[h=1]Wisconsin, Georgia have nation's top RB groups[/h]
Phil Steele
ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)
Which college football programs have the best running back situations heading into 2019? The top pick returns a Heisman candidate who led the FBS is rushing last season. Here are the top 15.
[h=3]1. Wisconsin Badgers[/h]After setting the FBS freshman record with 1,977 yards in 2017, Jonathan Taylor led the FBS in rushing with 2,194 yards and won the Doak Walker Award last season. Taylor is back this year as a Heisman candidate, and Bradrick Shaw returns as the backup running back (822 yards in 2016-2017) after missing last season because of an injury. If Taylor continues on the pace that he has shown the previous two years, he will have an excellent chance to finish among the great running backs in Badgers history, as he trails Melvin Gordon, who sits at No. 3 on the Wisconsin all-time rushing list, by 744 yards.
[h=3]2. Georgia Bulldogs[/h]For the second consecutive season, the Bulldogs had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers a season ago. D'Andre Swift led with 1,049 yards and Elijah Holyfield was close behind with 1,018 yards. Though Holyfield moved on after last season, the cupboard isn't bare behind Swift, as Brian Herrien (295 yards in 2018) and James Cook (284 yards) are joined by redshirt freshman Zamir White and true freshman Kenny McIntosh. With an outstanding offensive line ahead of them, the Bulldogs will have one of the nation's best rushing attacks in 2019.
[h=3]3. Clemson Tigers[/h]Though true freshman Travis Etienne did not start a game in 2017, he still led the team in rushing with 766 yards. Last season, he emerged as one of the nation's best runners with 1,658 rushing yards (8.1 yards per carry), including 303 yards against Syracuse. Etienne will once again be in the running for All-American honors in 2019 and is joined in the backfield by Lyn-J Dixon(547 yards in 2018) and a very highly touted prospect in Chez Mellusi.
[h=3]4. Alabama Crimson Tide[/h]Alabama finds itself in the top five of the running back ratings for the third straight year despite losing a pair backs from a season ago to the NFL in Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris. This year Najee Harris, who a year ago had 783 yards, is back and will be joined by my top-rated true freshman running back, Trey Sanders. Brian Robinson, who chipped in 272 yards in 2018, is also back, so, despite the losses, this group could be just as elite in 2019.
[h=3]5. Oklahoma Sooners[/h]Despite not starting a game last season, Kennedy Brooks finished as the Sooners' leading rusher (1,056 yards). Brooks forms an outstanding one-two punch with last season's starter, Trey Sermon, who finished with 947 yards. T.J. Pledger will be challenged for the third-string spot by a pair of newcomers in juco commitment Rhamondre Stevenson and freshman Marcus Major in what will be a very talented and deep group.
[h=3]6. Boston College Eagles[/h]In 2017, AJ Dillon finished with a Boston College freshman record 1,589 yards. Despite an ankle injury last year that cost him a pair of games, Dillon still led the Eagles with 1,108 yards and earned first-team All-ACC honors. Travis Levy (215 yards in 2018) and David Bailey (253 yards in 2018) will spell the workhorse Dillon on occasion, and Javian Dayne (Ron Dayne's son) and true freshman Patrick Garwo are the future at BC.
[h=3]7. Ohio State Buckeyes[/h]Though the Buckeyes had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in 2017, the running numbers saw a dip last season to accommodate an exceptional passing quarterback. This year the unit is expected to come close to 2017's numbers with All-Big Ten running back J.K. Dobbins leading the way after a second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign (1,053 yards in 2018). Demario McCall, Master Teague and a pair of solid true freshman fill out the rest of the group for first-year head coach Ryan Day.
[h=3]8. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns[/h]It's not often that a Sun Belt team lands this high in the rankings, but Louisiana deserves to be here after an outstanding effort a season ago that saw three running backs rush for over 750 yards, led by Trey Ragas (1,181 yards). This year Ragas, Elijah Mitchell (985 yards, 13 TDs in 2018) and Raymond Calais (754 yards in 2018) all return for what is clearly a top-10 running back unit for 2019.
[h=3]9. Arizona State Sun Devils[/h]Though the Sun Devils had to replace their long-time running back duo that combined for 1,696 yards two years ago, Eno Benjamin burst onto the scene by nearly eclipsing the mark by himself with an ASU-record 1,642 yards in 2018. A.J. Carter and Isaiah Floyd will battle for the backup role but expect Benjamin to be the workhorse again for 2019 in the second year of the Sun Devils' new offensive system.
