One of these running backs could win championship, compete for He

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Photos: College running backs to watch in 2016

Even as the passing game flourishes, running back remains a marquee position in college football. Here are 18 to watch in the coming 2016 season.

Junior Leonard Fournette (7) of LSU rushed for 1,953 yards on 300 carries last season and scored 22 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Junior Christian McCaffrey of Stanford rushed for 2,019 yards on 337 carries last season and accumulated 3,864 all-purpose yards. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Junior Dalvin Cook (4) of Florida State rushed for 1,691 yards on 229 carries last season and scored 19 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Junior Nick Chubb (27) of Georgia rushed for 745 yards on 91 carries, with seven touchdowns rushing, in the Bulldogs' first five games. That was before he was injured on the first play of Game 6 and missed the rest of the season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Junior Samaje Perine of Oklahoma rushed for 1,349 yards on 226 carries last season and scored 16 rushing touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)

Junior Wayne Gallman (9) of Clemson rushed for 1,527 yards on 283 carries last season and scored 13 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Junior Royce Freeman (center) of Oregon rushed for 1,836 yards on 283 carries last season and scored 17 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Sophomore Myles Gaskin (9) of Washington rushed for 1,302 yards on 227 carries last season, as a true freshman, and scored 14 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Junior Elijah Hood (34) of North Carolina rushed for 1,463 yards on 219 carries last season and scored 17 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Senior Shock Linwood (32) of Baylor rushed for 1,329 yards on 196 carries last season and scored10 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Sophomore Saquon Barkley (26) of Penn State rushed for 1,076 yards on 182 carries last season as a freshman and scored seven touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Junior Justin Jackson (21) of Northwestern rushed for 1,418 yards on 312 carries last season and scored five touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Sophomore L.J. Scott (3) of Michigan State rushed for 699 yards on 146 last season and scored 11 touchdowns rushing. He has a chance to be the Spartans' primary runner this season. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Junior Sony Michel (1) of Georgia rushed for 1,161 yards on 219 carries last season and scored eight touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Senior Donnel Pumphrey (19) San Diego State rushed for 1,653 yards on 309 carries last season and scored 17 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)

Junior D'Onta Foreman (33) of Texas rushed for 681 yards on 95 carries last season and scored five touchdowns rushing. He should be the Longhorns' featured back this season. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Junior Johnny Jefferson (5) of Baylor rushed for 1,000 yards on 136 carries last season and scored eight touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Senior Jela Duncan (25) of Duke rushed for 460 yards on 67 carries last season and scored four touchdowns rushing. He may have to carry more of a load this season. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Junior Ito Smith (25) of Southern Miss rushed for 1,128 yards on 171 carries last season and scored 10 touchdown rushing. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

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Junior Leonard Fournette (7) of LSU rushed for 1,953 yards on 300 carries last season and scored 22 touchdowns rushing. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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