Top 10 SEC Running Backs in 2017

Seth Raborn
Aug 26, 2017 · 4 min read
Photo courtesy of Hilary Scheinuk — The Advocate

SEC football is just days away. Before toe meets pigskin on August 28th, The Wheelhouse crew has compiled the top 10 players at each position within the SEC to help the days go by quicker.

Let’s take a gander at the top 10 running backs in the SEC heading into 2017.

1. Derrius Guice (Jr.), LSU

The electric junior took the SEC and the nation by storm when he made the most of starting running back Leonard Fournette’s absence in 2016. Last season, Guice rushed for 1,387-yards and 15 touchdowns. Guice also set the LSU record for rushing-yards in a game against Texas A&M, when he rushed for 285-yards. Expect nothing short of a spectacular season from the best running back in the country.

2. Bo Scarbrough (Jr.), Alabama

Even though Scarbrough was stuck behind starting running back Damien Harris in 2016, he still logged 812 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound beast is the prototypical Nick Saban running back. He showed his true talent in the playoffs last year when he ran for a combined 273 yards and four touchdowns against Washington, and then Clemson.

3. Kamryn Pettway (Jr.), Auburn

Pettway was one of the biggest surprises in the SEC last season. He tallied over 1,200 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, all while missing four games due to injury. He rushed for over 100-yards in seven of the nine games he played in, including a 236-yard performance against Ole Miss.

4. Nick Chubb (Sr.), Georgia

Although it is controversial to leave Chubb so far down on the list, he is still one of the most talented running backs in the nation. Chubb managed to reach over the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career last year, even though he was coming back from a nasty knee injury. The Bulldogs; senior finished the 2016 season by rushing for over 100-yards in three of his last four games.

5. Ralph Webb (Sr.), Vanderbilt

Webb is easily one of the most underappreciated backs in the SEC. Last season, he ran for 1,283-yards and 13 touchdowns. Webb hit the 100-yard mark in seven of 12 games that he played in, including a 211-yard performance against Middle Tennessee State. If he stays on track, he’ll likely become the eighth SEC running back to ever rush for 4,000 yards during his career.

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

Although he fell under the shadow of “Boom” Williams last season, as a freshman, Snell Jr. logged over 1,000-yards and 13 touchdowns. The sophomore rushed for 136-yards on 17 attempts and four touchdowns in his debut as a Wildcat. Now that he is solidified as a starter, expect Snell Jr. to have another electric season in Lexington.

7. Damien Harris (Jr.), Alabama

Splitting snaps between Harris and Scarbrough worked out very well in 2016 for the Crimson Tide. However, now that Scarbrough is likely to get the nod at starter, Harris will not get as many touches. Last season he ran for over 1,000-yards and three touchdowns. Although he may not receive as many carries as he did last season, Harris will still have a huge impact on the success of Alabama’s offense.

8. Sony Michele (Sr.), Georgia

Michele would be an all-star for the Bulldogs, if not for being stuck behind Chubb. It would also help if he could stay healthy. Michele rushed for 1,160-yards in 2015 before rushing for 840-yards and eight touchdowns as a junior last season. Look for Michele to have a strong season if he can stay healthy.

9. Trayveon Williams (So.), Texas A&M

As a freshman in 2016 Williams had 1,026 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He also averaged seven yards-a-carry and became the first true freshman to break the 1,000-yard barrier in Aggies’ history. Williams was named to the true freshman All-American team and the freshman All-SEC team last season by ESPN.

10. Damarea Crockett (So.), Missouri

Crockett was yet another freshman to break barriers in 2016. He set the all-time freshman rushing record in Missouri history with 1,026 yards. The youngster also broke the school record for most rushing-yards in a game with 225. Crockett finished the season with the sixth most rushing yards in the SEC and will be starting over veteran back Ish Witter in 2017.

Honorable Mentions:

Jordan Scarlett, Florida

John Kelly, Tennessee

Najee Harris, Alabama

Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

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