The SEC is considered the most physically intense football conference in America, the one where games are won in the trenches where the offensive and defensive do battle. As such, it is also league where running backs are as important as ever and last year you could make an easy case that the two best running backs in the country resided in the conference. One, Derrick Henry, will play on Sundays this year, while the other, Leonard Fournette will return to LSU to pursue the Heisman Trophy. Here is a look at him and the other key running backs to know in the SEC for 2016.
Leonard Fournette
LSU Tigers
If you were building a running back in a lab, it would look a lot like Fournette. He is big and fast and powerful, and for the first half of the season, he was the story in college football. He will have every opportunity to build on what was a monster sophomore season and if LSU is in the hunt for the national title he will be at the top of everyone’s Heisman shortlist too. Due to struggles at the quarterback position, he is essentially LSU’s entire offense. That could change in 2016 and if it does, he should be a shoe-in for the Heisman Trophy.
Nick Chubb
Georgia Bulldogs
Heading into last season, Chubb was as likely as Fournette or Henry to lead the SEC in rushing and contend for the Heisman Trophy. Thanks to an injury to Todd Gurley, he burst onto the scene as a freshman and showed he had what it takes in the rough and tumble SEC. Last year, he rushed for more than 700 yards through five games before an injury took him down in Week 6 versus Tennessee. Back at full strength and with a likely freshman starter at quarterback, he should once again be the focal point of the Georgia offense.
Sony Michel
Georgia Bulldogs
With Chubb on the sidelines last year, Michel became the feature back and did the most with the opportunity ripping off a 1000 yard season. His yards-per-carry might have come down as the starter, but he was still very effective for the Dawgs. History has shown us that it is possible to have two big-time backs share the rock and that is what you should expect down in Athens. Look for Michel to have similar numbers to a year ago.
Jalen Hurd
Tennessee Volunteers
Jalen Hurd is one of the biggest running backs you ever will see. He is 6’4” and 240 pounds, reminding you of a slightly slimmer Brandon Jacobs. The one thing he is built for is to dole out punishment and last year, he took it to the SEC to the tune of almost 1300 yards. That included a rare 100+ yard performance against the Florida Gators, who were one of the better defenses in the SEC. Tennessee is trying to get back to relevance in the SEC and this beast is going to lead the way. Everything is coming together for Tennessee and if they in fact become that Top 25 team everyone expects them to, he’ll be one of the main reasons why. He is really fun to watch too.
Peyton Barber
Auburn Tigers
The Tigers did not have a good season last year, but they seem to have found their next feature back in Barber. His numbers might not have looked great down the stretch, but don’t forget that the SEC is full of some of the nation’s best defenses. He had five 100+ yard games on his way to a total of just over 1000 yards and he scored 13 touchdowns. Gus Malzahn’s offense is run-first, so he will gets lots of opportunity to be the most productive on this list. What should also help is if the Tigers get some good quarterbacking. Last year was a bit of a struggle, but if they can find some find a semblance of a competent passing game, that’s going to make the job of someone like Barber that much easier.
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