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SEC Network analysts attempt to rank the conference’s top 5 RBs for 2017
By Paul Harvey
Published:
The SEC has been known for many strong RBs throughout its history, and this season will be no different.
Sure, Leonard Fournette is gone, but the conference returns a plethora of really good backs that are ready to stand among the nation’s best.
Former UGA OL Matt Stinchcomb and former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik recently ranked their top five RBs in the SEC during a segment on the SEC Network. Both lists were different, but the analysts did agree on the top two spots: No. 1 LSU’s Derrius Guice and No. 2 Georgia’s Nick Chubb.
The ranking encompassed eight different teams. That shows you just how deep the conference is at the position.
On Guice:
“He’s a feature back,” said Stinchcomb, “And he could’ve been a feature back with the only other feature back in Leonard Fournette.”
“He makes unbelievable jump cuts,” explained Chizik. “If he wants to make you miss he can make you miss.”
On Chubb:
“I love this guy,” said Chizik. “This guy is back…In his mind, he knows he’s healthy. He wasn’t happy with 1,100 yards. He’s got great vision; he’s got great speed. I think he’s gonna be a phenom.”
The Rest:
Stinchcomb finished his list with No. 3 Kentucky’s Benny Snell, No. 4 Tennessee’s John Kelly, and No. 5 Missouri’s Damarea Crockett. The most surprising of either top five is Kelly. Stinchcomb likes Kelly’s breakaway speed and that the Vols will make him a featured back this season.
The rest of Chizik’s top five included No. 3 Auburn’s Kamryn Pettway, No. 4 Alabama’s Bo Scarbrough, and No. 5 Vanderbilt’s Ralph Webb. Chizik said Auburn’s Pettway and Kerryon Johnson remind him of Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams.
Two players that surprisingly didn’t make the cut: Florida’s Jordan Scarlett and Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
