The Southeastern Conference is loaded with returning quarterbacks heading into 2018 but every true fan of the league understands that championship offenses in the league go thru the running game. There’s a reason the elite programs in the conference stockpile running backs while often struggle to find elite signal callers to run their offense.

With that in mind, Athlon Sports recently released their list of top 50 running backs in the nation for 2018 and eight SEC players made the list. In addition, four SEC running backs just missed the cut but did garner at least a mention. Here are the backs that just missed the cut: Devwah Whaley – Arkansas, Jordan Scarlett – Florida, Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Vanderbilt, Kam Martin – Auburn.

Here are the players that actually made the cut for Athlon, listed with their overall rank in the top 50:

#8 – Damien Harris, Alabama

#12 – Benny Snell, Kentucky

#13 – D’Andre Swift, Georgia

#15 – Najee Harris, Alabama

#17 – Aeris Williams, Mississippi State

#18 – Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M

#23 – Damarea Crockett, Missouri

#47 – Ty Chandler, Tennessee