We do it all the time. We compare players of different eras. However, no position sees more of it than the running back position. That’s because each running back has a distinct style that can successfully get the job done, and we see that style over and over again until it becomes engrained in our memories. Before this season, running backs were supposedly a dying art form. If that was the case, it’s fitting that the conference that’s showcased the all-time best running backs have brought it back to life this season.

We decided to take a look at five particular SEC running backs that remind us of other great ones in the past.

LEONARD FOURNETTE | HERSCHEL WALKER

Obviously, this is high praise for LSU RB Leonard Fournette. However, this isn’t based on the fact that LSU’s sophomore is on pace to break any of Herschel Walker’s records, it’s more about why he’s in position to do so. They say the greatest players are ones that transcend their generations. In other words, they’re ahead of their times. Fournette seems to be exactly that in a generation of freakish athletes and no one, at least at the college level, seems ready for him. The same could be said for Herschel Walker at Georgia. Both players have every tool in the tool belt: size, power, speed, agility and vision. When it was appropriate, both players either initiated contact or turned on the jets to elude tacklers.

I thought showing Walker’s highlights of his single-game school record 283 rushing yards against Vanderbilt in 1980 accurately depicts those two abilities. Some have compared Fournette to Bo Jackson, but I think Fournette relies more on the combination while not having the world class speed of Jackson.

Here’s a look at Fournette’s greatest highlight-filled day to this point, which came in his 228-yard effort against Auburn earlier this season. Fournette showed his power, speed, agility and vision in each of his three rushing touchdowns.

DERRICK HENRY | SHAUN ALEXANDER

Alabama RB Derrick Henry (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) is a little taller and bigger than what Alabama had Shaun Alexander listed as (6-foot-1, 220 pounds), but their running styles were very similar. Both had those long, methodical strides while being patient in waiting for their blocks. Similar to Alexander, Henry tends to absorb damage more frequently than he dishes it out, and Henry also does it extremely well.

One contrast between the two players is Alexander’s underrated pass-catching ability. Alexander had a combined 51 catches for 708 receiving yards and 8 TD catches in his final two seasons with Alabama. Henry has been used very sparingly out of the backfield.

Here’s a look at some of Shaun Alexander’s career highlights. The thing that stands out about these two is the glide that each of them has, and how it never looks like they’re going their fastest.

Here’s a look at Derrick Henry’s career day against Texas A&M, when he ran for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

NICK CHUBB | EMMITT SMITH

Both of these players are defined by consistency. Georgia RB Nick Chubb, listed as one inch taller (5-foot-10) and 10 pounds heavier (220) than Florida legend Emmitt Smith, rushed for 100 yards in every game he’s started for the Bulldogs with the exception of the Oct. 10 game against Tennessee when he suffered a season-ending injury. Still, that was a span of 13 straight 100-yard rushing games. There may not be a more consistent running back to ever live than Emmitt Smith, who recorded a remarkable 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons as a pro with the Cowboys.

Smith was known as having arguably the best vision of any back ever, and Chubb possesses that also as the two spot a hole and burst through it on an elite level. Both players have enough of everything with shiftiness and breakaway ability but are also characterized by absorbing hits with tremendous balance and anticipation.

Smith showcased all of those attributes in these highlights included in a documentary done by GatorSports.com.

Here’s a look at some of Chubb’s highlights from this season before his unfortunate injury.

JALEN HURD | JACOB HESTER

Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd is built like a monster, listed at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. That’s notably bigger than former LSU RB/FB Jacob Hester at 6-foot, 224 pounds, but anybody that watched Hester knew that not many running backs played as physical as him. Hurd and Hester feed off delivering punishment to defenders, and their teams fed off that as well. Both backs have an upright style of running, seemingly angry at the turf as they rumble for yardage, and they certainly excel in short-yardage situations.

However, one big similarity is seen in their versatility. Hurd and Hester both have tremendous hands and made huge plays as pass catchers. Just a sophomore, Hurd has 45 catches for 343 receiving yards and 4 TD catches. Hester had 62 catches for 459 receiving yards and 4 TDs with the Tigers.

Here’s a look at some of Hester’s career highlights. I tried to find a better video with more highlights that didn’t include the Saturday Night Live cowbell skit with Christopher Walken, but hey, it could be worse.

Hurd’s pass-catching abilities are evident right away in these highlights as the first three plays put those on display.

KELVIN TAYLOR | FRED TAYLOR

Obviously, this one has almost all the similarities you can ask for. They sport the same number (21), use similar running styles (one cut and go) and, of course, they share the same blood. Florida RB Kelvin Taylor, son of former Gators legend Fred Taylor, hasn’t put it all together quite yet, only averaging 3.8 yards per carry this season. However, he’s coming off one of the best performances of his career with his 25 carries, 121 yards and 2 touchdowns against Georgia last Saturday.

Fred has one thing on his son, which is speed. Fred ran a 4.28 in high school, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association, while Kelvin was at 4.48 at the same stage. Still, Kelvin has shown breakaway ability and even better elusiveness, possessing a nasty jump-cut. As you watch these two separate highlights of Fred and Kelvin, notice the third play of Kelvin’s video starting at the 0:17 mark against Georgia, and compare that to Fred’s run against Florida State. Both have tremendously quick feet, which helps them navigate in heavy traffic. Sometimes breaking a big run is about several tiny cuts and not one or two big ones. Here’s a look at Fred’s play.

I chose to show Kelvin’s highlights from last season because I really wanted to point out that play against Georgia. In this year’s game against the Bulldogs, he showed that his footwork is even better, putting the stamp on the 27-3 win with this nasty cut on a 16-yard touchdown run.