Ranking the Top 10 SEC running backs in 2015

Individual Position Rankings

Leonard Fournette? Nick Chubb? Derrick Henry? How do you choose between all of the conference’s talented runners?

There will be no shortage of star power at the running back position in 2015. Here’s a look at how the group ranks heading into the season.

Others considered: Brandon Wilds, South Carolina; Jaylen Walton, Ole Miss; Tra Carson, Texas A&M; Stanley “Boom” Williams, Kentucky; Ashton Shumpert, Mississippi State; Roc Thomas, Auburn.

10. Kelvin Taylor, Florida: After showing flashes of his playmaking ability in a crowded Florida backfield the last two seasons, 2015 finally should be the year for Fred Taylor’s son to step to the forefront at his alma mater. Taylor’s most memorable performance to date was a 197-yard, two-touchdown day in a dominant 38-20 win over Georgia last season. With a new offensive philosophy under coordinator Doug Nussmeier and the potential for a redshirt freshman quarterback (Will Grier) starting behind an inexperienced line, the temptation will be there to lean on Taylor and the running game.

9. Jovon Robinson, Auburn: Robinson has not locked down the Auburn starting job and has not had a single carry at the FBS level, but he’s on the list based on his upside. The Tigers have had the SEC’s top rusher in each of the last two seasons (2013: Tre Mason, 2014: Cameron Artis-Payne), so there is a good chance that Robinson could finish the season near the top of this list if he fulfills the potential he showed as the nation’s top junior-college running back last season. He will have to fight off Roc Thomas, who helped back up Artis-Payne last season and serves as Robinson’s main competition for the starting role.

8. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt: If there was one positive to take away from Vanderbilt’s disastrous offensive effort last season, it was that the Commodores found their running back of the future. As a redshirt freshman, Webb was the most reliable offensive option for the Commodores, setting a school record for rushing yards by a freshman with 912. But in order for Webb to progress into a 1,000-yard rusher in his sophomore season, he’ll need some help from the Vanderbilt passing game to keep defenses from loading the box to stop the run.

7. Russell Hansbrough, Missouri: A returning senior coming off a 1,084-yard, 10-touchdown season for the defending SEC East champions might warrant consideration for a higher ranking on the list in most years, but Hansbrough being ranked No. 7 should show just how deep the league is at running back in 2015. The Missouri offense has a trend of 1,000-yard runners since joining the SEC, with Kendial Lawrence and Henry Josey posting similar seasons in years prior. Marcus Murphy (924 yards rushing in 2014) is gone, meaning Hansbrough could see a larger role if a complementary back is not immediately identified.

6. Jalen Hurd, Tennessee: As a true freshman in 2014, Jalen Hurd was one of the more exciting backs in the league. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 235-pounds while still possessing a good helping of elusiveness and straight-line speed, Hurd ran for 899 yards and five touchdowns. All that in spite of nursing injuries for most the season. If he’s able to keep himself healthy in 2015, and the addition of junior-college running back Alvin Kamara should help with that, he could be on his way to an All-SEC season as a sophomore. Hurd also caught 35 passes out of the backfield, showing off his abilities as a true multi-purpose back.

5. Alex Collins, Arkansas: Collins has pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt as he enters his junior season at Arkansas, but do you ever wonder what this guy might be capable of with the Razorbacks backfield all to himself? That day may never come, as his running mate, Jonathan Williams, is returning for his senior season to give the Razorbacks perhaps the scariest rushing attack in all of college football. Collins upped his game in the red zone last season, increasing his touchdown total from four in 2013 to 12 in 2014. Expect more of the same production from the junior in what might be his final season in Fayetteville before the NFL comes calling.

4. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas: In a decision that surprised some, Williams decided to forgo the NFL draft and return for his senior season. With 1,190 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in ’14, Williams established himself among the league’s elite runners. Aided by an offensive line that returns four starters, the presence of senior QB Brandon Allen and backfield partner Collins, Williams is poised for a big senior season.

3. Derrick Henry, Alabama: After biding his time as option 1B to T.J. Yeldon’s 1A, Derrick Henry has earned his chance to shine as the lead back at Alabama. At 6-foot-3 and 242-pounds, Henry is a load to bring down. Henry holds a career average of 6.6 yards per carry. He ran for 990 yards and 11 touchdowns while sharing running back duties in ’14. Kenyan Drake likely will see some snaps after recovering from last year’s gruesome leg injury, but Henry still is expected to see the lion’s share of the carries. A 1,500-yard season is not out of the question here.

2. Leonard Fournette, LSU: As perhaps the most anticipated true freshman of the 2014 season, Fournette may have been a little slow out of the gate for some people’s taste. But whatever points he lost with a slow start, he more than made up for it with a strong finish. Collecting 289 yards in his final 30 carries, Fournette flashed the type of All-America talent that the Tigers are hoping to see in ’15. His season totals as a freshman (1,034 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns) weren’t Nick Chubb numbers, but they are indicative of a guy poised to push for a 1,500-yard season if given 200-plus carries in his sophomore campaign.

1. Nick Chubb, Georgia: Fournette told everyone at SEC Media Days that Nick Chubb was better than him, so who are we to disagree? Chubb tops the list of SEC running backs after bursting onto the scene as a true freshman last fall with 1,547 rushing yards, and expectations are that he will help Georgia fans forget all about Todd Gurley’s departure in his sophomore season. Chubb could have legitimate Heisman Trophy aspirations if Georgia can put together an SEC championship. Talented backs Keith Marshall and Sony Michel should help keep him fresh throughout the season.