As the SEC says goodbye to a few elite running backs, several others are set to increase their own stock while filling the void in their team's backfield. From incoming five-star recruit Leonard Fournette to Corey Grant returning at Auburn, here are five running backs who could breakout in a big way in 2014.
Leonard Fournette (LSU)
Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue are gone, which opens the door for Fournette to burst onto the scene in Baton Rouge. Everything is working in Fournette's favor right now, from the departure of Hill and Blue, to the return of a very good offensive line, to a new quarterback and the subsequent touches he should see out of the gate. Terrence Magee should carry the load early, but Fournette is coming.
Russell Hansbrough (Missouri)
Hansbrough was instrumental in Missouri's rush attack along with the departed Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy. The sophomore finished second behind Josey with 685 rushing yards on 114 attempts. 200 carries and 1,000 rushing yards would appear to be attainable totals with Josey, although Murphy is no slouch out of the backfield either.
Derrick Henry (Alabama)
T.J. Yeldon will have some competition from Henry in his bid to return to Alabama as the feature back. Henry could very well be the next in a long line of Crimson Tide running backs to steamroll over the SEC. He's bigger than Yeldon, Eddie Lacy, and Trent Richardson at 6-foot-3 and nearly 240 pounds. He averaged 10.9 yards per carry in very limited duty last season and caught one pass for a 61-yard touchdown. If that big-play ability is the truth then Henry could take the reigns from Yeldon.
Corey Grant (Auburn)
The trio of Grant, Cameron Artis-Payne, and incoming freshman Peyton Barber will be leaned on to pick up the slack left by Heisman finalist Tre Mason as he heads to the NFL. It's Grant who may run away with the No. 1 option job, as he's, uh, displayed a propensity to run away.
Jalen Hurd (Tennessee)
Is he a four star recruit or a five star recruit? It doesn't really matter all that much for Tennessee. Hurd is a big, fast man. Rajion Neal and his 1,124 rushing yards are gone, and Hurd stands a chance to see some carries as Butch Jones figures out his offense in his second year on the job.
