Big 12 Preview: Ranking Big 12 Running Backs

Dec 1, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Lache Seastrunk (25) leads the SaturdayBlitz.com ranking of Big 12 running backs. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In our Big 12 quarterback rankings earlier this week, uncertainty clouded the conference’s assessment. There is high turnover behind center, with Collin Klein, Landry Jones, Nick Florence, Geno Smith and Seth Doege all departing.

The conference has no such problem at running back. The Big 12 rivals any conference both in depth and overall quality at the position.

1. Lache Seastrunk, Baylor Bears

Five-star 2011 prospect and former Oregon Ducks commit Lache Seastrunk has more than made himself at Baylor. He was used sparingly for the first half of his debut campaign. But when Art Briles freed Seastrunk, he showed just why he was so celebrated out of Temple (Texas) High School.

Seastrunk demolished Kansas State’s previously impenetrable defense for 185 yards on a ridiculous 9.7 per carry. The K-State game was the first in four straight 100-yard games to close out the campaign. That momentum could carry Seastrunk into an even more impressive 2013, and possible Heisman candidacy.

2. James Sims, Kansas Jayhawks

In an otherwise bleak Kansas offense, James Sims was a shining beacon. The Jayhawk junior broke the 1000-yard mark a season ago — a commendable feat for any rusher playing alongside a quarterback with just seven touchdown passes all year.

Sims gets some relief from opposing defenses through similarly gifted Tony Pierson. The duo shoulders the burden of carrying the KU offense once again. It’s nothing new for Sims, who has seen measurable growth in his workload each of the past three seasons: 168, to 182 to 218 carries. As a result, he enters his senior season with 3000 careers yards well within reach.

3. Damien Williams, Oklahoma Sooners

JUCO transfer Damien Williams exhibited flashes of brilliance on his way to 946 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012. While Williams was not Adrian Peterson, he could be DeMarco Murray. OU breaks in a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2009, so Williams should see plenty of opportunities while Blake Bell adjusts to full-time duties.

Williams will also provide the new quarterback a steady option in the passing game. The back is an outstanding route runner, and can create separation in open field situations. Williams was good for more than 300 yards as a receiver last season.

4. Glasco Martin, Baylor Bears

Perhaps the only player in the Big 12 capable of slowing down Lache Seastrunk’s production is teammate Glasco Martin. The reason, quite simply, is that Martin can be just as effective as his cohort. Look no further than the Holiday Bowl, a breakthrough performance for Seastrunk, yet Martin scored three rushing touchdowns.

It’s an enviable dilemma for Art Briles to have, as the one-two punch gives the Bears’ 44.5 point per game offense its fuel.

5. John Hubert, Kansas State Wildcats

An unsung star of the Wildcats’ 2012 Big 12 Conference championship was John Hubert, a 5 yard per carry back who finished 2012 a hair shy of 1000 yards. Hubert was good for 15 touchdowns on the ground, a total that should rise with running quarterback Collin Klein gone.

6. Johnathan Gray, Texas Longhorns

Like the aforementioned Lache Seastrunk, Johnathan Gray is a former five-star recruit with big expectations on his ability. Gray performed admirably in his true freshman season, reaching 701 yards on 149 carries. His workload was somewhat limited. Only once did then-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin call Gray’s number 20 times.

But a key difference between Gray and Seastrunk heading into 2013 is that Gray’s production actually declined at season’s end. After the first two 100-yard games of his career midway through, he dipped to 47 yards on 15 carries against TCU, 29 yards on 12 carries vs. K-State and 18 yards on seven carries in the Alamo Bowl.

Is the Gray who averaged 5.3-to-7 yards per carry in the initial half of Big 12 Conference play the version Longhorn fans will see in 2013, or is it the version that struggled? He’s young, and he’s talented. A big return early in Texas’ season will go a long way for mapping his sophomore season.

7. Jeremy Smith, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Nov 17, 2012; Stillwater OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Jeremy Smith (31) has the potential to be one of the best Big 12 running backs in 2013. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-USA TODAY Sports
The second chair in Oklahoma State’s surprisingly productive backfield each of the last two seasons, Jeremy Smith gets his opportunity to shine in the spotlight now that Joseph Randle is gone.

