Auburn Football: Spring SEC Running Back Power Rankings

Nicholas Ian Allen

Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Roc Thomas (9) carries the ball during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

Looking ahead to the 2015 Auburn football season, we take a look at how Jovon Robinson, Roc Thomas and the Tigers rushing attack stacks up in our spring practice SEC running back power rankings.

We may be six months away from the start of the 2015 college football season, but with spring practices underway around the nation, football is certainly in the air.

On Tuesday March 10, Auburn and Missouri will be the sixth and seventh Southeastern Conference teams to begin spring practice, following Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, LSU and Kentucky, with the rest of the league to follow in the coming weeks.

All 14 teams have reason to be optimistic heading into next season, especially when it comes to the running back position. Only four programs must replace their leading rusher from last season, and there are several teams that believe they’ve got a Heisman Trophy candidate in the backfield.

With that much experience and production returning, as well as a lot of inexperienced quarterbacks taking over, 2015 could be the Year of the Running Back in the SEC.

The Auburn football team has one of the least experienced crops of runners in the league, and faces the unfortunate task of replacing the SEC’s top rusher from the 2014 season. However, Cameron Artis-Payne‘s 1,608-yard performance in his only season as the primary ball carrier, as well as head coach Gus Malzahn’s history of coaching at least one 1,000-yard rusher in every season he’s been a collegiate play-caller, should help to ease the concerns of Tigers fans.

But with 85.2% of their rushing yards and 90.6% of their rushing touchdowns headed to the NFL from last season’s roster, where does Auburn stack up compared to the rest of the teams in the Southeastern Conference? Let’s take a look at our spring practice SEC running back power rankings.

Next: 14. Ole Miss

Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Jaylen Walton (6) carries the ball down field in front of LSU Tigers defensive end Danielle Hunter (94) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss had a very good year in 2014 despite the lack of a consistent rushing attack. The Rebels averaged only 155.5 yards per game last season, which ranked tenth in the SEC and 70th nationally, but won nine games with a stingy defense and solid passing game.

However, with the team needing to replace three-year starting quarterback Bo Wallace, it would be nice for Ole Miss to be able to rely on a strong ground game to ease in a new signal-caller. Unfortunately for head coach Hugh Freeze, the Rebels have the fewest quality options at running back in the league.

Last season’s leading rusher – Jaylen Walton – returns. As a junior, Walton accounted for 586 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 106 carries (one of which was a 91-yard scoring run). Walton is talented, but at 5-foot-8 and 161 pounds, he’s not an every-down SEC running back that can give you 20 to 25 carries per game. In fact, the most he carried the football in a game last season was 14 attempts against Mississippi State and the most he has had in his career was a 19-carry performance against LSU in 2013.

Freeze needs 6-foot-1, 209-pound rising sophomore Jordan Wilkins (52 carries, 361 yards, 1 TD in 2014) to take a bigger role, especially since depth was depleted over the off-season due to two transfers.

Next: 13. Vanderbilt

Nov 1, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Ralph Webb (26) runs for a first down during the first half against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbily running back Ralph Webb showed a lot of promise in 2014, and he would certainly be one of the top ten players at the position in the SEC. But as a whole, the Commodores were dreadful on offense and in the running game.

Webb ran for 907 yards and four touchdowns on 212 carries last season as a redshirt freshman, which accounted for 69.2 % of the team’s SEC-worst and 119th nationally ranked 109.3 rushing yards per game last season.

A compact runner listed at 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, Webb proved very durable over the course of the season, but he also took a beating as the team’s lone offensive threat. He’s not flashy and doesn’t have outstanding speed, but the rising sophomore will be a solid performer for the Commodores in 2015 as long as he can stay healthy.

Backup Dallas Rivers returns next season as well. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Georgia native had 218 yards and two touchdowns on 61 carries as a freshman last season.

If Vandy can put together some sort of passing attack, Webb and Rivers will have room to operate and could put up some pretty good numbers in 2015. If last year’s merry-go-round quarterback situation carries over, teams will stack the line and limit the pair’s effectiveness.

Next: 12. Mississippi State

Nov 22, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Ashton Shumpert (32) advances the ball during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

If this were a “rushing attack” power rankings list, Mississippi State would surely be higher because of the dynamic quarterback Dak Prescott provides as a runner. However, in terms of SEC running back power rankings, especially following the departure of “bowling ball” Josh Robinson, the Bulldogs com in at No. 11.

