Ranking SEC Running Backs: Yeldon vs. Gurley
By Kyle Kensing
November 10, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mike Davis (28) dives for a touchdown as Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Otha Peters (5) and linebacker A.J. Turner (31) defend in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
11. Kelvin Taylor, Florida
Son of Fred Taylor and five-star true freshman prospect Taylor arrived on campus early, and began carving out his place in the Gator backfield. Taylor made his case for the No. 1 job Mike Gillislee vacated in Florida’s spring game.
12. Mike Davis, South Carolina
Davis stepped in as the Gamecocks’ starting tailback, following Marcus Lattimore’s devastating knee injury midway through the 2012 season. Davis played well in spring, and could emerge as the No. 1 back in 2013.
“Mike really came during spring practice, had a long run in our spring game,” South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said.
He’s competing with Brandon Wilds when South Carolina resumes practices in August.
“Whoever starts is sort of up in the air. They’ll both play,” Spurrier said.
13. Henry Josey, Missouri
November 12, 2011; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Henry Josey (20) runs away from Texas Longhorns linebacker Jordan Hicks (3) during the second half at Faurot Field. Missoui won 17-5. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports
One of the nation’s leading rushers in 2011 before he suffered a “one-in-a-million” knee injury, Josey battled back in the year off to reclaim his place as Missouri’s No. 1 back. Head coach Gary Pinkel told reporters Josey was running 40-yard dashes in the 4.3 second range this spring. While he has a long road back to rediscovering the same explosiveness he exhibited in 2011, Josey provides a vital element sorely missing for the Tigers in their inaugural SEC campaign.
14. Derrick Henry, Alabama
The all-time career rushing leader in high school history put himself in a position to gain ground on other Crimson Tide backs, enrolling early for spring practices. However, a broken leg held him out of the spring game. He should return to action by Week 1. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Henry is a running back in a defensive end’s body — don’t be surprised to see him get plenty of scoring opportunities in goal line situations.
15. Marlin Lane, Tennessee*
Lane’s production picked up in the latter half of Tennessee’s 2012 season. He didn’t have double-digit carries in a game until Oct. 20, but finished the year with at least 10 rushes in five of the Vols’ final six games en route to 658 yards.
He’s currently serving an indefinite suspension that leaves his status in question. Neal would seemingly have a leg up, as well as spring breakout performer Alden Hill.
“We hold our players at a high standard. We’ve provided him certain criteria he has to meet for reinstatement,” UT head coach Butch Jones said.
16. Kenny Hilliard, LSU
Hilliard finished with six touchdowns, second most of any Tiger ball carrier last season. A season prior, he rushed for eight scores. Not bad for a back who, at times, was the No. 4 option. The recovery process of teammate Blue, and availability of Hill could open the door for Hilliard to be the featured back in LSU’s offense. He averaged the most yards per carry of any Tiger rusher with 5.7 in 2012.
17. Brian Kimbrow, Vanderbilt
Zac Stacy’s departure provides an opportunity for a new No. 1 Commodore running back. While wide receiver Wesley Tate is a reliable and often used rushing threat — he carried 107 times last season to Kimbrow’s 66 — Kimbrow should integrate into Stacy’s featured role.
18. Kenyan Drake, Alabama
The third back in Alabama’s powerful ground game racked up six touchdowns in reserve duties — that’s almost as many as some teams’ No. 1 backs accrued. Finding a niche in a backfield that includes clear No. 1 Yeldon, Henry, former five-star recruit Dee Hart and incoming prospect Alvin Kamara could prove challenging, but the Crimson Tide rarely struggle to get quality backs carries.
19. Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn
A highly touted JUCO recruit, Artis-Payne showed off his skill set in the Tigers’ A-Day game last month with 117 yards rushing and another 47 receiving. Artis-Payne was named the game’s MVP. Malzahn favors a diversified run attack, never more evident than in Auburn’s 2010 BCS championship run when Cam Newton, Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb powered college football’s No. 5 rushing offense.
20. Brandon Williams, Texas A&M
In much the same way the aforementioned Malena provided a diverse look to the Aggie running game in 2012 alongside Manziel and Michael, Williams is an important cog in A&M’s fast-moving wheel. The Oklahoma transfer was a star of the Aggie spring game, rushing for one touchdown and receiving another. Providing a pass-catch threat out of the backfield should give Williams plenty of touches.