Oklahoma’s addition of Cal switch working again Jaydn Ott dramatically shifts energy dynamics of the place within the SEC. The Sooners have been in search of critical playmakers to assist revamp an anemic offense, and Ott may rapidly show to be a game-changer.
The working again place was quietly lackluster final season within the SEC. Solely three backs cleared 1,000 yards, and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson was the one one to rank within the prime 20 nationally in yards dashing per sport. Complicating issues, 5 of the highest six rushers from final season at the moment are gone.
That mentioned, there is a formidable crop of younger expertise able to ascend to stardom within the convention. LSU’s Caden Durham, Georgia’s Nate Frazier and Florida’s Jadan Baugh are rising stars. Just a few different gamers will quickly return from harm and add some depth. Nonetheless although, are any ok to unseat Ott?
As a be aware, we’re itemizing just one working again per faculty. Texas working backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter each have critical circumstances to rank within the prime 5, however issues will get a bit bizarre if we’re digging down depth charts earlier than referring to each staff.
This is how we rank SEC working backs after Oklahoma’s addition of Ott.
1. Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma
Ott suffered by way of accidents all of final season. When he is wholesome, although, Ott is among the nation’s most explosive gamers. As a sophomore in 2023, he exploded for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns at California to guide a stunning run to a bowl sport. Ott will slot into Oklahoma’s lineup and provides them the high-caliber offensive playmaker that they have not seen since Eric Grey and Marvin Mims graduated. The Sooners want him to remain wholesome.
2. Caden Durham, LSU
Durham was a stable addition to LSU’s 2024 recruiting class, however confirmed upside of being one of many nation’s greatest gamers. He ran for at the least 80 yards in 4 video games regardless of inexplicably receiving solely 11.7 carries per contest. Durham additionally proved himself as a pass-catching weapon with 260 yards receiving. If LSU’s offensive employees can get him extra touches, Durham has All-SEC potential – and possibly extra.
Texas A&M’s season began robust earlier than careening off the rails within the last weeks. No coincidence, the Aggies have been 8-1 with Moss within the lineup and completed the yr 1-4 after he suffered a season-ending harm in opposition to South Carolina. In 9 video games, Moss rushed for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns on 6.3 yards per carry. His yards per carry has elevated each season.
4. Quintrevion Wisner, Texas
Wisner stepped into the outlet left by CJ Baxter’s season-ending harm and quietly delivered a breakout season to get Texas to the nationwide semifinals. As a sophomore, Wisner ran for 1,064 yards and 5 touchdowns and added 311 yards receiving to guide the Longhorns in all-purpose yards. Baxter may retake the beginning job when he returns from an ACL harm, however Wisner proved he has the talents to be one of many SEC’s greatest.
5. Nate Frazier, Georgia
Frazier stepped into the lineup final season when Trevor Etienne handled accidents and proved he had the products to be Georgia’s subsequent nice working again. The freshman ran for 671 yards, together with 82 and a rating in opposition to Florida. He additionally averaged 7.8 yards per carry within the SEC title sport in opposition to Texas. Georgia all the time works by committee, however Frazier would be the head of the snake.
6. Jadan Baugh, Florida
Baugh took some time to take over the beginning job. When he did, it helped change Florida’s season. Baugh rushed for 520 yards and 7 touchdowns in his last seven video games after taking up because the Gators’ characteristic again, together with 106 yards in opposition to Kentucky. He helped key upsets over Ole Miss and LSU, posting 71 all-purpose yards in opposition to the Rebels. At 6-foot-1 and 227 kilos, Baugh boasts an enormous body for his age.
Hardy put collectively a sensational freshman season at Louisiana-Monroe, exploding for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns to guide a resurgent Warhawks squad. Now, he is taking his skills to Missouri and is in line to affix a revamped offense. He will get knocked down the record a bit bit as a result of the soar from the Solar Belt West to the SEC is huge, however dashing for 60 yards and a landing in opposition to Auburn final yr is an efficient signal.
Mississippi State was a multitude final season, however Sales space was a serious vivid spot. The Las Vegas native rushed for 759 yards and 5 touchdowns, and added one other 4 scores receiving to complete second amongst cross catchers on the staff. The remainder of the roster nonetheless has loads of work to do, however Sales space provides Jeff Lebby somebody to construct round.
Dowdell was a bodily beast for Nebraska final season and broke by way of for 614 yards and 12 touchdowns. Now, he joins a Kentucky squad that likes to tote the rock. Attending to play off rising star Jamarion Wilcox will solely assist issues.
Evaluating the Alabama working again room is kind of tough because the Tide transfer again to a extra conventional offense after the departure of quarterback Jalen Milroe. Miller led Tide working backs with 668 yards and 7 touchdowns, however obtained solely 145 carries. He must up his manufacturing and effectivity subsequent to anticipated starter Ty Simpson.
Diggs is an interesting story after the LSU switch missed the 2024 season with an harm. He posted 1,475 yards and 11 touchdowns in 22 video games from 2022-23 at Notre Dame and LSU earlier than getting damage, and spent final season recovering. If he is wholesome, Diggs can finish the yr far greater on this record.
Faison was a big-time participant at Utah State, clearing 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns on the bottom below an interim coach. He is now set to take the reigns at South Carolina subsequent to dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Faison rushed for a mixed 278 yards in opposition to USC, Utah and Boise State, so he ought to be capable to maintain up.
Like Miller, Alexander was a secondary rusher behind quarterback Diego Pavia, who returns in 2025. Nonetheless, he was an thrilling younger participant who rushed for 586 yards and added 238 receiving throughout a breakout marketing campaign for the Commodores. Anticipate him to take one other step.
Tennessee will run a authentic three-headed system with Bishop, Peyton Lewis and Star Thomas in 2025, so do not overthink Bishop’s particular person rating. If we have been rating working again rooms, the Vols could be prime 5. Bishop was one other promising freshman who rushed for 65 yards in opposition to Oklahoma and seven.2 yards per carry in opposition to Alabama.
There weren’t many carries obtainable behind Jarquez Hunter over the previous two seasons, however Alston made the perfect of his with a profession 5.2 yards per carry. He is set to tackle a a lot larger position for the Tigers this fall. Moreover, he’ll be helped by the arrival of UConn switch Durell Robinson, who had 731 yards and eight touchdowns as a redshirt freshman.
Russell is an thrilling younger again with a vivid future. However in comparison with the remainder of the SEC, he simply lacks expertise. The sophomore rushed for 354 yards on 5.3 yards per carry, and broke out for 175 yards in opposition to Mississippi State.