Thanks to Prescott and Robinson, MSU averaged 233.1 rushing yards in 2014, which was the third best average in the SEC and 23rd nationally. Robinson accounted for 1,203 yards, averaged 6.3 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns as a junior before jumping to the NFL Draft.

That leaves Brandon Holloway as the team’s leading returning rusher among running backs with 294 yards and a touchdown, followed closely by Ashton Shumpert‘s 274 yards and two scores.

Shumpert is the favorite to emerge as the team’s primary ball carrier next season because he is built solidly at 6-foot-2 and 218 compared to Holloway’s 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame, though Holloway is certainly the home run threat of the pair. Redshirt freshman Aeris Williams is also a talented runner and will compete for carries.

Next: 11. Kentucky

Nov 29, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Papa John

Kentucky was a much improved offensive football team in 2014, particularly in the first half of the season, which was a big reason the Wildcats improved from 2-10 in 2013 to 5-7. However, the Cats still struggled to run the football consistently and averaged just 153.3 yards per game last year, which ranked 11th in the SEC and 79th in the nation.

Stanley “Boom” Williams led the Wildcats last season with 486 yards and five touchdown runs. The true freshman had three 100-yard games despite only once receiving more than 12 carries in a game. “Boom” showed the explosive playmaking ability that earned him the nickname with runs of 43, 53, 56 and 58 yards. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, Williams certainly isn’t huge, but he’s big enough to carry the load if needed.

Second leading rusher and Nebraska transfer Braylon Heard left early for the NFL, but Jojo Kemp (who had 131 yards and three touchdowns in the 45-38 win over South Carolina last year) and 6-foot-1, 230-pound rising sophomore Mikel Horton also return to give Kentucky solid depth at the position.

Expect the Wildcats to improve on their rushing performance in 2015 as they take aim at ending the SEC’s longest bowl drought.

Next: 10. Missouri

Jan 1, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Russell Hansbrough (32) runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first quarter of the 2015 Citrus Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most underrated players in the SEC last season was Missouri running back Russell Hansbrough, who racked up 1,084 rushing yards and ten touchdowns on 205 carries for the back-to-back SEC East champions. Hansbrough ran for more than 100 yards four times last season, including a 199-yard, two-touchdown effort against Texas A&M and 114 yards in the Citrus Bowl victory over Minnesota. He also scored all three touchdowns for the Tigers in the 21-20 victory over South Carolina.

Mizzou never gets the respect they deserve, and perhaps this list is further proof, but the biggest reason the Tigers are ranked in double-digits here is the lack of experience behind Hansbrough.

Marcus Murphy, who had 924 rushing yards last season, has graduated. That leaves Ish Witter (27 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD) as the primary backup. Other than Hansbrough and Witter, Tyler Hunt is the only other running back on the roster that carried the football for Mizzou last season, and he had two attempts for nine yards in the season opener against South Dakota State.

Junior college transfer Chase Abbington should provide depth, as will Morgan Steward who is expected to return from injury.

Next: 9. Florida

Nov 22, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA;Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs past Eastern Kentucky Colonels linebacker Max Nussbaum (97) for a touchdown during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As you know, the Florida Gators weren’t good on offense last season, and that’s one of the biggest reasons Will Muschamp is now a member of the Auburn football coaching staff and no longer the head coach in Gainesville. However, the Gators did prove they could competently run the football – most memorably when Matt Jones had 192 yards and two touchdowns and Kelvin Taylor had 197 yards and another two scores in a dominating 38-20 upset win over Georgia.

Jones won’t be back in 2015, but Taylor should slide into the top spot on the running back depth chart and could emerge as one of the SEC’s best. After two seasons splitting carries and rushing for more than 500 yards, Taylor has a chance to put up big numbers for new head coach Jim McElwain.

Of course, after Taylor there is quite a drop off in experience and production. Adam Lane had just eight carries in the regular season, but exploded for 109 yards on 16 attempts in the Birmingham Bowl victory over East Carolina. If he’s not a one-hit wonder, the 5-foot-7, 222-pound Lane could become a very valuable backup.

Brandon Powell will have an opportunity as well as a sophomore, and true freshman Jordan Scarlett could challenge for playing time as well.

Next: 8. South Carolina

Nov 22, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Brandon Wilds (22) rushes past South Alabama Jaguars cornerback Devon Earl (7) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran running back Mike Davis is off to the NFL, but South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier welcomes back a talented group of ball carriers with plenty of experience and production under their belts.