Smith has been outstanding as the Cowboys’ second option each of the last three seasons, rushing for a combined 24 touchdowns. In 2011, he averaged more than seven yards per carry as Oklahoma State’s change-of-pace option. His workload dwindled somewhat last year though. He only carried for more than seven yards twice all season, and averaged fewer than six rushing attempts all year. How he adjusts to a greater burden of the offense, as well as a new coordinator, is the difference for a potential superstar season.

8. Joe Bergeron, Texas Longhorns

If Johnathan Gray is Texas’ lightning, Joe Bergeron brings the thunder. The burly, 240-pound back stormed his way into the end zone 16 times in 2012. But Bergeron was no one-trick, goal line pony. He’s a capable ball carrier, evident in an impressive 6.7 yard per attempt yield during the 2011 season.

Bergeron can be the LenDale White to Gray’s Reggie Bush.

9. Aaron Green, TCU Horned Frogs

Nebraska Cornhuskers transfer Aaron Green becomes eligible at TCU this season, giving the Horned Frogs immediate backfield pop. The San Antonio native was used sparingly in Nebraska’s offense during the 2011 season, supplementing Rex Burkhead and Ameer Abdullah. But Green should emerger to the front of the line in another crowded backfield, with Waymon James and B.J. Catalon behind him.

Green was the nation’s No.8 overall running back in the 2011 signing class. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, he’s a more prototypical feature back than the others in TCU’s backfield.

10. Tony Pierson, Kansas Jayhawks
Nov 17, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks halfback Tony Pierson (3) is among the many standout Big 12 running backs in 2013. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Backing up impressive Jayhawk running back James Sims is equally impressive Tony Pierson. In each of his first two seasons, Pierson averaged better than 5.5 yards per carry. This past season, he was good for 6.5 yards on 117 attempts.

Pierson is also an excellent receiving back. His 21 catches in 2012 were second most among all Jayhawks, and he was just one of two KU receivers with multiple touchdowns.

11. Waymon James, TCU Horned Frogs

Returning Waymon James was to be TCU’s leading ball carrier before going down in Week 2. He’s a powerhouse rushing, stocky and strong. He rolled off 513 and 875 yards in his first two seasons, off of averages of 5.9 and 7.2 yards per carry. He was posting, on average, a first down each time he touched the ball in his all-too-brief 2012. Green’s eligibility might seemingly create a dilemma in the Frog backfield, but James operated effectively alongside Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker in his previous two, full campaigns.

12. Kenny Williams, Texas Tech Red Raiders

New Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury was adept at integrating an effective running game into the high-tempo, high-pass spread offense he oversaw as coordinator at Houston and Texas A&M. The 2011 UH Cougars featured two rushers of 700-plus yards. Texas A&M featured Christine Michael and Ben Malena last season. The ground game feeds off the pass, and vice versa in Kingsbury’s system.

To that end, leading rusher Kenny Williams is looking at a strong year. Williams broke for over 800 yards fulfilling a similar role in Neal Brown’s offense and scored five touchdowns. He’s a powerful back, whose style through tackles complements the finesse of the spread.

13. James White, Iowa State Cyclones

James White was an effective ball carrier in his relatively limited attempts (99 carries all of 2012), accruing more than five yards per carry en route to a team best 505 yards. White is a small, elusive rusher at 5-foot-8 and about 190 pounds. White’s elusiveness feeds off of the bruising power style of Jeff Woody.

14. B.J. Catalon, TCU Horned Frogs

The abrupt departure of Ed Wesley and Waymon James’ injury left primary ball carrier duties on freshman B.J. Catalon during the Frogs’ Big 12 debut. He accrued a team-high 582 yards, but remarkable, did not score a rushing touchdown. Catalon will operate more effectively as a third down and change-of-pace back, a role for which his proven receiving ability makes him a natural fit. Catalon caught 21 passes in 2012.