It’s no secret that the SEC stockpiles great running backs. In 2014 seven different running backs recorded 1,000 yards seasons. Two of those are working on their draft stock in Tre Mason and Jeremy Hill, but returning for 2014 are several RB’s you can expect to pile up the yardage. Included in those are a few making early Heisman list. Here’s the 2014 running backs that you can bank on having good seasons.
T.J. Yeldon -Alabama Let’s be honest, Alabama has four or five guys that could carry the load for the Crimson tide at the RB position year in and year out. They recruit studs at the RB position and always reload with the big guys to plow the trail for them. 2014 will prove to be more of the same for Alabama with T.J. Yeldon looking to post his third 1000 yard rushing season in a row. At 6.0 ypc Yeldon found plenty of room to run through and around SEC defenses and the opportunities should go up this season. Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake will take some snaps and roll up some yardage of their own but not enough to keep Yeldon from reaching that 3,000 career yard milestone. With Alabama starting over at the QB position, don’t be surprised to see several games in 2014 with multiple 100 yard rushers.
Todd Gurley – Georgia at 6’1″ 232 lbs Todd Gurley looks nothing like his name sounds. Gurley broke on the scene as a freshman racking up over 1300 yards and 17 touchdowns. Unfortunately he took a step backwards statistically in 2013 due to an ankle injury that just kinda stuck around. Gurley missed three games in the middle of the season but when healthy was very good (6.0 ypc) and only fell 11 yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Georgia brings back an offense full of potential stars including Hutson Mason who is being considered as the next great Georgia QB. If he stays healthy you can expect Gurley to crank it back up in 2014.
Mike Davis – South Carolina Davis saw limited action as a Freshman backing up Marcus Lattimore, but really came into his own this past season with Lattimore gone. Davis finished 4th in the SEC in rushing with 1,183 yards and 11 touchdowns, but Davis is capable of much more. At 5’9″ 215 Davis runs well between the tackles with the ability to get low and punish a would-be tackler or on occasion make one look silly with good foot work and a resulting long TD run. Most will pick South Carolina as a favorite to finish at the top of the SEC East in 2014 but for that to happen Davis will have to carry them on his shoulders more times than not. With Connor Shaw moving on, look for “The Ole Ball Coach” to lean on his running game a bit more than usual until he feels comfortable with the QB play. Davis will shine in 2014.
Alex Collins/Jonathan Williams – Arkansas I have to throw a little love the Razorbacks way. It may be all they get. Everyone knew Brett Bielema would attempt to bring his smash mouth running game to Arkansas, but I doubt many expected such positive results in year one. Well, positive in the running game anyway. Collins and Williams were bright spots on a dark season, rushing for 1,026 and 900 yards respectfully. The down side is they only saw pay dirt four times each which isn’t that hard to explain considering the rest of the offense was just abysmal. It’s really amazing that this duo was able to have the success they did with everyone dropping seven and eight in the box on defense. If Arkansas can develop some semblance of a passing game, these guys could really make some noise in 2014.
Battles to watch in the offseason:
Cameron Artis-Payne/Corey Grant – Auburn Artis-Payne had more touches in 2013 but Grant ran for more yards with a gaudy 9.8 ypc. This will be a fun one to watch this spring and fall.
Russell Hansbrough/Marcus Murphy – Missouri Both 600+ yard rushers backing up Henry Josey, both of these guys should shine regardless of who starts.
Josh Robinson/Ashton Shumpert – MSU Josh (The Bowling Ball) Robinson would be heir apparent with the departure of LaDarius Perkins but watch out for the Sophomore to be Shumpert. He’s a punisher!
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StuShoemake
Stu Shoemake is a lover of Jesus, a husband, a father to two boys, an outdoor enthusiast and the epitome of the word fanatic when it comes to sports. Born with a tomahawk in one hand and a cowbell in the other, he is armed with a plethora of knowledge concerning Baseball and College Sports. But the Atlanta Braves and Mississippi State Bulldogs are his weapons of choice. Kneeling down to rub some dirt between his hands before the game, you won’t catch Stu chanting SEC after a nonconference win but a Braveheart or Tombstone quote are sure to be heard. “I’m your huckleberry. That’s just my game”
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