Thanks to quality depth, B1G running backs are in store for a special year in 2017

All eyes are going to be on Saquon Barkley in 2017.

So many of those way-to-early Heisman candidates lists project Barkley as a favorite. Following a superb sophomore campaign in which he totaled 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, those premature predictions are difficult to dispute. And considering his 194-yard three-TD performance against USC in the Rose Bowl, deflecting that attention becomes nearly impossible.

Especially after watching the sophomore make plays like this all throughout the year:

Saquon Barkley is UNREAL! He gives #PennState their first lead of the #RoseBowl on this remarkable 79-yard TD run! #WeArePennState #PSUvsUSC pic.twitter.com/YAlmy4VJSN

— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) January 3, 2017

Right now, Barkley is the only B1G running back people are talking about. Really, he’s the only player from the conference that didn’t declare for the NFL Draft that is receiving much attention. Even J.T. Barrett has been shunned by the preseason prognosticators after Ohio State’s 31-0 loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.

But the quality of B1G running backs doesn’t begin and end with Barkley. While he may very well be the most talented back returning to the conference – perhaps even in the country in 2017 – Barkley isn’t head-and-shoulders above his league counterparts like everyone has described.

The B1G was well-equipped with ball-carriers from top-to-bottom in 2016 with nine players hitting that 1,000-yard milestone, most of which have gone unnoticed and unmentioned because of Barkley’s high-profile status.

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Northwestern’s Justin Jackson was actually the conference’s leading rusher last fall, galloping for 1,524 yards on the year.  Maryland’s Ty Johnson led the league in yards per carry average with an astounding 9.1 yard average, though much of that comes against some of the worst rush defenses in the nation.

Iowa had two backs rush for over 1,000 yards for the first time in school history as Akrum Wadley and Leshun Daniels, Jr. combined for 2,139 yards and 20 TDs for the year. Corey Clement, Mike Weber, Devine Redding and Rodney Smith all had special years, too.

Iowa has two 1,000-yard rushers for the first time.

— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) January 2, 2017

As the media continues to drench Barkley with the offseason spotlight, it seems that most are forgetting something. And that’s the fact that six of those nine ball-carriers with 1,000 yards to their name last season are returning to the field in 2017.

Talk about depth.

The B1G isn’t too far removed from one of its most special seasons for running backs. In 2014, the conference was home to the nation’s top three rushers as Melvin Gordon and Tevin Coleman both exceeded the 2,000-yard mark and Ezekiel Elliott dominated the postseason en route to a 1,878-yard, 18-touchdown year which ended with a national title for Ohio State.

Seven backs from the conference surpassed 1,000 yards on the year and the B1G had six of the country’s top 20 ball-carriers statistically. Here’s just the basic stats from what those seven accomplished just three years ago:

Numbers in 2016 weren’t as high. And Jackson – the B1G’s most productive back in total yardage – ranked 15th nationally. Conference running backs weren’t obtaining the same amount of real estate as Gordon, Coleman and Elliott did in 2014.

And that type of yardage may not be seen in the conference again for sometime. Maybe it will. That sort of thing is hard to forecast.

But the quality depth heading into next season is as good as its ever been. And the potential for the B1G backs to steal headlines as it did three seasons ago is pretty high. Just look at some of the totals that are coming back:

What really stands out – season numbers aside – was postseason performances by a few of those guys on that list.

Barkley’s Rose Bowl performance was certainly magical – and if you want to scroll back up to watch that 79-yard TD run again, I wouldn’t blame you – but Jackson and Johnson also pummeled defenses in their respective bowl games.

Jackson had a career-high 224 yards and three TDs in Northwestern’s 31-24 win over Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl. The junior’s performance might’ve been even more impressive than Barkley’s, but because it was a weekday contest, his contributions were somewhat overlooked.

He did all that against a defense that allowed 109 yards per game on the ground for the season.

Johnson had a similar outing for Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Boston College’s ranked seventh nationally against the run and still, the sophomore found ways to make big plays against that stout defense. Johnson finished the day with 159 yards and two TDs on 15 carries. His two scores came on runs of 62 yards and 30 yards.

Ty Johnson broke a 62-yarder to make it 16-7. Ty Schwab got caught all by himself in the middle, then Johnson burned by the safeties. pic.twitter.com/SUUhXuMFQ1

— Julian Benbow (@julianbenbow) December 26, 2016

That’s just a glimpse of what’s returning to B1G backfields next season, alongside Barkley.

The depth of the conference at the position stretches further than those 1,000-yard rushers and big postseason performers.

Michigan State’s L.J. Scott is a player capable of leading Michigan State out of the cellar after a 3-9 year. Despite the Spartans’ struggles, he still totaled 994 yards  on the year. And over in Ann Arbor, Chris Evans put together some solid numbers for the Wolverines as a freshman.

Purdue’s Markell Jones has shown flashes but has been plagued with injuries. Kendrick Foster could be a more potent weapon for Illinois next season, assuming he’s the starter for Lovie Smith.

You could probably throw out the names of half-a-dozen other running backs that could become big contributors in 2017, too.

Considering the amount talent returning, it’s not unprecedented to expect the B1G have 10 – maybe even more – ball-carriers who reach 1,000 yards in 2017. And it’s not misguided to think the guys at the top of the list – Barkley and Jackson – could encounter the same success Gordon and Coleman enjoyed in 2014.

There may not be another conference with this type of depth returning to the backfield. That’s why this upcoming season could be so special for B1G ball-carriers, just like it was three years ago.

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Barkley is worthy of the attention and accolades he’s received. There’s no question he’s proved to be a valid Heisman contender and could very-well be the best running back in the country next season.

He’s developed into a special player. But Barkley isn’t the only guy to keep an eye on.

It’s everyone else that should make 2017 a special year for running backs in the B1G.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB