Top 25 Running Backs
Leonard Fournette was one of the best running backs in LSU history, but he could be quickly forgotten because of Derrius Guice. Fournette's focus on the NFL draft allowed Guice to put up some gaudy numbers in 2016. Guice returns the sixth most yards among running backs from last season, but did so in fewer opportunities than his comrades. Northwestern's Justin Jackson and Penn State's Saquon Barkley are the top two returning backs from last season, but both didn't have to share a backfield. Jackson finished with 298 carries and 1,524 yards and Barkley had 272 carries for 1,496 yards. Guice finished with 183 carries and 1,387 yards. Do a little math and you find that he would have finished with 2,061 yards with Barkley's carries and 2,258 yards with Jackon's. That would put him 19th and 5th, respectively, in the record books for single season rushing yards. Guice may still be overshadowed by Barkley in preseason talks, but he is a force to be reckoned with, and the SEC better be ready to stop a potentially record-breaking weapon.
PREVIOUSLY: QUARTERBACK
1. Derrius Guice, LSU, Jr
2016 Stats: 183 rush. 1,387 yards, 15td; 9 rec. 106 yards, 1td
Spent most of 2016 as Leonard Fournette's backup. Put up these numbers including four games where he had five carries or less. The job is all his now. Watch out.
2. Saquon Barkley, Penn State, Jr
2016 Stats: 272 rush. 1,496 yards, 18td; 28 rec. 402 yards, 4td
Considered a top draft pick next year, Barkley has the Nittany Lions thinking playoff again after last year's snub.
3. Kamryn Pettway/Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
2016 Stats: Pettway: 209 rush. 1,224 yards, 7td; Johnson: 182 rush. 895 yards, 11td
Duo carried the load in an offense that struggled to get going in the passing game (112th), and now has Jarrett Stidham as their signal caller.
4. Myles Gaskin, Washington, Jr
2016 Stats: 237 rush. 1,373 yards, 10td; 19 rec. 137 yards, 1td
Third year as a starter will yield huge dividends. He should be looking to bounce back from a poor performance against Alabama in the CFP semifinal.
5. Bo Scarborough/Damien Harris/Joshua Jacobs, Alabama
2016: BS: 125 rush. 812 yards, 11td; DH: 145 rush. 1,040 yds, 2td; JJ: 86 rush. 564 yds, 4td
Add in freshman Najee Harris, and this backfield is extremely crowded. Scarborough's playoff performance stands out, but there is plenty behind him to replace his talent.
6. Royce Freeman, Oregon, Sr
2016 Stats: 168 rush. 945 yards, 9td; 23 rec. 144 yards, 1td
Everyone from Eugene wants to forget last year, and new coach Willie Taggert will feature his star to help Ducks fans move on.
7. Ronald Jones II, USC, Jr
2016 Stats: 177 rush. 1,082 yards, 12td; 11 rec. 76 yards, 1td
Sam Darnold's backfield companion enters his third year as a starter, and should be one of the best backfield's in the country.
8. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt, Sr
2016 Stats: 250 rush. 1,283 yards, 13td; 21 rec. 166 yards
Lone bright spot in Vanderbilt offense the last two years returns for his fourth year of work.
9. Nick Chubb/Sony Michel, Georgia
2016 Stats: Chubb: 224 rush. 1,130 yards, 8td; Michel: 152 rush. 840 yards, 4td
Two headed monster can be best in the conference when healthy, and 2016 was more of a healing year for both. Now they can really turn it on in 2017.
10. Justin Jackson, Northwestern, Sr
2016 Stats: 298 rush. 1,524 yards, 15td; 35 rec. 219 yards
Pat Fitzgerald finally has threats on offense with Jackson and quarterback Clayton Thorson.
11. Rodney Smith/Shannon Brooks, Minnesota
2016 Stats: Smith: 240 rush. 1,158 yards, 16td; Brooks: 138 rush. 650 yards, 5td
New coach PJ Fleck will feel lucky, and should utilize this duo like he did with Jarvion Franklin and Jamauri Bogan at Western Michigan.
12. Justice Hill, Oklahoma State, So
2016 Stats: 206 rush. 1,142 yards, 6td
Sophomore could have a spectacular year while defenses focus on stopping the Mason Rudolph-James Washington connection.
13. Mark Walton, Miami, So
2016 Stats: 209 rush. 1,117 yards, 14td; 27 rec. 240 yards, 1td
With the loss of QB Brad Kaaya, Walton will shoulder more of the workload to help ease the transition of the new signal caller.
14. Mike Weber, Ohio State, Jr
2016 Stats: 182 rush. 1,096 yards, 9td
Certainly not lacking confidence. His bet with Guice and Barkley will be something to pay attention to now that Weber will be the feature back.
15. Phillip Lindsay, Colorado, Sr
2016 Stats: 244 rush. 1,252 yards, 16td; 53 rec. 493 yards, 1td
Senior played an enormous role in Buffs turnaround and spectacular season in 2017.
16. Jarvion Franklin/Jamauri Bogan, Western Michigan
2016 Stats: Franklin: 248 rush. 1,353 yards, 12td; Bogan: 179 rush. 923 yards, 8td
Duo will need to carry the offense while the passing game gets up to speed. QB Zach Terrell and WR Corey Davis have moved on to the NFL, leaving big holes in the offense.
17. Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M, So
2016 Stats: 156 rush. 1,057 yards, 8td; 19 rec. 91 yards
Split time with Oklahoma transfer Keith Ford, and could be more of the same this year. But, Williams proved that he can be the feature back if needed.
18. Justin Crawford, West Virginia, Sr
2016 Stats: 163 rush. 1,186 yards, 4td; 14 rec. 68 yards, 1td
Leading rusher in a crowded backfield. Had two games in which he rushed 209 and 331 yards but didn't score in either. I guess if that's your biggest weakness, you'll be okay.
19. D'Angelo Brewer, Tulsa, Sr
2016 Stats: 264 rush. 1,425 yards, 7td
Brewer put up his numbers while sharing the backfield with James Flanders. Flanders is gone and not much returning experience means Brewer will be the featured back.
20. Benny Snell, Kentucky, So
2016 Stats: 186 rush. 1,091 yards, 13td
If Mark Stoops is going to breakthrough with the Wildcats, he will have to develop more than just the run game. Having Snell return will help him look elsewhere.
21. LJ Scott, Michigan State, Jr
2016 Stats: 184 rush. 994 yards, 6td; 10 rec. 147 yards, 1td
Hard to believe the Spartans and Scott both struggled so much just a year removed from making the College Football Playoff.
22. Rashaad Penny, San Diego State, Sr
2016 Stats: 135 rush. 1,005 yards, 11td; 15 rec. 224 yards, 3td
Even with record-breaker Donnel Pumphrey carrying the ball, Penny still eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing. Doubled as a returner as well.
23. Kyle Hicks, TCU, Sr
2016 Stats: 203 rush. 1,042 yards, 12td; 47 rec. 417 yards, 2td
Horned Frogs' offense will be flying on the field again with Hicks and QB Kenny Hill returning.
24. Jacque Patrick/Cam Akers, Florida State
2016 Stats: Patrick: 61 rush. 350 yards, 4td; Akers: N/A (incoming freshman)
Patrick is the returning favorite, but everyone is drooling over Akers potential. Jimbo Fisher may have to split time between both now that Dalvin Cook is gone.
25. Jalin Moore, Appalachian State, Jr
2016 Stats: 237 rush. 1,407 yards, 10td
Slow start quickly erased in 2016, and won't have to split time with Marcus Cox anymore.