Brandon Wilds, a 6-foot-2, 222-pound rising senior, had 570 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2014 on 106 carries as Davis’ primary backup. Wilds saw extended playing time in a handful of games as Davis nursed injuries and ran for 93 yards in the 38-35 upset win over Georgia and had 143 yards and two touchdowns (including a 70-yarder) in the 45-42 overtime loss to Tennessee.

Shon Carson is also a capable running back, and could challenge Wilds for the top spot on the depth chart. The 5-foot-8, 201-pound rising senior had just 141 yards and two touchdowns last season, but had 256 yards on 61 carries in 2013. Carson has very good speed and also served as the top kick returner for the Gamecocks last season. David Williams had 110 yards against Furman as a freshman last season and 256 yards overall and should factor in to the running back competition as well.

With Spurrier starting a brand new quarterback in 2015, expect the running back trio to carry the football early and often as Connor Mitch or Perry Orth gets their legs under them behind center.

Next: 7. Texas A&M

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

Oct 4, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Florida Gators during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

It’s tempting to rank Tennessee higher on this list given Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara are former five-star players that match up as well or better with the top two options at LSU or Auburn, among others, but the fact of the matter is that the Vols finished 13th in the SEC and 92nd in the country in rushing yards per game last season with 146.4 per contest.

Of course, that number even factors in the 469 yards that quarterback Josh Dobbs – the team’s second leading rusher in 2014 – contributed across the last six games of the season.

Hurd was solid as a true freshman. The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Hendersonville, Tennessee native ran for 899 yards and five touchdowns on 190 carries, and had four 100-yard games (against Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky and Iowa) as well as 97 yards against Oklahoma.

Kamara, who began his college career at Alabama, spent a year in junior college before transferring to Tennessee. Kamara, a 6-foot, 200-pound Norcross, Georgia native, is faster than Hurd and the two should provide the Vols with a nice thunder-and-lightning combo. They’ll have the benefit of running behind an improving offensive line that returns four starters from last year’s squad.

Senior Justus Pickett (22 carries, 64 yards) and incoming freshman John Kelly are likely to compete for the third-string spot.

Next: 5. LSU

Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Well, Leonard Fournette didn’t win the Heisman Trophy as a true freshman as he had hoped, but he could certainly contend for the award as a sophomore. Fournette emerged as the primary ball carrier for LSU midway through the 2014 season and finished with 1,034 yards and ten touchdowns on 187 carries – a solid 5.5 yards per carry.

Over the last eight games of the season, Fournette averaged 92.7 yards per game, broke the century mark five times and topped 140 yards three times. A powerful runner at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Fournette also displayed breakaway speed with a 46-yard run in the season finale against Texas A&M and an 89-yard touchdown in the Music City Bowl against Notre Dame.

If we were ranking running backs individually, Fournette would be higher on the list. But with LSU replacing Terrance McGee and Kenny Hilliard this off-season, the Tigers have some concerns when it comes to depth at the position. Darrell Williams ran for 302 yards and three scores last season as a freshman, and is expected to be the primary backup. A few signees – Darrius Guice, Nick Brossette and David Ducre – will compete for carries.

Next: 4. Auburn

Sep 6, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Roc Thomas (9) gets past San Jose State Spartans cornerback Dasheon Frierson (5) during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Spartans 59-13. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

At the risk of sounding like a homer, yes, Auburn has a better group of running backs than LSU. Yes, even if they must replace Cameron Artis-Payne – the SEC’s leading rusher from last season – and lightning-fast backup Corey Grant. Yes, even if that means the Tigers only return 490 of their 3,321 rushing yards (14.8%) from last season and must replace 29 of the 32 touchdowns (90.6%) they scored on the ground.

Sure, Leonard Fournette is a Heisman Trophy candidate and one of the best running backs in the nation – but Auburn has Jovon Robinson, Roc Thomas, Peyton Barber and incoming freshman Kerryon Johnson.

Robinson is the nation’s top rated junior college player from the most recent recruiting class after rushing for a record 2,387 yards and 23 touchdowns as a freshman at Georgia Military College in 2013. He battled through injuries in 2014, but still managed to run for more than 900 yards. An early enrollee, Robinson joined the Auburn football team not only in time for spring practice, but for Outback Bowl preparations.

