College Football: Top 15 running backs entering 2018, ranked

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Lexington Thomas #3 of the UNLV Rebels slips a tackle by linebacker Jamal Scott #42 of the San Jose State Spartans during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Some of the members of the high school running back class of 2017, as we’ve seen, were expected to be stars from day one. Some, like Boston College’s AJ Dillon, flew a bit under the radar. Dillon was a high three-star recruit who played both halfback and linebacker in high school, and while he was a great get for BC – he seriously considered offers from the likes of Michigan and Notre Dame – I don’t think anyone expected him to have the impact that he did in 2017.

The 6-foot, 240-pound bruiser handled 300 carries for the Eagles as a true freshman, and he did pretty darn well with them. His 1,589 rushing yards ranked second in the ACC and seventh in the NCAA, and he added 14 touchdowns to boot.

Only two backs had more carries than Dillon last season, and you can bet that BC will be calling on their workhorse back very, very frequently in 2018 as they try to make a third straight bowl game for the first time since 2010.

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