As much as the NFL has turned into a passing league, college football has remained consistent throughout its time. The majority of teams rely on the quality and quantity of big boys up front not only to help protect their quarterbacks but to pave the way for their running backs. "Ground and Pound" is still common used lingo in the college game as teams use heavy run formations to wear down their opponents and take a more conservative approach to their game plan. Because of this, most teams rely on not just one workhorse running back but a tandem of them to keep legs fresh and help balance ones strengths and weaknesses with another. Based off the teams talent, depth, and how their projected to play in 2013; we've ranked the best running back units in the country.
10. Florida State Seminoles
After their top running back Chris Thompson was injured in the middle of the season, the Seminoles opened the door for competition and were forced to use a running back by committee approach. Fortunately for them, they had two players step up for them and now go into the season with duo of talented running backs. James Wilder Jr. (who is one of my personal favorites) had 635 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in what was considered limited play. He's a big back at 226 pounds who has the balance to bounce off tacklers with his power.
Wilder was also a high recruit coming out of high school due to his bloodlines and has the talent to carry the load for Florida State. He will have to, as mom use to say, "learn how to share" with Devonta Freeman. Freeman is another big guy at 210 pounds and also contributed heavily when Thompson went down with 660 yards and eight touchdowns of his own. These two in the small window of time played last season were very productive and average 5.9 yards per carry. They also have highly recruited red shirt freshman Mario Pender and true freshman Ryan Green waiting in the wings.
9. Baylor Bears
The Bears' rushing attack is led by Lache Seastrunk who has home-run ability every time he has the ball. The former Oregon transfer started slow last year but ended up rushing for at least 100 yards in five of his last six games. Totaling 1,012 yards on just 131 rushing attempts, Seastrunk averaged a whopping 7.7 yards per carry. The now junior is extremely dangerous in the open field, however, sometimes will try to do too much instead of taking the yards available to him. Nonetheless, he will be one of the first running backs taken if he declares for the draft next year based of his explosive ability he brings to the running game. Behind him is Glasco Martin, the 220 pound bruiser is a great complement back to Seastrunk and rushed for 889 yards (5.0 yards per carry) in 2012. Bears also bring in Johnny Jefferson (true freshman) who likely won't see much time behind this all-star cast but is capable of filling in when needed.
8. USC Trojans
Silas Redd needs to be given kudos for what he did with what was an average offensive-line last season and while playing injured and banged up in most of 2012. The former Penn State transfer (who rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Nittnay Lions) came up just short of the century mark before missing the last couple games (905 yards). Redd is a very talented running back however, and plays with a lot of contact helping him grind out extra yards. Although not very explosive, he takes on contact well and for only listed at 200 pounds plays bigger and more physical.
D.J. Morgan is another talented back who also missed six games and will look to bounce back now that he is fully healthy. Tre Madden pulled the opposite of Anthony Barr by moving from linebacker to running back and showed flashes of being dominant before getting hurt. Between these three, there is an abundance of talent waiting; they just need to stay healthy. If not true freshmen and high recruits, Justin Davis and Ty Issac will be ready to take over. This unit has the potential to be outstanding and will be if they can stay healthy for a full season.
7. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers don't even have to try to recruit running backs anymore, they just walk into Madison and say "tell me where to sign." Wisconsin is known for being a dominant running team year in and year out and always have one of the best rushing games in the country. Producing almost one NFL prospect every year, it would seem the Badgers would hit a speed bump and need a "transition year" from time to time but that's never the case. After losing Monte Ball they still return two of their top three rushers. Senior James White had 12 touchdowns and 806 yards and also has a 1,000 yard season on his resume back in 2010. He'll share time with Melvin Gordan who was third stringer last year but averaged an outstanding 10.0 yards per carry. For depth Wisconsin has redshirt freshman Vontae Jackson and true freshman Corey Clement waiting in line to be the next productive Badger running backs.
6. Arizona State Sun Devils
Much like the Badgers did Arizona State had a three-headed monster last season and are returning two of them. One of them is D.J. Foster who had 493 rushing yards and 533 receiving yards (14.0 yards per catch). The other is Marion Grice a highly ranked juco transfer who scored 11 touchdowns and also combined for more than a thousand yards rushgin and receiving. So with two highly recruited 1,000 yards running backs the Sun Devils will have to find ways to put playmakers on the feild at the same time and create mismatches with opposing defenses.
They also have Terrell Davis who is a red shirt freshman and the reincarnation of former Bronco running back Terrell Davis (I just made that up). Davis had suprisingly good speed for a 232 pound man and adds quality depth in what may be another three headed monster running-attack sometime soon.
5. Arizona Wildcats
We should see a great rivalry game when the Sun Devils and Wildcats meet up. Not only because of their history and in state bitterness towards each other, but because they both possess one of the best rushing games in the nation. But while Arizona State shares the load equally, Arizona will hand the rock to Ka'deem Carey time and time again. After Carey piled up 1,929 rushing yards the Wildcats experience one of their most productive rushing season ever. Scouts are calling Carey an NFL-ready running back because of his ability to read plays, find the seam, plant his foot, and explode. He does an outstanding job breaking through arm tackles and keeping his legs churning.
