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SEC Football: Top 100 SEC players to watch in 2016

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs past the Georgia bench on his way to a touchdown against the Southern University Jaguars during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Southern 48-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs past the Georgia bench on his way to a touchdown against the Southern University Jaguars during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Southern 48-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Chubb 2015 Season Statistics:

  • Games Played: 6
  • Carries: 92
  • Rushing Yards: 747
  • Yards Per Carry: 8.1
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 7
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 124.5
  • Receptions: 4
  • Receiving Yards: 32
  • Yards Per Catch: 8.0
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 1
  • Notable: Suffered a season-ending knee injury following his first carry against Tennessee.

Georgia running back Nick Chubb became a household name after stepping into the shoes of the injured Todd Gurley and rushing for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns as a true freshman. Because of that immediate success, it was no shock that Chubb raced out to more than 100 yards in each of his first five games as a sophomore – which extended his streak to 13 straight overall.

Through five games in 2015, Chubb amassed 745 rushing yards – an average of 149 rushing yards per contest – and seven touchdowns. He also averaged more than eight yards per carry with at least one run of 27 yards or more in each game – including a 68-yarder against Vanderbilt and an 83-yard scamper in which he outran the Alabama defense to the end zone.

Unfortunately, Chubb tore multiple knee ligaments on the first play from scrimmage against Tennessee and missed the rest of the season.

Without Chubb in the backfield, the Bulldogs suffered on offense. After averaging 452.8 yards of total offense with a healthy Chubb in the lineup, Georgia managed just 330.0 yards in its final eight games. With Chubb on the sidelines, Sony Michel stepped in and produced four 100-yard games and finished with 1,161 rushing yards and eight TDs, but the rest of the unit struggled.

The offense was largely to blame in the 27-3 loss to Florida, and for closer than expected victories over Missouri, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech. It also likely played a factor in the decision to fire Mark Richt despite a four-game winning streak at the end of the regular season (which is now a five-game streak with a 24-17 victory over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl).

Originally believed to be a career-threatening setback, Chubb is expected to fully recover following surgery and rehabilitation. And, if he regains full strength for 2016, Chubb could again emerge as one of the SEC’s top players, and one of the best running backs in the country.

Next: Joshua Dobbs

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