Ground Gainers
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I’m excited about sports returning in 2020.
We all are ready, especially considering how many were cancelled thus far. Let’s take a look at the best running backs in college football heading into the season.
- Javian Hawkins, Louisville: He was a redshirt freshman and established himself as one of the best ball carriers in the ACC.
He carried the ball 266 times for 1,525 yards, 9 touchdowns and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. His 40-yard dash time is reportedly in the high 4.3s, which would make him one of the fastest players in the nation.
Hawkins is the focal point of Scott Satterfield’s spread offense so he will have a chance for an even better 2020 season.
- Kenny Gainwell, Memphis: As a redshirt freshman in 2019 Gainwell had 2,069 yards of total offense and 16 touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per touch.
He is the new generation at the position that can catch passes and run the ball.
He ran for 1,459 yards on 235 carries with 13 rushing TDs. He caught 51 passes for 610 yards and 3 scores. He had 37 plays of 15 or more yards, so he makes explosive plays.
- Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas: The Last Chance U star is the only bright spot for the Razorbacks.
Last season he rushed for 1,133 yards, 8 scores on 184 attempts (6.2 YPC). It was his second consecutive year as the team’s leading rusher. He managed five 100-yard games and averaged 94.4 rushing yards per game.
First-year head coach Sam Pittman should help strengthen the offensive line. If that happens Boyd should have the best numbers of his career.
- Najee Harris, Alabama: He was the Crimson Tide’s best playmaker last season.
The former 5-star recruit ran for 1,224 yards, 13 TDs on 209 carries (5.9 YPC). He also had 27 receptions for 304 yards and 7 scores. Harris’ 13 rushing touchdowns in 13 games tied for second in the conference.
He ranked third in carries (209), fourth in rushing yards (1,224), and sixth in yards per game (94.15). He is only 1,214 yards behind former Heisman winner Derrick Henry as Alabama’s all-time leading rusher with 2,377 yards for his career.
1.Travis Etienne, Clemson: He doesn’t have anything left to prove at the college
level, so I was surprised he did not declare for the 2020 draft.
Etienne rushed for over 1,600 yards the past two seasons. He’s the Tigers all-time leading rusher and two time All-ACC.
He ran for 1,614 yards and 19 scores last year. In 2018 he led FBS with 24 touchdowns and he rushed for 1,659 yards. He should be a Heisman contender this season.
Honorable mention Kylin Hill, Mississippi State: He’s currently making headlines for threatening to sit out the 2020 season unless the state flag is changed.
Hill is the most talented player the Bulldogs have. He rushed 242 times for 1,350 yards (5.8 YPC) and 10 touchdowns in 2019. He’s currently tied for sixth all-time in 100-yard performances at Mississippi State.
Mike Leach is now the head coach in Starkville and he’s known for the Air Raid. Hill won’t get as many opportunities to carry the ball in 2020.