Robinson could be the nation’s breakout performer in 2015, but he’s not the only five-star talent in the backfield. Roc Thomas is the team’s second leading returning rusher with 214 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries as a true freshman, and will be the lightning to Robinson’s thunder – if he doesn’t step up and beat out the 230-pound JUCO transfer for the top spot on the depth chart.

Rising sophomore Peyton Barber will provide a solid option in reserve, and Kerryon Johnson is an electric playmaker that should contribute immediately.

With Gus Malzahn calling the shots and such a talented group of runners at his disposal, don’t be at all surprised if Auburn produces yet another 1,000-yard rusher and finishes at or near the top of the SEC in rushing yards.

Next: 3. Georgia

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs past Auburn Tigers defensive back Johnathan Ford (23) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not easy to overlook the departure of Todd Gurley, but when you’ve got Nick Chubb to turn to, it’s not too difficult.

Gurley was the Heisman front-runner the first half of last season before a signature scandal cost him four games. He returned against Auburn and didn’t miss a beat with 138 yards, but tore his ACL in the process.

Meanwhile, Chubb became a workhorse while Gurley was sidelined and ranked up a staggering 1,547 yards, 14 touchdowns and a 7.4 yards per carry average as a true freshman – which is more rushing yards in a single-season than Gurley ever had for the Bulldogs. Chubb ran for more than 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in each of his last eight games, and had 200 yards twice, including 266 yards against Louisville in the Belk Bowl.

But Georgia’s wealth at the running back position doesn’t stop with Chubb. Sony Michel was actually a more highly recruited running back in the 2014 recruiting class. Michel ran for 410 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Georgia also has Brendan Douglas (55 carries, 230 yards, 2TDs) for depth, not to mention senior Keith Marshall (12 carries, 24 yards in three games) who was more highly recruited than Gurley and ran for 759 yards and eight TDs as a true freshman in 2012.

Next: 2. Alabama

Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (27) carries the ball past Auburn Tigers defensive back Joe Turner (35) and Derrick Moncrief (24) in the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia has a stable of running backs, but Alabama has a more talented backfield. Derrick Henry is a 6-foot-3, 241-pound monster that led the Crimson Tide with 990 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014, including three games with over 100 yards, two with 90-plus, and a streak of five straight games with a touchdown to end the season.

Henry doesn’t catch the ball out of the backfield too often, but when he does he’s extremely dangerous. He had five catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns last season (26.6 yards per catch) after catching just one 61-yard touchdown pass as a freshman in 2013.

With T.J. Yeldon off to the NFL, expect Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin to unleash Henry on opponents in 2015. With enough carries, he’ll be a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Kenyan Drake should be ready to go following a severe leg injury last season that cost him the last nine games. Drake had 112 rushing yards and four touchdowns last year and caught five passes for 159 yards (31.8 per catch) and two scores. Freshman Bo Scarbrough is the most likely third-string running back, and he’s another five-star talent with huge ability. Damien Harries may see some playing time as well.

Next: 1. Arkansas

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) rushes against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

As great as this year’s crop of SEC running backs is, there’s no question which program has the best backfield.

Arkansas is the only school in the Southeastern Conference that welcomes back a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in rising senior Jonathan Williams (211 carries, 1,190 yards, 12 touchdowns) and junior Alex Collins (204 carries, 1,100 yards and 12 TDs). The duo is a big reason that so many people are high on the Hogs heading into the 2015 season.

Though Williams and Collins are often referred to as “1” and “1A,” Williams has been the starter for head coach Bret Bielema the past two seasons, and at 6-foot and 225 pounds is an every down back. He surpassed 100 yards five times last year, including 105 yards in the Texas Bowl victory over the Texas Longhorns. Collins hit the century mark three times, including 212 yards against Texas Tech in the third game of the season.

Because they will continue to share carries, it’s unlikely that Williams or Collins will challenge the 2,000-yard mark or enter the Heisman race in 2015. However, if one should go down during the season, the other is certainly capable – especially in the ground-and-pound offense the Razorbacks employ.

Redshirt freshman Juan Day will likely be the team’s third-stringer next season,though he’ll compete with Denzell Evans (7 carries, 36 yards). Fullback Kody Walker (31 carries, 149 yards, 1 TD) is a solid option as a ball carrier when called upon.

Next: Spring SEC Quarterback Power Rankings

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Nicholas Ian Allen