SEC Football 2012: Ranking the Conference's Top 15 Running Backs

The SEC lost its two most productive running backs from last season—Alabama’s Trent Richardson, who was taken with the third pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and Auburn’s Michael Dyer, who followed Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State back in January.

The good news is, the league will welcome back two of the most talented running backs in the country—Arkansas' Knile Davis and South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore, who both missed significant time last season due to injuries. 

Davis and Lattimore will be the two premier backs in the league going into the season, and they'll be the two overwhelming favorites to win the SEC rushing crown in 2012. 

There will also be plenty of other backs in the now 14-team conference that deserve attention as well this season, and the type of talent that we'll see in SEC backfields could compete with the running back crops in any other conference in college football. 

Here's a look at how the conference's Top 15 running backs stack up for the 2012 season. 

1. Knile Davis, Arkansas

I rated Knile Davis as the No. 1 running back prospect for the 2013 NFL draft in the recent watch list I put out, and I sincerely feel that if there's any running back who's going to crack the Top 10 of next year's draft, it's going to be Davis.

After a breakout sophomore campaign in 2010 when he burst onto the scene, rushing for 1,322 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns, Davis looked like he was ready to become a national star last year. However, a freak preseason ankle injury ended up costing him the entire season.

After rehabbing and rehabilitating for months, Davis is now ready to make up for lost time, and he could be primed for a monster campaign in 2012.

The 6'0'', 220-pound junior possesses a rare combination of size, speed, power, balance and running instincts, and physically reminds me of former Arkansas back, Darren McFadden. 

If his ankle is 100 percent, the Razorbacks will have the type of offensive firepower with Davis, QB Tyler Wilson, WR Cobi Hamilton and TE Chris Gragg to have one of the most explosive offensive attacks in college football this season. 

2. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore might be the most physically gifted and intimidating running back to grace the college game since Adrian Peterson was powering his way through Big 12 defenses at Oklahoma.

That's why it was so heartbreaking to see him go down with a serious knee injury midway through last season on a play where he didn't even have the ball. 

It remains to be seen if Lattimore will truly be fully recovered by the time the 2012 season gets underway, but even if he's at just 80 percent of his former self this year, he may still be good enough to win the SEC rushing crown. 

In just 20 career games, the 6'0'', 218-pound junior totaled 2,609 yards of offense and scored 30 touchdowns. 

Lattimore is the epitome of a bell cow back, and he's the type of talented and humble young man that you just can't help but root for. 

If his knee is up to the task, Lattimore has a chance to have a sensational comeback campaign in 2012, capable of developing into a Top 15-pick in the 2013 NFL draft. 

3. Eddie Lacy, Alabama

For the second year in a row, Alabama will have to replace a first-round draft pick running back. Last year, it was Trent Richardson who took over for Heisman-winner Mark Ingram, and this year it will be Eddie Lacy who takes over for Richardson. 

Since Richardson was the featured back of Alabama's rushing attack last season, Lacy didn't get to touch the ball all that often, but when his number was called, he took the opportunity to flaunt his skills for all to see. 

Last year, the 6'1'', 220-pound junior averaged a whopping 7.1 yards per carry, the highest average in the SEC, and he finished the season with 805 yards of offense and seven touchdowns. 

Lacy is the type of big, physical and downhill runner who fits perfectly in Alabama's offense. With the nation's best offensive line in front of him, he should have plenty of room to tear off big runs once again in 2012. 

Alabama's backfield may lack a notable star like Ingram or Richardson going into the season, but with Lacy leading the way, and backs like Jalston Fowler, Dee Hart and highly touted freshman T.J. Yeldon behind him, the Tide should have one of the most potent and productive rushing attacks in the country this season. 

4. Christine Michael, Texas A&M

Marcus Lattimore won't be the only SEC back returning from a serious knee injury this year. Texas A&M's Christine Michael has also been rehabbing a torn knee ligament that he experienced late in the 2011 season. 

Like Lattimore, Michael is expected to be ready to go for the start of the 2012 season, which is good news for Aggies fans, as A&M is certainly going to need him now that last year's leading rusher Cyrus Gray is donning a Kansas City Chiefs uniform. 

Michael arrived in College Station as a highly touted 5-star recruit back in 2009, but injuries have prevented him from reaching his full potential as of yet. 

The 5'11'', 213-pound senior possesses as much physical ability and natural talent as any other back in the country, and with Gray out of the picture, he'll have the chance to really prove himself in 2012. 

If Michael's knee is at full strength, he should have a stellar season this year, as he'll have the benefit of having one of the nation's strongest offensive lines opening up holes for him. 

It should be very interesting to see how the Aggies handle the step up in competition in the SEC this season. However, with Michael leading the way on the ground, Texas A&M's offense could surprise a lot of folks in 2012. 

5. Isaiah Crowell, Georgia

The departures of Georgia's top two running backs, Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, last offseason forced highly touted freshman Isaiah Crowell into a starting role basically by default in 2011. 

