The SEC will once again be absolutely loaded with talented running back position in 2016. LSU’s Leonard Fournette will be in the spotlight as the top returning talent but he isn’t the only star rusher to keep an eye on in 2016. Here is a look at the top five running backs in the SEC this season.
Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Fournette averaged 6.5 yards per carry while rushing for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns despite dealing with nagging injuries and facing eight-man boxes against tough SEC opponents for most of last season. Fournette bulked up in the offseason to add some extra muscle to make him tougher between the tackles while also working hard in an effort to cut down his 40-time. The result could be an even more dangerous running back than the one we saw tearing it up early on his sophomore season when he sparked conversations about when college football players should be eligible for the NFL Draft. LSU’s offense should be better overall with an emphasis on improving a passing attack that was absolutely terrible a year ago. That should help when it comes to making opposing defenses think twice about loading the box to stop Fournette and it won’t be a surprise if he tops his numbers from last season.
Nick Chubb Jr., Georgia Bulldogs
Chubb will be working his way back from a devastating knee injury that sidelined him in 2015 but there is every reason to expect him to be at full strength by the time September rolls around. Chubb has also made an effort to bulk up with some added muscle and the word from Georgia’s practices is that he looks as good as ever.
The Bulldogs will lean on Chubb to return to his previous form but the good news is they also have a solid No. 2 back in Sony Michel. If Chubb can’t return back to his previous form or is a little rusty off the bat, Michel will be there. But there is no doubt that as long as Chubb stays healthy, he will be one of the best running backs in the SEC.
Jalen Hurd, Tennessee Volunteers
Hurd could very well be the fastest running back in the SEC and one of the fastest running backs in the entire country . Hurd is a big reason why the Vols are being talked about as a legitimate SEC championship contender. He will form a dangerous backfield tandem along with quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Hurd has the explosiveness, agility and elusiveness to put up big numbers in 2016 and it won’t be a surprise when he emerges as one of the top running backs in the SEC. He’s one of the young, budding stars on a team that is expected to take flight this year. He’ll have to play like one of the top backs in the SEC if they’re to compete for a conference title.
Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt relied heavily on Webb a year ago when he averaged 4.2 yards per carry while rushing for 1,152 yards and five touchdowns. They will once again hope that he can lead the way for them on offense as one of the better SEC running backs. Once again, Vandy will be a few bricks short of a load on offense. Their lacking talent at multiple positions, so it will mostly be about Webb and what he can do on a weekly basis to dig them out of holes.
He owns an ideal combination of power and speed and he should remain the Commodores’ most dangerous weapon on offense.
Bo Scarborough, Alabama Crimson Tide
Kentucky’s Boom Williams received consideration for the final spot on this list but we’re going to go with the hype. We gave the edge to Scarborough based on his pure talent and situation taking over for Derrick Henry as the No. 1 running back for the defending national champion Alabama. Scarborough is a lot like Henry in terms of his power running approach and he is next in line on a long list of outstanding running backs to line up in the Tide backfield over the last decade.
