My Top 5: Running Backs

By: Tre Bailey (@trebailey14)

College Football

My Top 5: Running Backs

Back at it again today hitting you with my top running backs going into the 2016 college football season.

Honorable Mention

Ronald Jones, Sophmore USC

Royce Freeman, Junior Oregon

Donnel Pumphrey, Senior San Diego State

Elijah Hood, Sophmore North Carolina

Jalen Hurd, Junior Tennessee

Coming in at number 5

Nick Chubb, Junior Georgia

2015 Stats: 92 Carries, 747 yards, 8.1 yards per carry, 7td's

Reason: Nick Chubb is an amazingly talented running back who exploded onto the scene his freshman year. While he suffered a season ending injury last year, and his return still in question; his pure talent and potential place him at number 5 on my list. Look out for Chubb when he makes his return to the scene.  

Number 4

Samaje Perine

2015 Stats: 226 carries, 1349 yards, 6.0 yards per carry, 16td’s

Reason: Perine saw a slight decrease in stats compared to his freshman season due to Baker Mayfield and Joe Mixon taking some of the load off of his shoulders. Regardless Perine is a man among boys in the Big 12. His instincts, speed, and strength set him apart even if he splits carries with fellow back Joe Mixon. Perine is an absolute workhorse, and look for him to be the main man in the backfield for the Sooners. Not to mention he broke the single game rushing record last season.

Number 3

Dalvin Cook, Junior Florida State

2015 Stats: 229 carries, 1691 yards, 7.4 yards per carry, 19td’s

Reason: Cook is an absolute stud for the Seminoles. After an impressive 2015 season as the main back for FSU we saw what pure instinct can provide for a running back. Cook only had 4 games in which he rushed for under 100 yards. He has all of the tangibles needed to be a top back in the NCAA, and as long as he stays healthy he will remain atop of the list for running backs.

Number 2

Leonard Fournette

2015 Stats: 300 carries, 1953 yards, 6.5 yards per carry, 22td’s

Reason: There isn’t much to say about Fournette that we already don’t know. This kid is an absolute monster in the backfield for the tigers, and was only 47 yards shy of the 2k mark. He is hands down one of the most physically gifted athletes out there, and will definitely be on the top of the list for many NFL teams by the end of this season. While he proved that he’s the most explosive back he is still number 2 on my list simply because the person at number one is arguably the most diverse back College Football has seen in quite some time. I have no doubt in my mind that Fournette can break that 2,000-yard mark in what could possibly be his last season at LSU.  

Number 1

Christian McCaffery, Junior Stanford

2015 Stats: 337 carries, 2019 yards, 6.0 yards per carry 8td’s

Reason: When it comes to pure athletes, McCaffery is the best of the best. Being the only back to break that 2000-yard marker last season and only managing to see the end zone only 8 times on the ground is beyond me. Although he added an impressive 645 yards receiving along with 5 touchdowns out of the backfield is un heard of from the running back position. McCaffery is not only a work horse but is a threat every single time he touches the ball. It is hard not to appreciate the type of player he is, and his stats back him up. 3,800 all-purpose yards is absolutely absurd. If I had only one word to describe him, it would be Electrifying; making him the top back in the NCAA in my opinion.