Last year, Crowell was forced to immediately prove that he was worth his high school hype, and he did just that, finishing sixth in the SEC with 850 rushing yards. 

Crowell showed the flashes that Georgia fans wanted to see, but that doesn't mean that he didn't experience a few bumps in the road along the way. 

The 5'11'', 215-pound sophomore had bouts of immaturity last season, and he found himself in Mark Richt's dog house on more than one occasion in 2011. 

Still, Crowell seems to have matured and learned from the experience, and he now appears primed to have a huge sophomore campaign in 2012. 

The key for Crowell this season will be versatility. Last year, he was downright awful as a pass-blocker, and he often had a deer in the headlights look any time he was asked to pick up a blitz. He also didn't offer much in the passing game as a receiver, only catching eight passes for 59 yards. 

If Crowell can continue to improve as a pass-blocker and show that he can be a threat out of the backfield as a receiver in 2012, he should be one of the most dangerous backs in the country this season. 

6. Spencer Ware, LSU

With Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue all returning to Baton Rouge, LSU will have the deepest and most talented backfield in the country in 2012. 

The leader of that group is expected to be Spencer Ware. 

Last year, Ware totaled 780 yards of offense and scored nine touchdowns, but the problem was, he faded down the stretch, and he wasn't much of a factor late in the season. 

The 5'11'', 223-pound junior will hopefully be in better condition to hold up for a full season in 2012, because LSU is going to need its big, power back to be ready to go late in the year against the likes of Alabama and Arkansas. 

Ware is built exactly how you want an SEC back to look, as he has the size, strength, vision and agility to consistently create key runs against the big, athletic front-sevens that the conference is known for. 

While he may have to once again split carries with the Tigers' three other talented backs, Ware could be in store for an eye-opening campaign in 2012 as long as he comes in and truly prepares himself to take the next step this season. 

7. Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt

When Warren Norman went down with an injury that shelved him for the entire 2011 season, Vanderbilt desperately needed a back to step up and fill the shoes of the former SEC Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.

Well, Zac Stacy did just that. 

Stacy stepped into the starting lineup and proved to be one of the most pleasant surprises in college football last season, as he bulldozed his way through opposing defenses and racked up 1,193 yards on the ground and scored 14 touchdowns. 

It's remarkable runs like this one against Kentucky that show you what type of powerful and determined runner Stacy really is. 

This season, the 5'9'', 208-pound senior will have to share carries with Norman, who is set to return from injury. However, he proved to the coaching staff last year that he's a valuable component of the offense, and he's going to warrant plenty of touches yet again in 2012. 

8. Michael Ford, LSU

Michael Ford isn't the flashiest runner that you're ever going to lay your eyes on, and he isn't the type of highlight-reel star that's going to make it into many SportsCenter Top 10 segments. What Ford is, however, is the kind of productive and dependable work horse that always seems to get the job done when he's counted on. 

Last year, the sturdy 5'10'', 215-pound junior ran for 756 yards and scored seven touchdowns, even though he only carried the ball 127 times. 

Personally, I think Ford compares favorably to former Auburn star Cadillac Williams, and he's the type of strong, physical back that no defender wants to have to try to bring down. 

Although he'll once again have to split carries with fellow backfield mates Spencer Ware, Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue, Ford should get enough carries in 2012 to prove that he's one of the most talented backs in not just the SEC, but the entire country. 

9. Onterio McCallebb, Auburn

There's no doubt that the Auburn offense is going to miss the presence of star back Michael Dyer in the backfield. Dyer was a main part of the Tigers offense during his two seasons with the team, as he ran for over 2,300 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. 

The player that will be asked to step up in his absence will be Onterio McCalebb. 

While the 5'11'', 174-pound McCalebb may not have the size to consistently pound it inside the tackles like Dyer could, he does have the speed and play-making ability to create big plays, which he showed last season when he totaled six plays of 30 or more yards. 

McCalebb's MVP performance against Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl is an encouraging sign, and the good news is, he won't have to carry the rushing load by himself, as Tre Mason is a capable complement. 

The Tigers offense lacked explosiveness and consistency in 2011, but if McCalebb can have a big senior year this season, Auburn's offensive attack should be much more potent this season. 

10. Kenny Hilliard, LSU

Kenny Hilliard is the third thoroughbred in LSU's four-horse running back stable. 

HIlliard may not be as talked about as fellow backs Spencer Ware and Michael Ford just yet, but he may actually be the most physically gifted member of the Tigers' ultra-talented backfield, and he could be in store for a breakout campaign in 2012 if he gets enough carries. 

The 5'11'', 240-pound sophomore only touched the ball 60 times last year, but he still managed to total 333 yards and score nine touchdowns. 

Now it's time to see if Hilliard is ready for a bigger offensive role this season. 

While it remains to be seen just how the LSU coaching staff will split up the carries between all of their backs, you would have to figure that given Hilliard's strong performance in the latter part of last season, that he's going to be a key figure in the run game in 2012. 

