http://espn.go.com/college-football...steele-top-15-college-running-back-units-2015
1. Georgia Bulldogs
In 2012, coach Mark Richt brought in a super frosh tandem in Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, who combined for 2,144 rushing yards as true freshmen. Last year, Richt still had those two and brought in another super frosh tandem in powerful Nick Chubb and speedy Sony Michel. Gurley started only five games, and Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards (7.1 yards per carry). Marshall redshirted and Gurley is now in the NFL, but the other three are back. Fourth- and fifth-stringers Brendan Douglas and AJ Turman are legit SEC running backs, too.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Start with the MVP of the college postseason, as Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 696 yards (9.1 YPC) in three postseason games versus the defenses of Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon. Totaling 1,878 yards (6.9 YPC, 18 touchdowns) on the year, Elliott is backed by Bri'onte Dunn, Warren Ball and Mike Weber. Ohio State can also use dangerous slotbacks Curtis Samuel and Jalin Marshall, who are converted running backs.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
Samaje Perine set the NCAA single-game record with 427 yards against Kansas and finished the season with 1,713 yards (6.5 YPC). He benches 275 pounds 20 times! Alex Ross is 221 pounds and rushed for 595 yards (6.8 YPC) and they add in Joe Mixon and Rodney Anderson.
4. Oregon Ducks
Royce Freeman is 230 pounds and rushed for 1,365 yards (5.4 YPC) as a true freshman, and he looked quicker in the spring. Backup Thomas Tyner has rushed for 1,284 yards (5.6 YPC) the past two years. True freshman Taj Griffinwas at Oregon this spring, and slot Byron Marshall was a 1,000-yard running back in 2013 (392 yards in 2014).
5. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Hogs have 224-pounder Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, who both topped 1,000 yards in 2014 and almost got there in 2013 as well against SEC defenses. Kody Walker (250 pounds) was a star in the spring, and coach Bret Bielema said he has 1,000-yard potential.
6. LSU Tigers
Tigers fans were probably expecting 2,000 yards from Leonard Fournette, but he rushed for "only" 1,034 (5.5 YPC) as a true freshman. He is gifted at 230 pounds, with 4.35 speed. Backups are sophomore Darrel Williamsand true freshmen Derrius Guice and Nick Brossette.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
Derrick Henry led the Tide in rushing despite T.J. Yeldon's presence. Henry stands 241 pounds with a 440-pound bench press and 4.5 speed. Kenyan Drake reminds some of Reggie Bush and delivers speed. The Tide add in Damien Harris and have two redshirt freshmen in DeSherrius Flowers and Ronnie Clark.
8. Florida State Seminoles
Dalvin Cook had shoulder surgery and did not win the starting job as a true freshman until the postseason. (Editor's note: This was written before Cook was suspended indefinitely in July.) In three starts, he led with 1,008 yards (5.9 YPC). Mario Pender has not been able to get on the field (injuries and academics) but should finally show his stuff in 2015. Write this name down:Jacques Patrick. He is big at 232 pounds but is fast, and I think he will push for the starting job by year's end.
9. UCLA Bruins
Paul Perkins led the Pac-12 in rushing with 1,575 yards (6.6 YPC) but was only honorable-mention all-Pac-12. He is up to 208 pounds and a true pro. Nathan Starks has NFL qualities but was banged up as a true freshman. Soso Jamabo and linebacker/running back Myles Jack are also great runners.
10. Pittsburgh Panthers
James Conner is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds and athletic enough to be a solid pass-rusher at defensive end when needed. He was the ACC Player of the Year in 2014, rushing for 1,765 yards (5.9 YPC) and 26 touchdowns. Chris James is 210 pounds and rushed for 437 yards (5.0 YPC) as a true freshman. Rachid Ibrahim,Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall add depth.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
In 2012, coach Mark Richt brought in a super frosh tandem in Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, who combined for 2,144 rushing yards as true freshmen. Last year, Richt still had those two and brought in another super frosh tandem in powerful Nick Chubb and speedy Sony Michel. Gurley started only five games, and Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards (7.1 yards per carry). Marshall redshirted and Gurley is now in the NFL, but the other three are back. Fourth- and fifth-stringers Brendan Douglas and AJ Turman are legit SEC running backs, too.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Start with the MVP of the college postseason, as Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 696 yards (9.1 YPC) in three postseason games versus the defenses of Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon. Totaling 1,878 yards (6.9 YPC, 18 touchdowns) on the year, Elliott is backed by Bri'onte Dunn, Warren Ball and Mike Weber. Ohio State can also use dangerous slotbacks Curtis Samuel and Jalin Marshall, who are converted running backs.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
Samaje Perine set the NCAA single-game record with 427 yards against Kansas and finished the season with 1,713 yards (6.5 YPC). He benches 275 pounds 20 times! Alex Ross is 221 pounds and rushed for 595 yards (6.8 YPC) and they add in Joe Mixon and Rodney Anderson.
4. Oregon Ducks
Royce Freeman is 230 pounds and rushed for 1,365 yards (5.4 YPC) as a true freshman, and he looked quicker in the spring. Backup Thomas Tyner has rushed for 1,284 yards (5.6 YPC) the past two years. True freshman Taj Griffinwas at Oregon this spring, and slot Byron Marshall was a 1,000-yard running back in 2013 (392 yards in 2014).
5. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Hogs have 224-pounder Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, who both topped 1,000 yards in 2014 and almost got there in 2013 as well against SEC defenses. Kody Walker (250 pounds) was a star in the spring, and coach Bret Bielema said he has 1,000-yard potential.
6. LSU Tigers
Tigers fans were probably expecting 2,000 yards from Leonard Fournette, but he rushed for "only" 1,034 (5.5 YPC) as a true freshman. He is gifted at 230 pounds, with 4.35 speed. Backups are sophomore Darrel Williamsand true freshmen Derrius Guice and Nick Brossette.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
Derrick Henry led the Tide in rushing despite T.J. Yeldon's presence. Henry stands 241 pounds with a 440-pound bench press and 4.5 speed. Kenyan Drake reminds some of Reggie Bush and delivers speed. The Tide add in Damien Harris and have two redshirt freshmen in DeSherrius Flowers and Ronnie Clark.
8. Florida State Seminoles
Dalvin Cook had shoulder surgery and did not win the starting job as a true freshman until the postseason. (Editor's note: This was written before Cook was suspended indefinitely in July.) In three starts, he led with 1,008 yards (5.9 YPC). Mario Pender has not been able to get on the field (injuries and academics) but should finally show his stuff in 2015. Write this name down:Jacques Patrick. He is big at 232 pounds but is fast, and I think he will push for the starting job by year's end.
9. UCLA Bruins
Paul Perkins led the Pac-12 in rushing with 1,575 yards (6.6 YPC) but was only honorable-mention all-Pac-12. He is up to 208 pounds and a true pro. Nathan Starks has NFL qualities but was banged up as a true freshman. Soso Jamabo and linebacker/running back Myles Jack are also great runners.
10. Pittsburgh Panthers
James Conner is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds and athletic enough to be a solid pass-rusher at defensive end when needed. He was the ACC Player of the Year in 2014, rushing for 1,765 yards (5.9 YPC) and 26 touchdowns. Chris James is 210 pounds and rushed for 437 yards (5.0 YPC) as a true freshman. Rachid Ibrahim,Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall add depth.
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