A way too early look at the top running backs in the SEC in 2018
Some of the top running backs in the SEC have exhausted their eligibility. Some have chosen to enter the NFL Draft as underclassmen and others could follow suit.
Some highly touted youngsters have been waiting in the wings and others are arriving on the scene.
Players come and go every year, but one thing is certain: The SEC will be loaded again with top-flight running backs in 2018. Here’s one projection of who the top ones will be:
10) Anthony Grant, Tennessee
New Volunteers coach Jeremy Pruitt will look to run the ball effectively as a linchpin to his rebuilding project. Grant is the No. 25 running back prospect and is the player most likely to inherit the top runner role that John Kelly vacated by heading early to the NFL.
9) Zamir White, Georgia
The Bulldogs have to say goodbye to seniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, but they’re still loaded at running back. It figures to be a committee approach again, but as the No. 1 running back prospect in the country, White should have a prominent role on that committee.
8) Rico Dowdle, South Carolina
He was poised to be the Gamecocks’ leading rusher as a sophomore before fracturing his fibula early in the 2017 season. If he can stay healthy in 2018, he should put up the big numbers that were anticipated this season.

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7) Chris Curry, LSU
With Derrius Guice presumably heading to the NFL, the job as LSU’s top rusher is wide open. Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are returning, but the Tigers like to use multiple backs, creating an opportunity for Curry, the No. 14 running back prospect, to make a splash right away.
6) Najee Harris, Alabama
It remains to be seen what juniors Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough will do after the CFP championship game, but assuming at least one of them heads to the NFL, Najee Harris will be ready to step in as a big part of the Tide’s multi-back rotation.
5) Asa Martin, Auburn
The Tigers had the SEC’s leading rusher (and Offensive Player of the Year) this season, but Kerryon Johnson is skipping his senior year to move on to the NFL, as is Kamryn Pettway. But coach Gus Malzahn isn’t going to be without a top-flight rusher. Martin, the No. 16 running back prospect, will be competing with a few returnees for the top spot.
4) D’Andre Swift, Georgia
With White and the No. 6 running back prospect in James Cook, the Bulldogs have the top two freshman running back prospects in the SEC, but Swift figures to be the leader of this very talented pack.
3) Aeris Williams, Mississippi State
It’ll be a year of transition for the Bulldogs with Joe Moorhead taking over as head coach, but there will be familiarity as quarterback Nick Fitzgerald returns from injury and Williams rejoins him in the backfield for a productive one-two punch on the ground.

Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
2) Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
The focus will be on new coach Jimbo Fisher, but Williams is one of the top returning rushers in the league and he’ll provide a good starting point for Fisher on offense.
1) Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
He’s the only back in Wildcats history to have back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and there’s every reason to believe he will make it three in a row as a junior. Snell was the top SEC rusher during the regular season in 2017, and he’s poised for a repeat in 2018.
Najee Harris at #6 LOL. Behind a bunch of guys with less than half his talent. He was the #1 running back recruit in the nation last year, and plays for the best team in college football, yet you have him behind some mediocre Barn recruit and a bunch of stiffs from lesser programs that would never see the field in Tuscaloosa. I guess you missed the game last night, huh?
Najee is a great one but the problem with him is Nick’s preference for running back by committee. I can see him being the most talented but not having the best stats due to sharing the ball with the other talented Bama backs. So it just depends on if the judgement is based on pure talent or anticipated stats for next season. I’m a State fan but I think #3 is pretty high for Williams. I hope it turns out that way, but ?????
A guy named Derrick Henry was a committee of one just 2 years ago. Alabama needs at least one of the juniors to move along to the draft. Najee should be the feature back next season, and no more of this “6 carries to guys that average 8 ypc” crap.
Your reasoning for Najee being #1 is plausible at best. Just because he plays for the best team doesn’t mean he’s the best at that position. Based on that reasoning, he wouldn’t be the best RB if he played for any other SEC team. Same goes for players from lesser programs. You seriously think Snell wouldn’t see the field if he was on Bama? That’s silly.
