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SEC Football: Top 10 players to watch this spring

By Jerran Anderson

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) and linebacker Tim Williams (56) react after a fumble recovery during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) and linebacker Tim Williams (56) react after a fumble recovery during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) celebrates with quarterback Jacob Eason (10) after scoring a touchdown against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) celebrates with quarterback Jacob Eason (10) after scoring a touchdown against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb had a ho-hum 2016 season by his own standards. He battled an ankle injury for most of the season but still managed to play.

Chubb returns for his senior season with running back Sony Michel looking for a lot more success in 2017. Despite battling quarterback issues all-season long, Chubb still managed to rush for over 1,000 rushing yards. He ran for 1,130 rushing yards and eight touchdowns for the 8-5 Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs went through some growing pains in head coach Kirby Smart’s first season but it didn’t deter Chubb’s production too much. Chubb still ran for 1,547 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns back in 2014, but his return shows he knows there’s still work to do.

Chubb did run for a career-high 222 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the Bulldogs season opening 33-24 over the North Carolina Tar Heels. But after that, he rushed for over 100 yards in just four games. Compare that to the five straight 100-yard rushing games Chubb had before tearing his ACL in 2015 and the reason for Chubb’s return becomes a lot more obvious.

With Chubb in the backfield next season, the Bulldogs could challenge for the SEC crown. He’ll just need to stay healthy for the whole season.

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