He is quick like most good running backs but also has that second gear to blow by defenders in the open field. After averaging 6.4 yards per carry last season, Carey will be looking to increase that number and be the focal point of the Wildcats offense. Behind him is Jared Baker who is a solid north and south runner and a capable backup. Arizona is somewhat of a "one trick pony" as they lack quality depth, however when you have the nations leading rusher on your team (who scored 23 touchdowns) that's more than enough to crack the top five on this list.
4. Oregon Ducks
Two words: De'Anthony Thomas. First question: How much time do you have? In that case i'll give you the short version. Thomas is a hybrid "do it all" kinda guy as he can rush the ball and is more than adequate and catching. He started his career as a freshman with only 55 touches but averaged a ridiculous 10.6 yards per carry with his limited opportunities. Last year, (again only with 92 rushing attempt), he still averaged 7.6 yards per carry for 701 yards. So over his first two years he's averaged 8.8 yards per carry (mind blown).
He also caught 91 balls over those first two seasons showing off his consistent hands. He is a 180 pounder burner with the combination of agility and shiftiness to make defenders look silly in the open field. His ability in the return game is the cherry on top and all of this is why when he declares for the NFL draft he will hear his name called very early. The Ducks also have Byron Marshall who was a highly touted recruit and when combined with Thomas form an explosive one-two punch. Now with the addition of four star recruit Thomas Tyner, De'Anthony may be able to be used as a full time "slot back" where his talents are most maximized.
3. Texas Long Horns
Texas' backfield is oozing with talent, unfortunately the problem has been injuries. For this rankings sake we will assume they don't have the misfortune of the injury-bug again in 2013 and will take advantage of their gifted running backs. With Malcom Brown and Jonathan Gray, the Longhorns are the only team in the nation with two of the number one high school recruited running backs for their respected years on the their roster. Brown was the number one recruit in 2011 and although has missed more than his fair share of games still has managed to rush for over a thousand yards in his limited playing time.
Gray was last years number one recruit at running back and started five of the last six games averaging 4.7 yards per carry for 701 yards. Last but not least is Joe Bergeron. He has a career 5.2 yards per carry average and has the talent to be a starter on most teams. Hopefully this is the year we can see the two best recruits play a full season together and show the country why they were so sought after.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
If I left this whole section blank the fact that it says "Alabama" above most of you wouldn't argue that they're ranked so high based on their reputation of churning out some of the best talent consistently year in and year out; specifically NFL caliber running backs. Eddie Lacy was a second rounder last year, Trent Richardson a top ten pick the year prior, Mark Ingram won the Heisman, (and remember Shaun Alexander?). This year, T.J. Yeldon will make sure that trend continues after he broke the freshman record for rushing; running for 1,108 yards (6.3 yards per carry) while being the backup. Yeldon has the talent and potential to be a first round pick down the road. Behind him head coach Nick Saban plucked four of the top 20 running back recruits including the number one overall recruit Derrick Henry. This unit is very young with now sophomore Yeldon and four true freshmen on their roster but if anybody can produce the same quality of production its Saban and the Crimson Tide.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Drum Roll Please! The Bulldogs lived up to their stereotype as one of the best rushing teams in the nation and their ability to continue to mold and produce NFL running backs. Last year the Bulldogs produced a running back tandem that rushed for 2,144 and 25 touchdowns. The best part about it? They were both true freshmen! Todd Gurley and Keith Marshal couldn't even be found on campus last spring but now are the focal point of the team. Both of them are over 215 pounds and have a physical running style but also possess the speed and quickness to be elite. One on their own would already be difficult enough to stop forcing defensive coordinators to gameplan and scheme against.
However, having two type talented players in the backfield gives opposing teams the option of not stopping them, but only hoping to contain them. These two will continue to get better at the nuances of the game now with a full season under their belts and with a good offensive line and quarterback play, they should see more running lanes and opportunites this time around. With these two, the Bulldogs not only possess the talent but also the depth to be labeled the number one rushing unit in the country.
Honorable Mentions:
Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners possess possibly the best running back - full back tandem in the nation with Damien Williams and Trey Millard. Williams will be one of the top running backs selected in next years draft as he is looks to finish out his senior season strong for Oklahoma. He finished with 946 yards last season but could have been had not defenses stacked the box and make the Sooners pass to beat them.
However, he has more than enough talent to succeed at the next level scoring 11 touchdowns last year with a long of 95 yards. Williams wont dazzle you with his speed but can lower his shoulder and lay a hit and is one of the better pass catchers in the group catching 34 passes as a junior. Millard helped pave the way for Williams now being labled as an NFL prospect because of his blocking ability while averaging 6.0 yards per carry last season. Two other seniors will contribute; Brennan Clay had six touchdowns and 555 yards last season and Roy Finch had 901 all purpose yards in 2011. The Sooners not only have talent but a plethura of ball carriers that can carry the load.
Kent State Golden Flashes
Trayion Durham and Dri Archer collectively form one of the best one-two punches in the country. What makes them so special together is how well they complement each other. Durham is a monster 248 pound bruiser who ran for 1,316 yards (4.8 yards per carry) while Archer is an explosive 175 pound speedster who can take it the distance on any play. Archer is the more dynamic of the two and is used in a variety of departments. Not only did he rush for 1,429 yards but averaged an astounding 9.0 yards per carry while doing so, but he also led the Golden Flashes in receiving with 516 yards averaging 14.4 yards per catch and had three touchdowns on special teams. The Darren Sproles clone most likely would have been one of the first running backs taken this past draft but will play one more year as the "lightning" to Durham's "thunder".