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SEC running backs compare favorably with conference in America.
The past two running backs to win the Heisman were from Alabama. Many others have been in the discussion.
Let’s take a look at the 20 greatest running back recruits in SEC history, according to 274sports all-time composite rankings:
1. Leonard Fournette
Team: LSU
Class: 2014
NFL Draft: N/A
247Sports Rating: .9996
Skinny: Fournette tops the list as the SEC’s greatest running back recruit, and he’s No. 13 overall among recruits signed since 2000. Fournette ranks fourth on LSU’s career rushing list with 3,830 yards. He added 40 touchdowns, which is tied for third. Fournette rushed for over 200 yards five times in his career, which he did three times consecutively in 2015, and also rushed for over 100 yards an impressive 19 times. Fournette is projected to be selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by multiple analysts.
2. Bryce Brown
Team: Tennessee
Class: 2009
NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles — Seventh round
247Sports Rating: .9991
Skinny: Brown was the No. 1-ranked running back and No. 2 overall player in 247Sports 2009 rankings, but had a short career with the Volunteers before transferring to play for Bill Snyder at Kansas State. Brown has had a minuscule role in his four seasons in the NFL and is currently a free agent.
3. Najee Harris
Team: Alabama
Class: 2017
NFL Draft: N/A
247Sports Rating: .9982
Skinny: Harris was the No. 2-ranked running back and No. 3 prospect in 2017 class. After deciding between Alabama and Michigan, the 5-star running back ultimately ended up in Tuscaloosa, adding another weapon in the backfield to the Crimson Tide’s arsenal.
4. Trent Richardson
Team: Alabama
Class: 2009
NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns — First round (third overall)
247Sports Rating: .9971
Skinny: Richardson, the No. 6 player and No. 2 running back in the class helped Alabama win two national championships (2009, 2011). Even playing more of a support role behind 2009 Heisman Trophy winning running back Mark Ingram, the two-time SEC and BCS national champion rushed for 283 times for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns, helping kickstart Alabama’s SEC and national dominance as the feature-back.
Who can forget his unbelievable juke against Ole Miss in 2011?
T5. Gerald Riggs Jr.
Team: Tennessee
Class: 2002
NFL Draft: Undrafted
247Sports Rating:.9970
Skinny: The No. 1 running back in the 2002 class only started an underwhelming three out of 31 career games with the Volunteers, but still teamed with Cedric Houston to rush for over 1,000 yards, becoming the first duo to do so in Tennessee history. Riggs signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dolphins and also appeared on the Chicago Bears roster before heading to play for the Rhein Fire and Toronto Argonauts.
T5. Ciatrick Fason
Team: Florida
Class: 2002
NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings — Fourth round
247Sports Rating: .9970
Skinny: Though he a short-lived career in the NFL, Fason made a name for himself as a Gator. The No. 8 player and No. 2 running back in the 2002 class (behind Riggs) played under Ron Zook, and had his best season in 2002, when he ran for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns.
7. Michael Dyer
Team: Auburn/Louisville
Class: 2010
NFL Draft: Undrafted
247Sports Rating: .9960
Skinny: As a freshman, Dyer was outstanding. The No. 1 running back in the 2010 class rushed for 1,093 yards and 5 touchdowns, helping Auburn win its first national championship since 1957 off a controversial run in the fourth quarter of the BCS title game.
Dyer followed with 1,242 yards in 2011 and was suspended indefinitely in 2012 for his involvement in a robbery. The running back transferred to Louisville to finish his college career.
T8. Isaiah Crowell
Team: Georgia
Class: 2011
NFL Draft: Undrafted
247Sports Rating: .9958
Skinny: After being named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2011, the former 5-star showed a lot of promise in Athens. Crowell’s time at UGA came to an abrupt in after being arrested on weapons charges. He transferred to Alabama State to avoid redshirting. Since then, Crowell has been a steady option at running back for the Cleveland Browns for the past three seasons.
T8. Jabari Davis
Team: Tennessee
Class: 2001
NFL Draft: N/A
247Sports Rating: .9958
Skinny: Davis started just six games as a Volunteer, but played a very versatile as a running back and fullback. Davis finished with 20 touchdowns, receiving most of his touches on the goal line.
