College Football 2011: 15 Running Backs That Could Lead the Nation in Rushing
LaMichael James, the leading rusher in the FBS in 2010, is back at Oregon for another run at the top spot on the rushing charts.
This year, he's hoping that will translate into a Heisman Trophy and a return trip to the BCS title game for the Ducks.
But there are other backs hoping to best James when it comes to rushing yards, and some of them have the talent to do just that.
Here are fifteen running backs who will be in the running for the top spot on the FBS rushing leader board in 2011.
15. Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky
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This All-Conference back from Western Kentucky was one of the (few) highlights for the Hilltoppers in 2010.
Rainey led the Sun Belt with 1,649 rushing yards in 2010. In fact, his numbers were the best for any running back from a non-AQ conference, just edging out Nevada's Val Taua.
Rainey did not declare for the 2011 NFL Draft, so he'll be back in a Hilltopper uniform for the 2011 season.
With another year of experience under his belt, Rainey will likely again lead the Sun Belt in rushing, especially given Western Kentucky's lack of alternate offensive weaponry.
14. Keola Antolin, Arizona
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Keola Antolin returns for his senior season, and this Wildcat is looking for an opportunity to showcase his skills one last time.
While Antolin didn't have the kind of stats in 2010 that really impress the casual observers, he is a very explosive back, and has the talent to really be something special for Arizona.
His 2010 numbers, 688 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns, really belie the fact that Antolin has the speed to outrun most defenders, even in the speedy Pac-12.
Since Arizona has been featuring the pass game, it wouldn't hurt to keep opposing defenses guessing. Antolin is a great weapon in the backfield, and if he can get the carries, he could easily double his numbers in 2011.
13. Doug Martin, Boise State
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With all of the attention that Heisman hopeful Kellen Moore commands at Boise State, it's easy to miss some impressive numbers put up by other players.
Doug Marin had one heck of a 2010, amassing 1,260 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Broncos.
Returning for his senior year, he looks to improve upon an impressive 6.27 yards per carry, and 96.9 yards per game.
Martin is a big, powerful back at 5-9 and 215 pounds. This California native also has speed, and with defenses placing so much of their attention on Moore, Martin has the perfect opportunity to take advantage of holes opened up by Boise State's prolific passing attack.
Martin is also a player that rises to the level of his competition. Martin's yards per carry improved to 6.53 against ranked BCS-AQ opponents in 2010, and his average yards per game increased to 117.5 in those games.
With a few more big games on the Boise State docket in 2011, Martin will have a perfect opportunity to break into the top echelon FBS running backs.
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12. Chris Thompson, Florida State
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There is a lot of hype surrounding the Seminoles for 2011.
It stands to reason that the hype extends to many of the potential stars for Florida State. One of those potential stars in Chris Thompson.
Thompson is very fast and very agile—not surprising for a running back playing football in the state of Florida.
He's not the biggest back Seminole fans have ever seen, but he's a completely rounded athlete.
Thompson has the ability to really shine for the Seminoles in 2011, and if FSU hopes to prove the hype is well-earned, Thompson will need to be a big part of their offense this season.
11. Marcus Coker, Iowa
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With Adam Robinson no longer in an Iowa Hawkeyes uniform, Marcus Coker will be the go-to guy for the Iowa running game.
Coker has great speed, but Coker has stunning power—even for a Big Ten running back.
He had an amazing performance in the 2010 Insight Bowl against Missouri where he rushed for 223 yards and two scores.
Watch for Coker to light up some Big Ten defenses in 2011.
10. Lance Dunbar, North Texas
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Another running back from the Sun Belt, Lance Dunbar from North Texas finished 2010 in the top ten in FBS rushing totals with 1,553 yards. He also added 13 touchdowns for North Texas last season, and returns for his senior year in 2011.
While North Texas probably won't be winning any championships in the near future, having a stud back like Dunbar certainly helps on the field, and it can help off the field, too, when it comes to recruiting the next star running back.
9. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
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Gray had 12 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards in his junior year for the Aggies in 2010.
Weighing in at right around 200 pounds, Gray has the ability to power through defenses in the Big 12. He also has the jets to speed past defenders on the outside.
Gray made great strides in his junior year, doubling his sophomore output. If he can continue his growth as a back, and if the Aggies are as good as advertised, Gray definitely has a shot at the top of the FBS rushing list come season's end.
8. Michael Dyer, Auburn
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Michael Dyer had a great freshman season.
He helped Auburn win a national championship. He rushed for over 1,000 yards. He averaged 6.01 yards per carry.
Everything about 2010 was great for Auburn and Dyer.
Dyer now has the opportunity to become the star at Auburn.
Unquestionably, Dyer has great talent, great vision, and great speed. Now, Dyer will have the opportunity to showcase all of his skill and talent as Cam Newton makes the jump to the NFL.
More touches should equal more yards, and when you're averaging six yards per touch, it will probably equal a lot more yards.
7. Zach Line, Southern Methodist
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Zach Line finished the 2010 season ranked eleventh in the FBS with 1,494 rushing yards during his sophomore season.
