Arizona State Football: Is Eno Benjamin the most underrated RB in nation?

Arizona State football’s Eno Benjamin had a breakout sophomore season, but is still flying under the radar and he’s poised to have a great 2019.

Recently, USA Today released their top running back rankings for the 2019 season. The top five went:

1. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
2. Travis Etienne, Clemson
3. D’Andre Swift, Georgia
4. AJ Dillon, Boston College
5. Eno Benjamin, Arizona State

Surely, Taylor and Etienne are in a class of their own, but Benjamin at No. 5 seemed too low. Let’s look at the facts.

In 2018 Benjamin ran for more yards than every running back ahead of him except Taylor and Etienne. If you were to sort this list by rushing yards it would look like this:

1. Jonathan Taylor: 2,194
2. Travis Etienne:1,658 *Played in two extra games because of the CFP*
3. Eno Benjamin: 1,642
4. AJ Dillon: 1,108
5. D’Andre Swift: 1,049

Every running back on this list except Dillon plays for a team that is competing for a National Championship. It is safe to say because of this  Etienne (Clemson), Swift (Georgia) and Taylor (Wisconsin) have much better offensive lines than Benjamin.

Benjamin also plays for Arizona State, a team that is typically not in the spotlight (unless you watch the Pac-12 after dark). The lack of national exposure for the talented running back most likely has hurt his ranking.

Despite all of this, 2018 was a breakout season for the Arizona State running back. Let’s look at some of his accomplishments.

• First-team All-Pac-12
• Finished No. 5 in the nation in rushing yards
• Broke the school single season rushing record
• Broke the school rushing record in a game with 312 yards

https://twitter.com/TheSunDevils/status/1046268472106217474

Another thing to consider about Benjamin is his durability and ball security. In 2018 Benjamin carried the ball 300 times and fumbled just once (he didn’t lose it).

As the season progresses most running backs wear down, not Benjamin.

In his final six games Benjamin rushed for 100 yards in five of those games. His worst game in that span came against rival Arizona where he managed to rush for 80 yards and three touchdowns.

This season Benjamin will certainly be the focal point of the offense with the departure of first round wide receiver N’Keal Harry and quarterback Manny Wilkins. The best running back in the Pac-12 will have a chance to expand upon his great sophomore season.

It’s time the college football world gives Benjamin the respect he deserves because he will most likely be heading to the pros very soon.