10. Demetris Summers
Team: South Carolina
Class: 2003
NFL Draft: Undrafted
247Sports Rating: .9946
Skinny: Summers was the No. 1 RB in his class, and No. 9 prospect overall but was booted from the program by new coach Steve Spurrier for violating team rules. In 2014, Summers was arrested on a drug charge in Columbia. He was arrested again in 2015 on another drug charge.
11. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams
Team: Auburn
Class: 2001
NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — First round (fifth overall)
247Sports Rating: .9936
Skinny: On the college level, despite a broken fibula his sophomore season, Williams was a decorated and consistent rushing option, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons his junior and senior year, running alongside Ronnie Brown. The former Buccaneer looked to be a force in his first NFL season, rushing for 1,178 yards his rookie year, but unfortunately injuries got the best of him in 2008, leading to his career fizzling out after the 2011 NFL season.
12. Kregg Lumpkin
Team: Georgia
Class: 2003
NFL Draft: Undrafted
247Sports Rating: .9934
Skinny: The second ranked running back in the 2003 class (behind Summers) had a disappointing career with the Bulldogs, mostly due to his knee injury in the preseason. Lumpkin’s best season was in 2003, rushing 112 times for 523 yards and six touchdowns.
13. Derrick Henry
Team: Alabama
Class: 2013
NFL Draft: Tennessee Titans — Second round
247Sports Rating: .9928
Skinny: Listed as an athlete, Henry played running back and linebacker in high school, but ultimately sacrificed defense for the offensive side of the ball — which turned out to be a great idea. Derrick Henry accumulated 42 touchdowns on the ground and set the SEC rushing record by accumulating 2,219 yards on his march to the Heisman and national championship trophy in 2016.
14. Keith Marshall
Team: Georgia
Class: 2012
NFL Draft: Washington Redskins — Seventh round
247Sports Rating: .9918
Skinny: Marshall, listed as an All Purpose Back, was rated higher than classmate and fellow North Carolina prep standout Todd Gurley, but Gurley clearly had the better college career. Injuries took their toll on Marshall, but he still managed to get drafted.
15. Bo Scarborough
Team: Alabama
Class: 2014
NFL Draft: N/A
247Sports: .9916
Skinny: Scarborough was listed as an athlete coming out of high school, but like his former teammate Derrick Henry, he stuck to offense in Lane Kiffin’s offense. Scarborough showed the country that he had the balance of power and speed late last season but suffered a broken bone in his right leg during the 2017 national championship game against Clemson. He is expected to play a massive role for Alabama next season.
16. Jerious Norwood
Team: Mississippi State
Class: 2008
NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons — Third round
247Sports Rating: .9906
Skinny: Norwood didn’t contribute much as a freshman, but really made an impact moving forward, rushing for 3,222 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career for the Bulldogs, where he remains second all-time in rushing. The back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher had a steady role in the Atlanta Falcons offense for four seasons.
17. Sony Michel
Team: Georgia
Class: 2014
NFL Draft: N/A
247Sports Rating: .9902
Skinny: After Georgia star running back Nick Chubb suffered a leg injury during the 2015 Tennessee game, Michel took advantage of a split-back situation and showed that he could carry the load. Michel broke the 1,000 yard mark in 2015 and added 11 total touchdowns. He returns to Athens for his senior season and will split carries with Chubb in 2017.
18. Kelvin Taylor
Team: Florida
Class: 2013
NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers — Sixth round
247Sports Rating: .9896
Skinny: Through the turmoil of the Gators’ offense, there was a bright spot, Kelvin Taylor. The former son of NFL running back and former Florida Gator Fred Taylor rushed for 1,000 yards in 2015, becoming the first to do so since Mike Gillislee in 2012, and also racked up 23 total touchdowns in Gainesville.
19. Richard Samuel
Team: Georgia
Class: 2008
NFL Draft: Undrafted
247Sports Rating: .9893
Skinny: Samuel played four seasons for the Bulldogs, but didn’t make much of a contribution. Samuel only rushed for four touchdowns and 833 yards.
20. Trey Williams
Team: Texas A&M
Class: 2012
NFL Draft: Undrafted
247Sports Rating: .9892
Skinny: Williams contributed to the Aggies’ running game for three season but was never the showcase piece. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry, however, and scored 18 touchdowns. Though undrafted, his Combine performance led to a contract with the Indianapolis Colts.