College Football Predictions: SEC RBs Who Could Eclipse 1,000 Yards in 2010

The SEC is a conference that isn't short on running back talent. As a matter of fact, the current holder of the Heisman trophy currently makes his home at the University of Alabama—Mark Ingram. That said, there is plenty more talent where that came from, and, at least some of it is a tad under-appreciated because of a lack of exposure.

However, the way to the big time is to become a 1,000 yard runner. The SEC, for all it's great talent, only saw five players hit that mark in 2009. In 2008, theres were four, in 2007, a banner year, there were eight, and in 2006, there were only two (both played for the University of Arkansas).

 So, as much as it is an expectation in the pro ranks to see a tailback cross the 1,000 yard threshold, it's not an easy feat in the SEC where the defenses often make every yard count, and the running back by committee (RBC) method is more the rule than the exception.

 Even still, there are a few guys who have the potential to reach that milestone in 2010. In no particular order, these are my candidates.

Derrick Locke—Kentucky

2009 Stats: 196 attempts, 908 yards, and six touchdowns

Derrick Locke missed one game last season in order to rest a sore knee. That one game, against Eastern Kentucky, could very well have been the difference in him hitting the 1,000 yard mark in 2009.

2010 brings some challenges his way, as the Wildcats lost four starters on their offensive line at the end of last season. That said, a player as talented as Locke has never had a problem being productive on the football field.

If he can get the ball rolling early, starting with three fairly manageable opponents, he could have enough momentum to keep it going all year long.

Warren Norman—Vanderbilt

2009 Stats: 145 attempts, 783 yards, and three touchdowns

Last season, the rising sophomore averaged 12 carries per game—12. He parlayed that into 783 yards of ground offense for a Commodore team that often had trouble creating much offense at all. He did it against lesser-tiered opposition as well as against some of the better run defenses in the league (Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee all gave up better than 5.0 ypc to Norman in their contests).

If new coach Robbie Caldwell can gel an offensive line that is competent enough to open a running lane or two, and if Vanderbilt can find a way to get Norman three or four more carries a game, there is little reason to believe he won't eclipse the 1,000 yard mark in just his second season.

Jeffery Demps—Florida

2009 Stats: 99 attempts, 745 yards, and seven touchdowns

Not sure if many people know this yet, but...Jeffery Demps is really, really, really, fast. His 7.53 yards per carry average was tops in the SEC last season, and he did more with less than any other back in the conference—despite the presence of No. 15 on his team.

This year, he will have more opportunities to showcase his world-class speed as new quarterback John Brantley will concentrate more on the pass than the run, and someone will need to pick up the slack that Tebow left behind.

Add to that the fact that the Gators have one of the best offensive lines in the country coming into 2010, and you have to like Demps' chances not only to make it to 1,000, but also to eclipse it substantially.

Trent Richardson—Alabama

2009 Stats: 144 attempts, 749 yards, and eight touchdowns

The Alabama Crimson Tide have a very good chance of producing two 1,000 yard rushers next season.

The prowess of Richardson is already well known by SEC fans, and he isn't expected to scale it back one bit come 2010. His biggest roadblock might very well be his Heisman-winning teammate, Mark Ingram, who will look to match his stellar 2009 numbers (1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns) while hopefully leading his team to another SEC Championship.

That said, Richardson is all about having fun, and there is little pressure on him to do anything more than play his brand of football (carefree and all-out). If he continues to do that, 1,000 yards is not only manageable but also quite possibly an expectation in 2010.

Washaun Ealey—Georgia

2009 Stats: 125 attempts, 717 yards, and three touchdowns

Ealey didn't put in his first appearance of the year until the Bulldogs faced LSU in game five of the 2009 season. He was limited to a handful of carries, but any fan of the team  will tell you that without a doubt he was the spark in the Georgia Bulldogs' offense that day.

Ealey only got better as the season progressed, and he added an exclamation point at the end by delivering a 183-yard performance against the team's bitter in-state rival, Georgia Tech.

2010 offers a new quarterback, a more-experienced offensive line, and a heavier reliance on the running game to get the offense moving. Ealey, along with Caleb King, will be expected to get his mojo going early, and he's expected to be ready for the challenge.

If he can keep his head on straight and maintain focus, he will have little trouble making his presence felt in the SEC this season.

(This article appears courtesy of The Lady Sportswriter)