(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

As the 2009 football season creeps a little closer ever day, I get more anxious to see the most talented football players in all college football compete, those players being in the SEC.

I think the running back position is the second most fun position to watch in all college football behind that of the QB role. We all know the SEC has it's fair share of talented quarterbacks but often the many talented RBs are left out?

So I would like to take a little time and list just a few guys who have what it takes to make a good SEC team a great team.

Now I know I might leave a guy or two off who you think deserves to be on this list, but know that their are many to chose from. So if I do indeed leave off your favorite running back please just ask why I did this or make me aware of who it is, as I am not aware of all the many RBs in the SEC.

So with that said, I would like to list five guys who I think has what it takes to help their team in a great way in '09.

The first is Michael Smith: Smith was more or less a third string guy most of his career at Arkansas until he was brought into the spotlight in '08. Michael played behind two great players in the two-time Doak Walker award winner Darren McFadden and well rounded back Felix Jones.

Smith turned gained much confidence in the '08 spring game where he put up some great numbers in the red vs white spring practice game. The football season soon followed and so did the emergence of star Michael Smith. Michael had some great games in '08 but almost none better than the Kentucky game that came down to the last seconds.

Kentucky did not have an answer for explosive Smith, he was the Pig's leading rusher and receiver in that game. Smith had a total of 192 yards rushing and 33 yards receiving for a total of 225 total yards. Smith had some great runs in that game but Kentucky's Mike Hartline helped his team to a one point win that made the score 21-20.

Michael Smith also made a strong finish to the '08 season gaining 630 yards in a four game stretch against foes Florida, Auburn, Kentucky and Ole Miss.

In '09 look for Smith to take the led and help bring this team back to the top of the SEC. Michigan State transfer Ryan Mallet will also be a big help as he is said to have a great football IQ.

Smith will help carry his team to the top of the SEC and Bobby Pertino and Ryan Mallet will only make the process that much easier for him. Smith is going to get a lot more carriers this year and will look to impress some scouts in '09.

The second is Charles Scott: Charles Scott maybe the most well rounded back in the SEC in '09. He is not a very fast guy but has the ability to turn on the speed once he hits the edge of the line. Scott has a very nice frame he stands 5'11'' tall and weighs 233 lbs.

This is a guy teams have to build their game plan around when they face LSU. He has the ability to make a short and inches dive play turn into a 20 yard first down. Scott is a very hard working kid who gets most of his yards between the tackles. Scott is one of LSU's most productive running backs in school history with 1,775 career rushing yards to go along with 28 TDs.

Scott runs with out standing power along with the fact he has great balance in his game. Scott is also one of the most versatile backs the SEC has to offer.

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