The big, powerful runner is capable of being more than just a short-yardage back, and it will be interesting to see how the Tigers choose to utilize Hilliard this season. 

11. Mike Gillislee, Florida

Florida lost its two most effective offensive weapons from last season, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, and their speed and home-run ability will certainly be missed this season. 

Still, all hope is not lost for the Gators offense, which is a unit that admittedly had plenty of troubles in 2011. 

New starting running back Mike Gillislee may still be largely unproven, as he's yet to carry the ball more than 60 times in a season, but he's got the physical makeup to be successful in his new role this season. 

Gillislee is a former 4-star recruit out of Florida's Deland High School, who arrived in Gainesville as one of the top-ranked running back prospects of the 2009 recruiting class. 

Last season, the 5'11'', 198-pound senior only carried the ball 56 times, but when he did get the ball, he made something happen with it, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. 

Gillislee will be asked to take on a much bigger role in the offense in 2012, and it should be interesting to see if he's up for the challenge. 

One thing's for sure—if the Gators want to actually compete with the likes of Georgia and South Carolina in the SEC East this season, they're going to need to get more production out of a ground attack that averaged just 141 rushing yards per game in 2011. 

Gillislee will be the key to Florida's rushing success, and if he steps up as a senior, the offense should finally be able to get back on track this season. 

12. LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State

It won't be easy for the Mississippi State offense to just replace the production that RB Vick Ballard gave the team over the last two seasons. In his two-year stint as a Bulldog, Ballard ran for over 2,100 yards and scored 31 touchdowns. 

Obviously, his presence in the backfield will be missed, but his successor, LaDarius Perkins, has the type of skills to really make a name for himself in the SEC in 2012. 

Last year, Perkins only carried the ball 87 times, but he did average 4.9 yards per carry and score four touchdowns. 

The 5'10'', 180-pound junior is capable of catching the ball out of the backfield, and he's got the speed and instincts to make things happen once he gets into the open field. 

Perkins has the type of strong frame that should be able to handle an increased workload in 2012, and offensive guru Dan Mullen will likely figure out plenty of different ways to get the most out of his abilities this season. 

13. Jeff Scott, Ole Miss

At just 5-foot-7, 175-pounds, Jeff Scott is one of the smallest running backs in the SEC. However, the diminutive backs packs a lot of explosion into his slight frame. 

Last season, Scott proved his value as a runner, receiver and returner, as he finished eighth in the SEC with 101 all-purpose yards per game. The junior didn't exactly have the strongest supporting cast around him in 2011, but that didn't stop him from averaging 4.5 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns last season.

Scott will once again be the focal point of Mississippi's offense in 2012, but this time around, he'll have new head coach Hugh Freeze, one of the brightest young offensive minds in college football, to help figure out how to properly use him. 

The speedy Rebel rusher is one of the most dangerous offensive play-makers in the SEC. If Scott can get the players around him to step up, he should have more room to cause severe damage to opposing defenses this season. 

14. Brandon Wilds, South Carolina

Brandon Wilds and Kenny Miles will battle it out for the No. 2 running back spot on South Carolina's depth chart in fall camp, but I expect that it will ultimately be Wilds who ends up being the main backup to returning star Marcus Lattimore. 

When Lattimore went down with a knee injury midway through the season last year, it was Wilds who stepped in as a true freshman and flourished, reeling off three 100-plus yard rushing efforts in his first four games as a starter. 

The 6'1'', 223-pound sophomore proved that he can match up with SEC caliber defenses, and now that he has some experience under his belt, there's no telling how bright his future could be. 

Wilds still has to learn all of the nuances of South Carolina's offense, and he has to develop more patience and vision as a runner, but the signs he showed last year are certainly exciting. 

With Lattimore and Wilds both in the mix, the Gamecocks will have the type of big, physical duo that should really hammer away and wear down defenses this season. 

15. Kendial Lawrence, Missouri

Missouri's top tailback Henry Josey likely won't be able to suit up for the 2012 season, as Josey is still recovering from a serious knee injury he experienced late last season. 

Instead, the Tigers are probably going to have to rely heavily on Kendial Lawrence to guide their rushing attack. 

When Josey went down against Texas last year, Lawrence entered the fray and showed that he could be a valuable replacement for the budding star back, totaling 429 yards of offense and scoring three touchdowns in the final four games of the season. 

Lawrence was expected to be the starting tailback going into the 2011 season, but a cracked fibula early in the year ended up costing him three games, and it allowed Josey to step in and shine. 

Now, in a strange twist of irony, it will be Josey's injury that will likely offer Lawrence the chance to prove himself in 2012.

Other Running Backs to Watch

Alfred Blue, LSU

CoShik Williams, Kentucky

Dennis Johnson, Arkansas

Jalston Fowler, Alabama

Keith Marshall, Georgia

Marlin Lane Jr., Tennessee

T.J. Yeldon, Alabama

Tre Mason, Auburn 

Trey Burton, Florida

Trey Williams, Texas A&M

Warren Norman, Vanderbilt