Auburn Football: Spring SEC Running Back Power Rankings

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Dec 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Tra Carson (21) carries the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Daryl Worley (7) during the game in the 2014 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Texas A&M Aggies beat West Virginia Mountaineers 45 – 37. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

As long as head coach Kevin Sumlin and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital are in College Station, it’s unlikely that Texas A&M will ever put up huge rushing numbers (the averaged 149.9 yards on the ground per game in 2014), but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t if they wanted to.

Tra Carson and Brandon Williams are as solid a 1-2 SEC running back combo as there is. Carson, a 6-foot, 230-pound rising senior, was terrific in the 45-37 Liberty Bowl victory over West Virginia with 133 yards on a workman-like 25 carries – nearly double his busiest game of the season. For the season, Carson had 581 yards and five touchdowns.

If Carson’s increased role in the bowl game is an indication, the Aggies may utilize the rushing game a bit more in 2015 than they have in recent seasons. If so, Carson could flirt with the 1,000-yard mark.

Brandon Williams was the team’s third leading rusher last season behind Carson and Trey Williams. Smaller than Carson, but still solidly built at 6-foot and 200 pounds, Williams is a former 5-star Oklahoma signee. He had 379 yards and three scores on 87 attempts last season and should provide a quality secondary option in the backfield.

James White ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns and 64 yards and a TD last season against Lamar and SMU, respectively. The 6-foot-, 218-pound rising sophomore will provide depth and should see an increased role in 2015.

Next: 6. Tennessee