[h=3]10. Maryland Terrapins[/h]After breaking the Terps' single-season freshman rushing record a year ago with 1,034 yards, Anthony McFarland looks poised for an even bigger 2019 behind a young and underrated offensive line. Javon Leake (309 yards, 9.1 yards per carry in 2018) and Tayon Fleet-Davis (331 yards in 2018) will battle for the backup role, and Lorenzo Harrison III (1,300-plus career rush yards) also returns following an ACL injury a year ago.
[h=3]11. Cincinnati Bearcats[/h]After a 324-yard effort as a true freshman, Michael Warren II was the bell-cow running back last year, becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher for Cincinnati since 2012 as he finished with 1,329 yards. Tavion Thomas (499 rush yards in 2018) and Charles McClelland (485 rush yards in 2018) both played as true freshmen and will join Gerrid Doaks (513 rush yards in 2017), who missed last season because of an injury, in the running for the backup spot.
[h=3]12. UCF Knights[/h]Last year, Greg McCrae became UCF's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2013, finishing the season with 1,182 yards and 8.9 yards per carry. This season, he returns along with Adrian Killins Jr. (715 yards in 2018), giving the Knights a pair of All-AAC options in their backfield, which will surely take some pressure off of quarterback transfer Brandon Wimbush.
[h=3]13. North Carolina Tar Heels[/h]<article class="ad-300" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; overflow: hidden; position: relative; z-index: 1000026; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
</article>The Tar Heels have a running back unit capable of making a big splash in the ACC in 2019 as Antonio Williams (504 yards in 2018) and Michael Carter (597 yards, 7.1 yards per carry in 2018) both return. That duo is joined by Javonte Williams (224 yards as a true freshman), whom new head coach Mack Brown raved about during spring practices.
[h=3]14. West Virginia Mountaineers[/h]New head coach Neal Brown had a 1,000-yard running back in three of his four seasons at Troy, so this unit will clearly be a focal point in 2019. The top four combined for 1,939 yards a season ago for the Mountaineers, with Kennedy McKoy leading the way with 802 yards and backup Martell Pettawayrunning for 623 yards. The unit returns intact for 2019, and improvement is expected once again.
[h=3]15. Oregon Ducks[/h]Though the Ducks did part ways with their all-time leading rusher a year ago, CJ Verdell and Travis Dye combined for eight 100-yard efforts and 1,757 rushing yards last season. This year they both return to a group that also features plenty of depth, including my No. 6-rated true freshman running back, Sean Dollars. With the most experienced offensive line in the nation, the Ducks backfield should have no issue improving their numbers in 2019.
Phil Steele
ESPN PLUS ($ MATERIAL)
Which college football programs have the best running back situations heading into 2019? The top pick returns a Heisman candidate who led the FBS is rushing last season. Here are the top 15.
[h=3]2. Georgia Bulldogs[/h]For the second consecutive season, the Bulldogs had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers a season ago. D'Andre Swift led with 1,049 yards and Elijah Holyfield was close behind with 1,018 yards. Though Holyfield moved on after last season, the cupboard isn't bare behind Swift, as Brian Herrien (295 yards in 2018) and James Cook (284 yards) are joined by redshirt freshman Zamir White and true freshman Kenny McIntosh. With an outstanding offensive line ahead of them, the Bulldogs will have one of the nation's best rushing attacks in 2019.
[h=3]3. Clemson Tigers[/h]Though true freshman Travis Etienne did not start a game in 2017, he still led the team in rushing with 766 yards. Last season, he emerged as one of the nation's best runners with 1,658 rushing yards (8.1 yards per carry), including 303 yards against Syracuse. Etienne will once again be in the running for All-American honors in 2019 and is joined in the backfield by Lyn-J Dixon(547 yards in 2018) and a very highly touted prospect in Chez Mellusi.
[h=3]4. Alabama Crimson Tide[/h]Alabama finds itself in the top five of the running back ratings for the third straight year despite losing a pair backs from a season ago to the NFL in Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris. This year Najee Harris, who a year ago had 783 yards, is back and will be joined by my top-rated true freshman running back, Trey Sanders. Brian Robinson, who chipped in 272 yards in 2018, is also back, so, despite the losses, this group could be just as elite in 2019.
[h=3]5. Oklahoma Sooners[/h]Despite not starting a game last season, Kennedy Brooks finished as the Sooners' leading rusher (1,056 yards). Brooks forms an outstanding one-two punch with last season's starter, Trey Sermon, who finished with 947 yards. T.J. Pledger will be challenged for the third-string spot by a pair of newcomers in juco commitment Rhamondre Stevenson and freshman Marcus Major in what will be a very talented and deep group.
