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1 thing to know about top 10 RBs who have committed to SEC schools
By Les East
Published:
Georgia’s top two running backs — Nick Chubb and Sony Michel — are both seniors.
But don’t expected the SEC champion Bulldogs to have problems at that position next season and beyond. In addition to the young talent on hand, Georgia has commitments from two of the top five running back prospects in the country, led by top-ranked Zamir White.
It’s the ninth time in the past 10 years that at least one SEC school has gotten a 5-star running back. In five of those years, multiple SEC schools signed a 5-star running back.
The only time in the past 10 years that no SEC school got a 5-star running back was 2016 when there was just one. That prospect — Miles Sanders from Pittsburgh — signed with Penn State. But the SEC was in the thick of the hunt for top running-back prospects that year as nine 4-star running backs chose SEC schools — Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss (2), Auburn, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Here are the top 10 running back recruits who have committed to SEC schools heading into the start of the early signing period Wednesday:
1. (No. 1 RB overall) Zamir White, Laurinburg, N.C.
Committed to: Georgia.
Skinny: He rushed for more than 5,000 yards and 85 touchdowns in his career before suffering a torn ACL in a playoff game last month.
2. (No. 5 RB overall) James Cook, Miami
Committed to: Georgia.
Skinny: Younger brother of former Florida State star and Minnesota Vikings injured rookie Dalvin Cook, James had earlier committed to the Seminoles before reopening his recruitment. He reportedly visited FSU again this past weekend.
3. (No. 12 RB overall) Asa Martin, Decatur, Ala.
Committed to: Auburn.
Martin has also played basketball and soccer, which helped develop the quickness and footwork that are a big part of his football success.
4. (No. 13 RB overall) Dameon Pierce, Bainbridge, Ga.
Committed to: Florida.
Pierce’s 4.5 time in the 40 and 38-inch vertical leap have brought numerous offers, but he has remained steadfast of his commitment to the Gators through their coaching change and losing season.
5. (No. 21 RB overall) Shaun Shivers, Hollywood, Fla.
Committed to: Auburn.
The 5-7 speedster rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns in his school’s state championship victory earlier this month.
6. (No. 22 RB overall) Chris Curry, Lehigh Acres, Fla.
Committed to: LSU.
The final 4-star on the list, at 6-foot, 200 pounds, Curry’s powerful, downhill running style gives him more in common with Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch than their shared fondness for Skittles.
7. (No. 25 RB overall) Anthony Grant, Buford, Ga.
Committed to: Tennessee.
Grant also plays linebacker and his skills led some schools to recruit him as “an athlete,” but the Vols see him as a running back.
8. (No. 32 RB overall) Slade Bolden, West Monroe, La.
Committed to: Alabama.
Bolden, who in high school has played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, safety and special teams, could wind up playing some slot receiver for the always running back-rich Crimson Tide.
9 (No. 35 RB overall) Deshaun Fenwick, Bradenton, Fla.
Committed to: South Carolina.
Fenwick averaged more than 8 yards per carry this past season and pans to enroll early and get a head start with the Gamecocks.
10. (No. 39 RB overall) Lavonte Valentine, Melbourne, Fla.
Committed to: South Carolina.
Valentine, who tore his right ACL as a freshman, is recovering well from October surgery to repair the torn ACL in his left knee.
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