Wrong, only bama had good players
Still crying?
Typical Bama idiots and their toothless mouths spewing flawed logic.
Typical trust fund baby…
Typical life loser who remains broke through his mid to late thirties so they assume anyone with a decent paying job has a trust fund. No it’s called education and persistence. Pathetic. Keep flipping those burgers BaconTime.
You work at starbucks don’t you?
Nope. Don’t confuse winners’ apparitions with that of your own, burnout.
Ah you don’t work… Sucking the ole tit…
Whaaaaaaaaack!
Aeris Williams is the best blocking back I can remember in Maroon & White. Way too early prediction: I think teams will be more fearful when Kylin Hill subs in for Aeris next year.
Aeris is d3finitely a beast in blocking schemes. Hill is gonna be a special back!
Najee is #1 by a long shot IMO. This list makes little sense. Ty Chandler will be the #1 option on day 1 for UT. Snell may be a solid #2 but others could be rearranged a lot.
LSU people don’t like reality. I’m just shocked he didn’t rate that nobody from Baton Rouge ahead of Harris as well.
Why are you bringing up LSU?
Oh, I see, the writer. The fans really have no idea who Curry is. We aren’t complaining.
No Ty Chandler?
Malik davis, Crockett, and Ty Chandler could of easily made this list.
The sds motto. “Research is optional.”
Lol so true, though sometimes it feels more like “Research discouraged”
^^^ That
Snell is the best by far. He was arguably the best this year as well. Put him behind Alabama’s line and he may rush for 2000 yds.
I like you. We actually had a pretty decent line, just no real outside threats to deter D’s from stacking the box
He really is good. Hopefully my Texans can land him next year’s draft.
SNELL YEAH!
Is Benny not declaring for the NFL?
Najee Harris is a beast. Even Damien Harris is a top RB. Surprised he wasn’t on the list unless he is declaring for the NFL.
Dude, he will be a true junior next year :)
Everyone in the comments are just campaigning for their guy.
Bama guys: Najee is the best
Kentucky guys: snell is the best
That one vol…no one cares about your opinion.
I think the list is solid, except I take Zeus off and push Grant up one and maybe list another back from somewhere. Zamir is coming off an ACL injury, with Swift, Herrien, Holyfield and incoming Cook, I don’t see a reason they rush him on the field.
Nobody cares what you think either buttwad
Can’t wait to see Zeus in action, but yes I agree with you about his ACL injury. He may should sit out at least 1st half of the season. Then when some of our other guys are beat up heading into the gauntlet, may want to start putting him in the games along with James Cook.
Thunder and Lightning Part 2.
I hope DH returns
Enjoy seeing his success as a KY kid
So when will John Crist come out with a best QB list with Hurts at #1?? LMAO.
I don’t know but I can assure you he won’t have a best team list with Missouri #1…
Outstanding analysis there, boss. Of course, we do have the best QB in the SEC now so there’s that.
Really? You would never know on a 6 loss team….
You must’ve missed it when we shattered the SEC passing TD record after only being here for 6 years.
You must have missed where Missouri is garbage. Missed a bowl two years in a row then gets beat by a horrible Texas team…… Like I said, you would never know on a 6 loss team…
Interesting…so you think any old garbage team can shatter SEC records. You must think very little of the SEC. Or more likely youre just just a typical snot nosed spoiled Bama fan who can’t see past his nose. Pretty sure everyone on this site knows what you are.
Whiny little b I t c h
So what that he broke the passing record. He had too for you to sin a game…..Your defense couldn’t stop a FCS team as we seen last season…… It sure didn’t take long for you to get defensive and start crying. A true Missouri fan.
I know Mizzou fans are excited to see crocket back on the field, with Rountree as back up. Witter just want anything special for us. As for the best RB in the SEC, Najee Harris gets my vote.
*Witter just wasn’t
Food for thought, 1,000+ yards last season and 9th all time in rushing yards.