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Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Ranking the SEC’s top rushers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Given the talent were discussing, not a whole lot of fanfare is needed. Ladies and gentlemen, the top five running backs in the SEC for 2007 …
1. Darren McFadden, Jr., Arkansas. A no-brainer. Doak Walker Award winner. Second in the Heisman Trophy voting. Leading rusher in the SEC (1,647 yards). But here is the question: Does this guy, as good as he is, belong in the same category as Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson? Let us know what you think.
2. Cory Boyd, Sr., South Carolina. Only one player in school history has recorded over 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving (Stanley Pritchett of Atlanta). With 102 yards receiving, Boyd will become the second. He’s had an up-and-down career, with some down moments off the field. But as a senior he’s finally matured enough to have a big season in Steve Spurrier’s offense.
3. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Sr., Ole Miss. Ran for 1,000 yards on a really, really, really bad offense. He is only the third player in Ole Miss history to run for over 1,000 yards in a season. He is tough runner who gets a lot of yards on his own. If the Rebels can throw it just a little bit, Green-Ellis is going to have another big year.
4. Felix Jones, Jr., Arkansas. This guy would start for any other team. Despite sharing time with McFadden, Jones rushed for 1,168 yards. Jones was also No. 4 in the SEC in kickoff returns, averaging 24.1 yards per attempt. That number will go up with the new rule that will have the ball kicked from the 30-yard line.
5. Rafael Little, Sr. Kentucky. Was a first-team All-SEC running back in 2005 when he ran for over 1,000 yards and led the league in all-purpose yardage. He is also one of the nation’s best punt returners. Little didn’t stay healthy last season and saw his production dip. If he can go the distance in 2007, Kentucky has a chance to make some noise in the SEC East.
HONORABLE MENTION
— LaMarcus Coker, Soph., Tennessee. As a rookie Coker posted two electrifying touchdown runs of 89 and 87 yards. Averaged 63.3 yards per game, which was tops among freshmen last season. Enormous talent.
— Arian Foster, Jr., Tennessee. Foster had a huge freshman season in 2005 but due to injuries, he never really got out of the gate last season. Coach Phillip Fulmer was singing Foster’s praises after spring practice and, barring injury, he is expected to have a huge year. If this guy can get 20-25 carries a game, he will have a monster year.
— Jacob Hester, Sr., LSU. When LSU absolutely, positively has to have a first down, the Tigers find a way to get the ball to Hester. He’s listed as a fullback but can play tailback and catch the ball out of the backfield. Has 14 career touchdowns (eight rushing, six receiving). Ask opponents how tough it is to bring this guy down once he gets rolling.
— Brad Lester, Jr., Auburn. The Parkview product had 104 carries for 510 yards but scored nine touchdowns last season. He’s a couple of biscuits shy of 200 pounds and needs to be about 210 in order to take the pounding in this league. Still, he can make big plays if his body will just hold up.
— Kregg Lumpkin, Sr., Georgia. Matthew Stafford is a very good quarterback, but Georgia is at its best when Lumpkin is getting the rock on a regular basis. He got 21 carries and 105 yards when the Bulldogs won at Auburn last season. Yes, he’ll be sharing time with Thomas Brown, Knowshon Moreno and maybe Caleb King. But this guy needs to get 20 carries a game if Georgia is going to make a run in the SEC East.
