Athlon Sports picks four SEC backfields among the nation’s top six units

The SEC has long been known for strong defenses, but it is also known as a great conference for running backs.

Athlon recently ranked the top 50 RB units for the upcoming season, and four SEC schools made the top six. In all, 10 SEC schools were picked as having a top 50 backfield. Alabama is ranked in the top spot with Georgia (No. 2), Auburn (No. 5), and LSU (No. 6) landing in the top six.

Steven Lassan with Athlon Sports shared the rankings and his thoughts on what makes Alabama special.

Here’s what he had to say:

“The 2017 Crimson Tide offense could feature the deepest backfield of Nick Saban’s Alabama tenure. Damien Harris (1,037 yards) led the team in rushing last season, but Bo Scarbrough was the Tide’s best back late in the year (he averaged 113.5 yards over the final four games). Harris and Scarbrough are back to lead the ground attack, with Josh Jacobs contributing as a change-of-pace or third-down option. True freshman and five-star recruit Najee Harris impressed during spring practice and is expected to have a prominent role. Fellow true freshman Brian Robinson ranked as a four-star recruit in the 2017 signing class and could find a role this season.”

Here are the other SEC schools that made Athlon’s list of Top 50 running back units for the upcoming season:

14. Vanderbilt

15. Texas A&M

42. Arkansas

45. Missouri

46. Kentucky

47. Florida

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.