Lone returns to the Mustangs for his junior year, and looks to improve on his 106.7 yards per game from 2010.
SMU is trying to build on recent successes, including two consecutive bowl appearances after not reaching the post season since the pre-death penalty era (1984 Aloha Bowl).
A reliable offensive weapon like Line will help the Mustangs remain competitive in Conference USA, and SMU may follow the play of Line back to the C-USA championship game after losing in 2010 to Central Florida.
6. Chris Polk, Washington
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It's a simple fact that Washington may have to reevaluate its offense after the departure of Jake Locker.
While losing a player like Locker may not be great news for the Huskies, it may statistically help Chris Polk, the Huskies go-to back.
Polk finished 2010 with 1,415 yards rushing, and averaged over 100 yards per game.
The Huskies will need to find a replacement for all of those yards Locker produced, and a proven back like Polk will be more than happy to try and pick up some of the slace.
Polk averaged 20 rushing attempts per game in 2010. Expect that number to increase in 2011.
Even if Polk maintains his 5.44 yards per carry average, he'll be near the top in terms of FBS rushing leaders.
If Polk increases his average, he has a very realistic shot at the top spot in 2011.
5. Trent Richardson, Alabama
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Finally, Trent Richardson will get his chance.
The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram has moved on to the NFL, and that means that Richardson will move into the starting position in the Crimson Tide's backfield.
Richardson and Ingram were a scary-good tandem in 2010. Now, Richardson has the opportunity to show the nation that he's every bit as good as we think he is.
In his back-up role in 2010, Richardson had 700 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Richardson has some amazing power, and he uses his size to his advantage rolling over defensive linemen and linebackers.
When he runs to the outside, he can outrun most corners and safeties in the nation.
This impressive one-two skill combination added to the fact that Richardson is now the top dog in the Alabama backfield means that he should easily more than double 2010's numbers.
4. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State
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Ronnie Hillman had an amazing year in 2010, especially considering he was only a freshman.
Hillman led all FBS freshmen as he rushed for 1,532 yards in his first year (117.85 yards per game), and added 17 touchdowns for the Aztecs.
Hillman also averaged 5.85 yards per carry. That gives San Diego State more options on any down, regardless of the distance.
Hillman and the Aztecs will have a bigger stage in 2011 as the MWC looks to easily be the toughest non-AQ conference in the nation, and may even be tougher than some conferences that have a automatic BCS qualifier.
That should bother Hillman, though. In 2010, in the two games SDSU played against ranked opponents, Hillman's rushing average actually increased to 7.83 yards per carry. He also averaged fewer attempts in those games, giving him a very impressive 141 yards per game against ranked opponents in 2010.
3. Andre Ellington, Clemson
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This junior for the Tigers is looking for a breakout season in 2011, and he may very well get it.
With amazing agility and good field vision, Ellington averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2010.
He also has something that's very hard to teach college running backs: patience. He waits for holes to appear, and then exploits them with his amazing acceleration.
If Ellington can stay healthy in 2011, and the Tigers go to him more than the 118 times they did last season, he has the talent to be among the nation's top rushers.
2. Knile Davis, Arkansas
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Knile Davis is one of the most underrated running backs in the FBS.
Part of that is probably due to the fact that he was stuck in the long shadow cast by Ryan Mallett. But in 2010, Davis began to break out of the backfield, and amassed 1,322 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
While the Razorbacks certainly struggled in the Sugar Bowl, that's no reason to jump off the Razorback bandwagon, nor is it reason enough to doubt Davis' abilities.
Davis had four games in 2010 in which he rushed for over 150 yards. In 2011, the offensive focus will be squarely on his shoulders.
If Davis continues to perform at a high level, don't even count Arkansas out of a game.
1. LaMichael James, Oregon
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It's not going to come as a galloping shock to most if LaMichael James has another monster year at tailback for the Oregon Ducks.
After all, James led the FBS in rushing yards in 2010 with 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns.
James is back for his junior year, and if it's even possible, he may be bigger, faster, and strong than he was in 2011.
Will James and the Ducks have the ability to repeat last year's run through their conference en route to the BCS title game?
September is just around the corner...
Honorable Mention: Denard Robinson, Michigan
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While not a running back, Denard Robinson, the returning junior quarterback at the University of Michigan, also has an excellent chance at capturing the top rushing spot in the FBS in 2011.
His 2010 numbers were, in a word, amazing—especially for a quarterback.
Robinson amassed 1,702 yards with his feet. No other quarterback, not even Cam Newton, came close.
That also put Robinson at third on the 2010 rushing leaders list.
Now comes the impressive part. Robinson accumulated all of that yardage on just 256 carries—easily best in the nation for those with over 200 carries.
His 6.65 yards per carry bested LaMichael James by 0.76 yards per carry.
If Robinson can stay healthy in 2011—something with which he had trouble in 2010—and gets anywhere close to the number of carries the top running backs in the nation get, the year may end with a Wolverine's name at the top of the rushing list.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
