Which SEC teams are the best at recruiting running backs?

Fans do a lot of bragging this time of the year, especially in the recruiting-dominant SEC. But which SEC schools have recruited the best running backs in the last decade, as judged by the number of four- and five-star recruits?

4. Auburn (11 four- or five-star signees: Ben Tate, Mario Fannin, Enrique Davis, Onterrio McCaleb, Michael Dyer, Tre Mason, Jovon Robinson, Rudy Ford, Roc Thomas, Kerryon Johnson, Javarius Davis)

Tate and Mason had outstanding careers at Auburn and have gone on to success in the NFL. Robinson, Thomas and Johnson are set to be back for the Tigers in 2016.

Noteworthy totals in Auburn

Tate: 3,321 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry, 24 total touchdowns

McCaleb: 2,586 rushing yards on 6.4 yards per carry, 27 total TDs

Mason: 2,979 rushing yards on 5.8 yards per carry, 20 total TDs

3. Florida (12 four- or five-star signees: Mon Williams, Chevon Walker, Chris Rainey, Bo Williams, Jeff Demps, Mike Gillislee, Mack Brown, Mike Blakely, Kelvin Taylor, Jordan Scarlett, Jordan Cronkrite, D’Anfernee McGriff)

Urban Meyer and Will Muschamp brought in top running back recruits on a consistent basis over the last decade, and first-year coach Jim McElwain signed three such players in his first recruiting class.

Taylor parlayed a 1,000-yard, 13-TD season in 2015 into an early entry into the NFL Draft while Scarlett and Cronkrite combined for more than 300 yards and four scores in relief.

Noteworthy totals in Gainesville

Rainey: 2,464 rushing yards on 6.2 yards per carry, 795 receiving yards, six receiving TDs, two punt return TDs

Demps: 2,470 rushing yards on 6.7 yards per carry, 25 total TDs

Taylor: 2,108 rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry, 23 total TDs

2. Georgia (14 four- or five-star signees: Knowshon Moreno, Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas, Dontavius Jackson, Washaun Ealey, Ken Malcome, Isaiah Crowell, Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, A.J. Turman, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Alexander Ogletree)

The past few seasons, the Bulldogs have been able to get quality seasons out of their high-profile running back recruits. Three of those players saw action in 2015.

Nick Chubb was among the nation’s leading rushers (747 yards, 7 TDs) when he went down with a knee injury against Tennessee. Michel picked up the slack, rushing for 1,161 yards and eight TDs. Marshall also produced a strong finish to his career with 350 yards and three scores.

Both Michel and Chubb return for the Bulldogs next season.

Noteworthy totals in Athens

Moreno: 2,736 rushing yards, 30 rushing TDs, 53 receptions in just two seasons

Gurley: 3,285 rushing yards on 6.4 yards per carry, 65 receptions

Chubb: 2,295 rushing yards on 7.4 yards per carry, 24 total TDs

1. Alabama (15 four- or five-star signees: Mark Ingram, Chris Jackson, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy, Jalston Fowler, Brent Calloway, Dee Hart, T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, Derrick Henry, Atlee Tenpenny, Tyren Jones, Alvin Kamara, Damien Harris, Desherrius Flowers)

There have been major success stories for Alabama at this position, like Heisman Trophy winners Ingram and Henry, big misses like Calloway and plenty of outstanding performers (Richardson, Lacy and Yeldon) in between.

No one recruits more four- and five-star talent than Alabama, so it’s hard for some of these guys to get on the field. Henry made the most of his chances in 2015, shattering records right and left with 2,219 yards and 28 TDs. He leaves as the school’s all-time leading rusher, edging Shaun Alexander by 26 yards.

Noteworthy totals in Tuscaloosa

Ingram: 3,931 yards of total offense, 46 total TDs

Richardson: 3,860 yards of total offense, 43 total TDs

Henry: 3,591 rushing yards on 6.0 yards per carry, 45 total TDs

Randy Capps

Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.