Tag: SEC running backs

Who are the top returning running backs in the SEC?

Ranking the top 5 returning running backs from the SEC. Did your team’s top runner make the list?

The SEC lost some quality runners following the 2020 season. The conference’s top running back, Alabama’s Najee Harris, was a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft.

In addition, Larry Rountree III out of Missouri and Eric Gray, the former Tennessee running back who transferred to Oklahoma, are both no longer in the SEC. But even with those losses, the conference is still in good shape at the position.

On Wednesday, I ranked my top 5 returning running backs from the SEC for OutKick. I’ve included the list below, but if you want to get the details on why I ranked players at certain spots, click here.

Here is how things shook out regarding my list, which surprisingly didn’t include an Alabama player. Don’t be surprised if that changes by the end of the season though.

Honorable mention: Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss; Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama

Watch: D’andre Swift’s highest-graded plays as a Bulldog

Watch Pro Football Focus’ compilation of former Georgia running back D’Andre Swift’s highest graded plays as a Georgia Bulldog.

Pro Football Focus recently released a compilation of Detroit Lion, former Georgia star running back D’Andre Swift’s five highest-graded plays as a Georgia Bulldog.

Watch them here:

In his time in Athens, the Philadelphia native ran 440 times for 2,885 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding 73 receptions for 666 yards with five touchdowns – good enough to place Swift at No. 7 on Georgia’s leading rusher list.

Georgia RB Zamir White a top 10 RB prospect for 2021 NFL Draft

Georgia football RB Zamir White is considered a top-10 ball carrier in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Pro Football Network recently released their list of the top-10 running back prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Georgia red-shirt sophomore Zamir White (Laurinburg, North Carolina) comes in at No. 8, which is 3rd in the SEC behind Alabama’s Najee Harris and Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill.

Pro Football Network wrote:

“White is a blend of size and speed but has never been healthy for a full season. The best thing for his draft stock is simply staying healthy. Don’t be surprised if White ends the season as the consensus RB1, or if the injuries were too insurmountable.”

Former Georgia star back D’Andre Swift was drafted to the Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft and with the departure of Brian Herrien too, many believe White will be the next man up in an always talented Georgia running back room.

White’s college career so far still holds more questions than answers. The No. 1 running back in the 2018 recruiting class, White was considered to be the next great Georgia running back by many. After tearing his ACL in his left knee his senior season at Scotland High School, White enrolled at Georgia in 2018. He worked his way back from his first ACL tear only to suffer another one, this time in his right knee two weeks before the Bulldogs’ first game.

Knee injuries are always scary, especially for skill position players, so we weren’t sure if we would ever see White on the field for Georgia. However, he persevered, and after a tough rehab and red-shirting in 2018, White was able to suit up in 2019 and carried the ball 78 times for 408 yards and three touchdowns.

A small glimpse for sure, but NFL draft analysts have taken notice. White has already battled his way back from two serious injuries, so I think it’s safe to say he is ready for a big season in 2020 and it would be awesome to see such a hard worker do great things for the Bulldogs.