Top 5 Impact Freshman Running Backs

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Last week we looked at the impact freshman quarterbacks in the SEC, which can be hit or miss depending on who is ready to play early and who needs more time to develop.

This week we’ll look at the top five impact freshman running backs entering the league. Running back is a much easier position to make a quick splash because if the player can run, the player can play.

Here are five running backs from the 2009 signing class that could make significant impacts this upcoming season.

1. Trent Richardson — Alabama

It was difficult to decide who to put at #1. The SEC has two tailbacks entering the league who stand out among the rest (you’ll see the other one next…although I’m sure you know his name). Richardson took over the #1 spot because of Glen Coffee’s departure for the NFL. Mark Ingram returns after having a great freshman season last year, rushing for 728 yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns. Ingram is clearly the favorite to start, but Richardson, who signed out of Pensacola, should find a role immediately in Tuscaloosa. Teams can’t win in the SEC by relying on only one tailback, especially the way Alabama runs the football. The Crimson Tide will also experience growing pains along the offensive line, which could make for an exhausting time in the offensive backfield. I’m not forgetting about Roy Upchurch or Terry Grant returning for Alabama. I just expect Richardson’s talent to put him on the field early and often for the Tide. And don’t forget, head coach Nick Saban won’t play favorites. Richardson might be the most confident player entering the SEC, too, which says a lot considering the high-profile players who were signed in the 2009 class.

2. Bryce Brown — Tennessee

Brown could have easily taken the top spot on the list. Brown and Richardson will be a fun tandem to watch to see who outshines the other in their SEC careers. Everyone knows who Brown is by now — partly because of his talent and partly because of the media circus he created with his recruitment. Regardless, the tailback from Wichita, Kansas, can run the football. He has the size to run in between the tackles and the speed to break a big play and go the distance. Like Alabama, UT has several players returning who could keep Brown off the field. Senior Montario Hardesty will be the starter, and redshirt freshman Tauren Poole has impressed the Knoxville folk since he arrived last spring. True freshman Toney Williams also went through spring drills at UT this semester. Still, Brown will be the most talented tailback when he arrives on UT’s campus. And like Saban, UT head coach Lane Kiffin plays his best player, and Kiffin has made Brown-Reggie Bush comparisons. That makes me think he likes Brown’s ability. Brown isn’t guaranteed to be a great player at UT, but history tells us that the #1 player in the country (at least by Rivals) usually turns out to be a big-time player.

3. Jarvis Giles — South Carolina

The athletic tailback from Tampa, already has South Carolina fans excited because of his strong performance in spring practice. Giles, who enrolled at South Carolina in January, probably needs to add weight to be able to play right away, but that’s exactly why he started his college career five months early. South Carolina’s offense has struggled in recent years because it’s lacked playmakers in the backfield. Giles is a playmaker. Head coach Steve Spurrier has to find ways to get the ball to Giles. He will be the Gamecocks’ best home run threat, and he could provide excitement for the South Carolina fan base. Plus, Spurrier likely doesn’t have much time remaining in Columbia. Why would Spurrier let a talented young player sit on the bench if his future in South Carolina is in question? Giles has the personality to be a big hit, too. Gamecock fans will love him.

4. Onterio McCalebb — Auburn

McCalebb is in a similar situation to Giles. McCalebb enrolled this spring at Auburn and went through spring drills, and Auburn has a serious need for playmakers in the offensive backfield. The tailback from Fort Meade, Florida, spent last year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. That time at Hargrave should have helped McCalebb mature and prepare for life in the SEC. Auburn has a new coaching staff willing to give everyone an opportunity, and McCalebb will have a great chance to see playing time this fall. The Tigers return senior Ben Tate, junior Mario Fannin and sophomore Eric Smith at running back. None of those players are good enough to keep McCalebb off the field if the coaching staff believes he’s ready to play. McCalebb’s 70-yard touchdown run in the spring game showed his big-play ability, something we didn’t see from the Auburn offense last fall. I’m not forgetting about Dontae Aycock, another talented tailback who signed with Auburn in February. I gave McCalebb the edge because he’s already at Auburn, but Aycock can play as well. The Tigers will give all of their young players plenty of opportunities.

5. Washaun Ealey — Georgia

Ealey could easily be ranked higher on this list. The tailback from Twin City, Georgia, is the real deal, and he’s even been compared to Herschel Walker (by the way, if Ealey matches Walker’s production in Athens, Ealey becomes #1 on this list). Georgia needs help at running back, too, considering Knowshon Moreno now plays for the Denver Broncos in the NFL. Caleb King and Richard Samuel will have the first not at tailback this fall, but head coach Mark Richt showed us last fall that he will play a star freshman (receiver A.J. Green). Ealey still needs to make sure he’s eligible to play this fall, but that doesn’t appear to be a big issue. Ealey might not rush for nearly 8,000 yards in his Georgia career like he did in high school, but his highlight reel shows what kind of ability he possesses. Georgia will have a new quarterback and a bunch of big, young targets at receiver (Green and true freshmen Marlon Brown and Orson Charles). An instant impact from Ealey would take a lot of pressure off Georgia’s passing game.