We’re not talking enough about these 7 SEC football players | Toppmeyer

It’s a quarterback’s world. Running backs are just living in it.

That’s apparent in the SEC. Once known for “old-man football,” the SEC teems with elite quarterbacks. Running backs are window dressing.

Exceptions exist.

Cody Schrader went from Division II transfer to SEC star. He powered Missouri to 11 victories last season and led the nation in rushing yards per game. So good, Schrader was, that I used my third-place Heisman Trophy vote on him. Ole Miss’ Quinshon Judkins packed a punch, too.

Both departed. Schrader joined the NFL’s 49ers roster, and Judkins transferred to Ohio State. The SEC’s cupboard of running backs became barer, while its quarterback stock might be its best ever.

The nation’s best teams have become less reliant on their backfield. Used to be, teams ran their way to glory. Ten of the 15 teams that won the national championship from the 2004-18 seasons ranked in the top 20 nationally for rushing. In the five seasons since then, only 2022 Georgia ranked in the top 20 nationally in rushing, and the Bulldogs still lacked a 1,000-yard rusher.

This evolution isn’t unique to the SEC. From 1970 through the 1990s, a running back won the Heisman Trophy 17 times.

In the 24 seasons since then the ‘90s, just three running backs won the Heisman – none since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015.

That trend almost certainly will continue. No running backs rank among FanDuel’s 25 Heisman front-runners. If you’re looking for a longshot Heisman bet, try Judkins, whose 100-to-1 odds top all running backs.

Some would say the growth of spread offenses resulted in this evolution, but I don’t think that tells the full story. Urban Meyer’s 2008 Florida Gators were an excellent ground team. Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps piled up rushing yards from Meyer’s spread.

Michael Dyer rushed for…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/were-not-talking-enough-7-100531226.html

Author : The Tennessean

Publish date : 2024-06-06 10:05:31

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