[h=3]6. Boston College Eagles[/h]In 2017, AJ Dillon finished with a Boston College freshman record 1,589 yards. Despite an ankle injury last year that cost him a pair of games, Dillon still led the Eagles with 1,108 yards and earned first-team All-ACC honors. Travis Levy (215 yards in 2018) and David Bailey (253 yards in 2018) will spell the workhorse Dillon on occasion, and Javian Dayne (Ron Dayne's son) and true freshman Patrick Garwo are the future at BC.
[h=3]7. Ohio State Buckeyes[/h]Though the Buckeyes had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in 2017, the running numbers saw a dip last season to accommodate an exceptional passing quarterback. This year the unit is expected to come close to 2017's numbers with All-Big Ten running back J.K. Dobbins leading the way after a second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign (1,053 yards in 2018). Demario McCall, Master Teague and a pair of solid true freshman fill out the rest of the group for first-year head coach Ryan Day.
[h=3]8. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns[/h]It's not often that a Sun Belt team lands this high in the rankings, but Louisiana deserves to be here after an outstanding effort a season ago that saw three running backs rush for over 750 yards, led by Trey Ragas (1,181 yards). This year Ragas, Elijah Mitchell (985 yards, 13 TDs in 2018) and Raymond Calais (754 yards in 2018) all return for what is clearly a top-10 running back unit for 2019.
[h=3]9. Arizona State Sun Devils[/h]Though the Sun Devils had to replace their long-time running back duo that combined for 1,696 yards two years ago, Eno Benjamin burst onto the scene by nearly eclipsing the mark by himself with an ASU-record 1,642 yards in 2018. A.J. Carter and Isaiah Floyd will battle for the backup role but expect Benjamin to be the workhorse again for 2019 in the second year of the Sun Devils' new offensive system.
[h=3]10. Maryland Terrapins[/h]After breaking the Terps' single-season freshman rushing record a year ago with 1,034 yards, Anthony McFarland looks poised for an even bigger 2019 behind a young and underrated offensive line. Javon Leake (309 yards, 9.1 yards per carry in 2018) and Tayon Fleet-Davis (331 yards in 2018) will battle for the backup role, and Lorenzo Harrison III (1,300-plus career rush yards) also returns following an ACL injury a year ago.
[h=3]11. Cincinnati Bearcats[/h]After a 324-yard effort as a true freshman, Michael Warren II was the bell-cow running back last year, becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher for Cincinnati since 2012 as he finished with 1,329 yards. Tavion Thomas (499 rush yards in 2018) and Charles McClelland (485 rush yards in 2018) both played as true freshmen and will join Gerrid Doaks (513 rush yards in 2017), who missed last season because of an injury, in the running for the backup spot.
[h=3]12. UCF Knights[/h]Last year, Greg McCrae became UCF's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2013, finishing the season with 1,182 yards and 8.9 yards per carry. This season, he returns along with Adrian Killins Jr. (715 yards in 2018), giving the Knights a pair of All-AAC options in their backfield, which will surely take some pressure off of quarterback transfer Brandon Wimbush.
[h=3]13. North Carolina Tar Heels[/h]<article class="ad-300" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; overflow: hidden; position: relative; z-index: 1000026; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
</article>The Tar Heels have a running back unit capable of making a big splash in the ACC in 2019 as Antonio Williams (504 yards in 2018) and Michael Carter (597 yards, 7.1 yards per carry in 2018) both return. That duo is joined by Javonte Williams (224 yards as a true freshman), whom new head coach Mack Brown raved about during spring practices.
[h=3]14. West Virginia Mountaineers[/h]New head coach Neal Brown had a 1,000-yard running back in three of his four seasons at Troy, so this unit will clearly be a focal point in 2019. The top four combined for 1,939 yards a season ago for the Mountaineers, with Kennedy McKoy leading the way with 802 yards and backup Martell Pettawayrunning for 623 yards. The unit returns intact for 2019, and improvement is expected once again.
[h=3]15. Oregon Ducks[/h]Though the Ducks did part ways with their all-time leading rusher a year ago, CJ Verdell and Travis Dye combined for eight 100-yard efforts and 1,757 rushing yards last season. This year they both return to a group that also features plenty of depth, including my No. 6-rated true freshman running back, Sean Dollars. With the most experienced offensive line in the nation, the Ducks backfield should have no issue improving their numbers in 2019.
