Position Previews: Running Backs
The Southeastern Conference, long revered as a ground and pound type league in football is ever changing. From the traditional I-backfield, to the “spread-em” out and throw it down the field game; the league is evolving quickly. But if Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Florida have taught us anything over the last decade, running the football goes a long way in your success.
Running backs come in different shapes and sizes and depending on what you are trying to accomplish, they can all help you win football games.
And while bigger is not always better, it sure helps, especially in a league that requires lots of short yardage plays, grinding out games and more.
Mississippi State has quietly risen above the rest from the size standpoint and will go into the 2014 season with the biggest backfield in the SEC West.
This bodes well for a team that will also trot a big mobile quarterback on the field as well. When defenses prepare for the Bulldogs in 2014, they will have to not only have to worry about mobile quarterbacks but, big physical running backs that can rip off four to five carries at a time.
Their size and physical nature bodes well for the Bulldogs late in ball games and later in the year.
Alabama has proven when you can constantly trot a big guy in and out of the huddle, over time it wears defenses out.
Regardless of who the Bulldogs have lined up beside or behind the quarterback this year, one things for sure – he will be big and physical.
2014 Bulldog running backs and size:
Nick Griffin – 6-0 225lbs
Josh Robinson – 5-9 210 lbs
Ashton Shumpert – 6-2 218lbs
Aeris Williams – 6-1 220lbs
Dontavian Lee – 6′-1″ 220 lbs
SEC West Breakdown of average backfield size:
Team |
Average Height
Average Weight
Mississippi State
6-1
219
LSU
6-0
215
Arkansas
6-0
214
Auburn
5-10
212
Alabama
6-0
209
Texas A&M
5-10
202
Mississippi
5-10
189
Not only are these Bulldogs big, this could be the most talented group of backs seen on campus in quiet a while.
Josh Robinson finally gets the call this year and looks to double his yardage output from a year ago. In 2013 Robinson accounted for 459-rushing yards on a 6-yard per rush average.
Nick Griffin, who many feel is finally healthy should more than double his 24-carries from a year ago and should continue his 4-yard per carry average.
Reports are Ashton Shumpert resembles THE definition of a work horse and also averaged over 4-yards per carry last year.
Finally, many feel it’s going to be hard to keep true freshman Areis Williams off the field. Upperclassmen have raved of his summer work ethic and willingness to learn the system.
Regardless of whom the Bulldogs hand the ball to in 2014, know they will be big, strong, physical and there’s just not much of a drop off from one to four.