Ranking the SEC’s Starting Running Backs for 2017

The SEC has a long history of  producing great running backs. How do they stack up this season?  Contributor Andrew Miller gives us his rankings for 2017.

The Southeastern Conference has always been home to some of the nation’s top running backs. With several programs that pride themselves on effectively running the football, it should come as no surprise that elite running back prospects flock to the conference each year. 2017 is no different, as the SEC once again boasts some of D1’s best talent at the position. Here’s how I rank the SEC’s starters for the upcoming season.

14. Jordan Wilkins (SR), Ole Miss 

Last Year’s Stats (2015): 72 carries, 379 yards, 5.26 YPC, 4 TDs

Don’t scream bias at me. I’m calling it how I see it. Wilkins sat out the entire 2016 season after the NCAA ruled him academically ineligible, and he hasn’t shown enough in his career to label him as the player to fix the Rebel’s rushing woes. New OC Phil Longo’s Air Raid system doesn’t inspire much confidence in improving the run-game either. Luckily for Ole Miss, they should have one of the SEC’s best passing attacks and will still be able to move the ball effectively.

13. Rico Dowdle (SO), South Carolina

Last Year’s Stats: 133 carries, 764 yards, 5.74 YPC, 6 TDs

After missing the first four weeks of the season due to injury, Dowdle showed promise for the Gamecocks. He was somewhat up and down in terms of production, but with a year of experience under his belt and a strong offensive line, Dowdle could put together a nice season for SCAR.

12. John Kelly (JR), Tennessee

Last Year’s Stats: 98 carries, 630 yards, 6.43 YPC, 5 TDs

Kelly had just 3 carries through the first five weeks of the season, but he shined in the second half of the Vols 2016 campaign. With inexperience at quarterback, it’s important that Kelly has a strong season if Tennessee wants to stay competitive, especially with former-star Alvin Kamara having moved on to the NFL.

11. Jordan Scarlett (JR), Florida

Last Year’s Stats: 179 carries, 889 yards, 4.97 YPC, 6 TDs

Scarlett has shown promise during his time at UF, but he has lacked consistency at times. After scoring TDs in six-straight games to start the season, he failed to reach pay dirt in each of Florida’s final six games. Similarly to Kelly at UT, it’s important that Scarlett steps up this year to ease the growing pains of a potential first-year starter at QB in Felipe Franks.

10. Devwah Whaley (SO), Arkansas

Last Year’s Stats: 110 carries, 602 yards, 5.47 YPC, 3 TDs

Had this list been written just a few weeks ago, the starter for Arkansas would’ve been much higher in my rankings. After being plagued with injuries, the Hog’s 2016 starter, Rawleigh Williams, chose to retire from football. Williams sudden decision to step away from football (which was the right one), leaves Arkansas with a major hole at RB. The run game is a huge part of the Hog’s offense, so Whaley will be expected to perform. That shouldn’t be an issue though, as Brett Bielema always gets the most out of his backs.

9. Aeris Williams (JR), Mississippi State

Last Year’s Stats: 137 carries, 720 yards, 5.26 YPC, 4 TDs

Okay State fans. Don’t get mad at me. I think Aeris is great too, and I firmly believe he’ll have a great season. But the reality is that there’s too many guys who had better seasons last year that are back. Therefore, I can’t justify ranking him higher. As with many of the players on this list, Williams came on strong in the second half of the season, having huge performances against Texas A&M and Ole Miss. A powerful runner, Williams is a stereotypical Mullen RB. I expect him to hit the 1000 yard mark in 2017 and see him as a breakout candidate for the conference.

8. Trayveon Williams (SO), Texas A&M

Last Year’s Stats: 156 carries, 1057 yards, 6.78 YPC, 8 TDs

A&M hired OC Noel Mazzone to put a greater emphasis on the run game, and he did just that. Williams shined as a freshman in Mazzone’s spread offense, and he should continue to excel as he gains more experience.

7. Damarea Crockett (SO), Missouri

Last Year’s Stats: 153 carries, 1062 yards, 6.94 YPC, 10 TDs

Shadowed by a losing record and a stellar year by QB Drew Lock, Crockett quietly put together a really solid season for Mizzou. Crockett recorded the 3rd best YPC among the SEC’s starters in 2016, behind only Derrius Guice and Damien Harris. The Tigers were great on offense in 2016, and Crockett was a big part of that. There’s nothing to suggest that will change in 2017.

6. Benny Snell, Jr. (SO), Kentucky

Last Year’s Stat’s: 186 carries, 1091 yards, 5.87 YPC, 13 TDs

With Stanley “Boom” Williams somewhat surprising decision to leave early for the NFL Draft, Snell inherits the starting job. As his stats suggest, he should have no issue producing for UK. Snell producing will absolutely be vital for Kentucky to have a successful season. When the Wildcats went over 200 yards rushing last year, they were 7-1. When they failed to hit that mark, they were 0-5.

5. Kamryn Pettway (JR), Auburn

Last Year’s Stats: 209 carries, 1224 yards, 5.86 YPC, 7 TDs

Despite not recording a carry in four games, Pettway lead Auburn in rushing by over 300 yards. A power back, Pettway did most of his damage against weak defenses. For Auburn to meet what are high preseason expectations, he needs to show that he can perform against the conference’s top defenses. Nonetheless, all signs point to a strong junior campaign.

4. Bo Scarbrough (JR), Alabama

Last Year’s Stats: 125 carries, 812 yards, 6.5 YPC, 11 TDs

Damien Harris was the starter for most of 2016, and he too is back for the Tide. But Scarbrough was the guy late in the year for Alabama, and that’s why I’ve listed him as the starter here. No matter who starts, we know that Nick Saban’s squad will have one of the nation’s top rushing attacks. Scarbrough was hurt in the National Championship Game, so there are some slight injury concerns. But if he is healthy, he could find himself in the Heisman discussion.

3. Ralph Webb (SR), Vanderbilt

Last Year’s Stats: 250 carries, 1283 yards, 5.13 YPC, 13 TDs

Perhaps the most underrated back in the SEC, Webb owns Vandy’s single-season and career rushing records, and he could become their all-time TD leader this season. Webb has been one of the Commodore’s few bright spots under Derek Mason’s tenure, and he will continue to be the team’s focal-point in 2017.

2. Nick Chubb (SR), Georgia

Last Year’s Stats: 224 carries, 1130 yards, 5.04 YPC, 8 TDs

Chubb’s decision to return for his senior season was a bit of a surprise considering his prior injury issues. He currently ranks 2nd for UGA’s all-time rushing ranks behind Herschel Walker by over 1800 yards, so it’s unlikely that he’ll reach that mark. That, however, takes nothing away from what has been a stellar career for Chubb, and he should continue to star for the Bulldogs in 2017. When he is healthy, he’s arguably the conference’s best.

1. Derrius Guice (JR), LSU

Last Year’s Stats: 183 carries, 1387 yards, 7.58 YPC, 15 TDs

Guice started the year backing up Leonard Fournette, but when LF7 went down with injury, Guice filled in, and in a big way. Guice lead the conference in rushing yards and finished second in rushing TDs. New OC Matt Canada was hired to try and modernize the Tiger’s offense, and while he’ll attempt to do that, the run game will still be the focus. As of right now, Derrius Guice is the SEC’s best running back.

*Note: All stats were obtained via cfbstats.com