Top Ten SEC Running Backs: Where Do Artis-Payne and Grant Rank?

Nov 9, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (44) runs the ball against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Max Arnold (46) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Auburn won 55 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

If you missed it earlier in the week, we ranked the top five quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference. While none of the league’s signal callers should be considered elite at this point in their careers, several SEC running backs are.

Four players on our list have already racked up more than 1,000 yards in a season – and one has done it twice. On the other hand, we’ve got a player that has run for fewer than 400 yards – but averaged nearly eleven yards per carry – and another that has yet to take a handoff in a collegiate game. There are big bruising runners, track stars, and a few players that combine both styles into an unstoppable force.

As we look ahead to the season, and to the Auburn Tigers specifically, the loss of Tre Mason cannot be ignored. The Tigers will look to Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant in order to replace Mason’s 1,816 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.

We know the pair will rack up yardage in Gus Malzahn’s power rushing attack, but where do they rank among the top ten SEC running backs?