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College Football: Top 10 running backs heading into spring

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) rushes past the Arizona State Sun Devils defense for a 45-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-18. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) rushes past the Arizona State Sun Devils defense for a 45-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-18. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) runs the ball as he is defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Jamoral Graham (9) during the second quarter of the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) runs the ball as he is defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Jamoral Graham (9) during the second quarter of the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway returns this spring looking to have a much bigger year with transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham, formerly of Baylor, possibly under center. Fellow teammate running back Kerryon Johnson ran for 895 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns last season along with Pettway.

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Pettway had 1,224 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns of his own in eight games in 2016. He was fifth in the SEC in rushing yards and 11th in the FBS in rushing yards per game (122.4). Pettway is the lone underclassmen at running back returning who was in the Top 25 in the FBS in rushing yards per game last season.

The rising junior ran for 100 rushing yards in seven of nine games for the Tigers last year. He ran the ball 30 times for a career-high 236 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against Ole Miss in a 40-29 victory last season. With a bigger opportunity this spring, he’ll have an opportunity to increase his numbers next season.

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