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SEC Football

SEC’s top 5 incoming RBs for 2015

Kevin Duffey

By Kevin Duffey

Published:


The SEC is getting back to being a running backs league, and the conference always signs elite talent at the position. Coming at no surprise, Alabama signed two of the top five backs for the 2015 recruiting class.

Two JUCO running backs will also make their presence known. Auburn’s Jovon Robinson and Tennessee’s Alvin Kamara should both start for their respective teams. However, for this particular piece, let’s look at the SEC’s top five incoming freshmen:

Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to ratings follow the 247Sports.com composite rankings.

1. Damien Harris, Alabama (Berea, KY)
The Skinny: Spurning his home-state Kentucky Wildcats, Damien Harris signed with Alabama. Harris has an elite frame and even better speed for 205 pounds, and he’s a tough customer to bring down, especially in a one-on-one situation with a linebacker. He also possesses elite vision that jumps out on film. How much of an impact he’ll have as a freshman depends largely on the players ahead of him on the depth chart. Kenyan Drake and Derrick Henry are the primary ball carriers, and Harris may have to wait his turn.

2. Derrius Guice, LSU (Baton Rouge, LA)
The Skinny: Derrius Guice could play multiple positions for the LSU Tigers. Although he’s slated as a running back and will play that throughout college, Guice also has elite hands out of the backfield. LSU could choose to slide Guice in the slot and create some serious mismatches. Guice is a grinder and a pounder at the position, and he’ll help bring an edge to the Tigers’ running game. His versatility is what jumps out at you immediately.

3. Jordan Scarlett, Florida (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
The Skinny: Florida may have signed the most unheralded running back in the country in Jordan Scarlett. The four-star is highly coveted, but his film screams five-star talent. Scarlett’s game reminds me of Marshawn Lynch and Trent Richardson, and he could become the Gators’ primary back early in the season. He’ll share time immediately with returners Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane. Scarlett is a home run threat every time he touches the ball.

4. Eric Swinney, Ole Miss (Tyrone, GA)
The Skinny: Ole Miss has lacked a premier running back during the Hugh Freeze era, and Swinney hopes to become that elite back coveted by the Rebels’ coaching staff. The Georgia native may not be big enough to handle the everyday pounding at 185 pounds, but he’ll grow into a nice back. The Rebels hope he’s the featured back.

5. Desherrius Flowers, Alabama (Mobile, AL)
The Skinny: The second Alabama player on the list, Desherrius Flowers, is another great back in a deep backfield. The Alabama native is already on campus, but with such a deep backfield, it’s tough to see Flowers making an impact in the next two seasons. Nonetheless, he’s a very talented back.

SEC’s top five signees by position breakdown:

Kevin Duffey

A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.

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