Sure, reaching 1,000 rushing yards has lost a little of its luster. With a 13-game season (usually … for most SEC teams), that works out to about 77 yards per game. But in the juggernaut that is the SEC, staying upright and whole for 13 games is no small feat. And the consistency required to reach the milestone is definitely an indication of dependability and consistency. All of this is to say that reaching 1,000 yards still matters.

Across the SEC, here’s the last player for each school to reach the feat and a quick thought on how likely it is they’ll have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021. We broke those possibilities down into “very likely,” “maybe” and “not likely.”

Alabama

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Najee Harris, 2020 (1,466)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Very likely. Harris was 1 of just 3 1,000-yard SEC RBs in 2020, and while he’s not back, there’s no reason to think Alabama will struggle to find a feature back. The last time Bama didn’t have a 1,000-yard rusher was 2018, when they split work between Damien Harris (876), Najee Harris (783) and Josh Jacobs (640). Bama’s backfield is loaded again in 2021, but Brian Robinson has earned the right to be the bell cow.

Arkansas

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Rakeem Boyd, 2019 (1,133)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Maybe. Given the coaching and personnel changes at Arkansas, it’d be hard to name a sure-thing candidate like Rakeem Boyd. They’ll emphasize the run, but can they stay healthy and find out standout back? Trelon Smith was on track to approach 1,000 yards in 2020.

Auburn

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Kerryon Johnson, 2017 (1,391)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Very likely. Tank Bigsby (834 yards in 10 games) would have probably reached the mark in a normal 2020 season. Admittedly, Bryan Harsin still has to put his stamp on the program, but a healthy dose of Bigsby feels extremely likely. It’s hard to believe the Tigers, who produced a 1,000-yard rusher for 9 consecutive seasons from 2009-2017, haven’t had one in the past 3 seasons.

Florida

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Kelvin Taylor, 2015 (1,035)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Maybe. Florida has been consistently flouting the idea that a strong run game is required to be a good football team. While Dan Mullen had some big rushing stars in Starkville, we’re at kind of a “show me” spot in terms of a big-time Florida ballcarrier. From the quarterback to a deep and talented RB room, this lineup certainly looks primed to run more — and more effectively — than Mullen’s previous Gators squads.

Georgia

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: D’Andre Swift, 2019 (1,218)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Maybe. The only thing working against Georgia is a multitude of options. Zamir White (779 in 10 games) might well have reached the mark in a normal 2020. But will he get enough carries? Or will James Cook? Or will Kenny McIntosh? Maybe none of them will.

Kentucky

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Lynn Bowden, Jr., 2019 (1,468)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Very likely. Kentucky had boasted 5 straight seasons with 1,000-yard rushers until 2020, and it probably ended only because of the shortened schedule. Chris Rodriguez (785 in 9 games) is Mark Stoops’ next battering ram back and has an excellent chance to reach the mark if he stays healthy.

LSU

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 2019 (1,414)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Maybe. The issue here is purely who will emerge. Tyrion Price-Davis’ 446 rushing yards led last year’s team. That kind of production won’t get it done, but Coach O likely has a sleeper candidate or two to unveil.

Mississippi State

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Kylin Hill, 2019 (1,350)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Not likely. This is Mike Leach’s doing. His Air Raid offense has never produced a 1,000-yard rusher. State’s rushing leader had 312 yards in 2020. Unless something drastically changes, the Bulldogs won’t run enough to make this group. State didn’t approach 1,000 rushing yards as a team last year.

Missouri

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Larry Rountree III, 2018 (1,216)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Maybe. Larry Rountree was a couple carries shy last year, and Tyler Badie could well reach the mark this season. Mizzou is a maybe just because Badie has 3 years as a component part but has never been the feature back. The tools are there, but he has to prove it on the field.

Ole Miss

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: John Rhys Plumlee, 2019 (1,023)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Maybe. Plenty of candidates — maybe too many. Jerrion Ealy (745 in 9 games) seems the most likely, but both Matt Corral and Plumlee have plenty of scampering skills of their own. Neither Corral nor Plumlee will challenge 1,000 yards, but they might take carries away from Ealy. If they miss, it’s probably because of having 2 or 3 500+ yard rushers rather than a single 1,000-yard rusher.

South Carolina

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Kevin Harris, 2020 (1,138)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Very likely. Returning 1,000-yard rusher? Check. Harris was 1 of just 3 in the SEC last year. Likely committing to the run in 2021? Sure. Given the way Harris ran with a patchwork OL and not much help last season, he has an excellent chance this year. One caveat: Touted recruit MarShawn Lloyd is back after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Lloyd was expected to be the feature back in 2020, not Harris.

Tennessee

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Jalen Hurd, 2015 (1,285)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Not likely. Along with Florida, UT has the longest 1,000-yard rushing drought in the league. Unlike UF, UT’s offense has suffered for the lack of a big-time feature back. Given the exodus of transfers, UT’s most likely 1,000-yard rushers (Eric Gray, Ty Chandler) both caught the train out of town. A 1,000-yard rusher could happen, but hard to call it likely.

Texas A&M

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Isaiah Spiller, 2020 (1,036)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Very likely. Spiller was part of last year’s trio of 1,000-yard SEC rushers. There’ll be more of those in 2021, and it’s hard not to imagine him staying in the group. Especially considering the ever-dangerous Ainias Smith is now viewed as a slot receiver and won’t compete for carries.

Vanderbilt

Most recent 1,000-yard rusher: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, 2019 (1,028)

Will they have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021? Not likely. Could be a bloodbath for Vandy in 2021. Keyon Henry-Brooks was probably their best candidate, but he’ll be at Louisiana Tech this fall.