed of getting a makeover in 2016.
LSU’s Leonard Fournette enters his junior year with 2,987 career yards. He needs 2,273 yards to break Walker’s record, but just 849 to bump Kentucky’s Sonny Collins out of the top 10.
Last season, Fournette ran for 1,953 yards in 12 games — and that included the Heisman-halting 31 against Alabama.
If LSU makes a run to the playoffs, Fournette could play in 14 or 15 games, making his pursuit of 2,000-plus yards even more realistic.
Georgia’s Nick Chubb has 2,294 career yards. In theory, he would have a chance at a 1,600-yard season, but his injury and Sony Michel’s emergence likely will result in a more even workload for both.
Jalen Hurd will enter his junior season with 2,187 yards, almost 1,650 yards shy of a top 10 spot. Tennessee’s single-season record is 1,464, which Travis Stephens set in 2001. Hurd would benefit if the Vols reach the SEC Championship Game.
Vanderbilt’s Ralph Webb also will make a run at the list. He enters his junior year with 2,059 yards. Will he leave early also? If not, he’s on pace to become the eighth SEC running back in history to crack 4,000 yards.
Top 10 career rushers in SEC history
| Player | School | Yards | Career |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Herschel Walker | Georgia | 5,259 | 1980-82 |
| 2. Darren McFadden | Arkansas | 4,590 | 2005-07 |
| 3. Kevin Faulk | LSU | 4,557 | 1995-98 |
| 4. Bo Jackson | Auburn | 4,303 | 1982-85 |
| 5. Errict Rhett | Florida | 4,163 | 1990-93 |
| 6. Dalton Hilliard | LSU | 4,050 | 1982-85 |
| 7. Charles Alexander | LSU | 4,035 | 1975-78 |
| 8. Anthony Dixon | Miss. State | 3,994 | 2006-09 |
| 9. Emmitt Smith | Florida | 3,928 | 1987-89 |
| 10. Sonny Collins | Kentucky | 3,835 | 1972-75 |
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
