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Top 10 B1G Running Backs for the 2017 Season

Garrett Kroeger

By Garrett Kroeger

Published:

Last season, B1G running backs were phenomenal. Nine topped the 1,000 yard mark, which was the most since 2002. It could have been 10, but Michigan State’s L.J. Scott fell just short of the 1,000 yard barrier.

This year, B1G backfields will be loaded once again.Of the nine 1,000 yard runners the conference produced last year, six (plus Scott) are back to terrorize defenses.

Looking around the nation, at least two or three of the B1G running backs should be considered as some of the country’s elite runners. With that said, here is the best 10 in the conference:

10. Chris Evans, Michigan

2016 stats: 88 carries, 614 yards and four touchdowns

Heading into the 2017 season, it is still unknown who will be the Wolverines’ starting back. But do not be surprised if it is Evans.

As a freshman, Evans was a solid contributor. But this year, he is ready to be the workhorse.

 

Evans came to Michigan weighing 200 pounds. This offseason, he comes in at 215. He is bigger and stronger. Evans’ game should reflect that this season as the Wolverines (probable) starter.

9. James Butler, Iowa

2016 stats: 260 carries, 1,336 yards and 12 touchdowns at Nevada

The Hawkeyes made a big splash landing grad transfer, James Butler.

During the past two seasons, Butler has ran for more than  2,600 combined yards. Before announcing that he was transferring, Butler was seen as the Mountain West’s best back.

With the addition of Butler, combined with star Akrum Wadley (who will show up later on this list), gives Iowa a formidable ground game to help compensate a passing game that needs retooling heading into 2017.

It would not be surprising to see Butler eclipse 1,000 yards this year.

8. Ty Johnson, Maryland

2016 stats: 110 carries, 1,004 yards and six touchdowns

Johnson may be the fastest back in the B1G.

Last season, Johnson led the nation in yards per carry, averaging more than nine yards per attempt and rushing for 20 or more yards 11 times. Finding ways to get Johnson the ball in space must be a priority for Maryland this season.

Entering this year, ESPN believes Johnson will lead the conference in touchdowns.

7. L.J. Scott, Michigan State

2016 stats: 184 carries, 994 yards and six touchdowns

In 2015, Scott looked like a future star as freshman. But as a sophomore last year, Scott suffered an up-and-down season.

He lost reps to Gerald Holmes. Scott reclaimed his featured back role over the final six games. However, by the end of last season, Scott realized he suffered a shoulder injury.

Scott got offseason surgery almost immediately after the season in January. And earlier this week, Scott has stated that he is back to full health. Expect a bounced back season from Scott in 2017.

6. Bradrick Shaw, Wisconsin

2016 stats: 88 carries, 457 yards and five touchdowns

Former high-profiled recruit Corey Clement has departed from Madison, which means Shaw could become the next underrated prospect who becomes the next great Wisconsin back.

Shaw, a redshirt freshman last year, saw his role increase as the season progressed. In the final five games, Shaw scored four times.

While Shaw has the ability to be one of the B1G’s best backs, he will have some competition for carries. Pitt transfer Chris James was a spring practice star and could upset Shaw as the Badgers’ next 1,000 yard runner. Or, they both could eclipse that mark in 2017.

5. Akrum Wadley, Iowa

2016 stats: 168 carries, 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns

Wadley split time with LeShun Daniels last year. But in big time situations, Iowa leaned on Wadley’s playmaking abilities.

 

In the upset win over Michigan and in the Outback Bowl against Florida, Wadley was the workhorse back. In those two games, Wadley carried the ball 45 times or 230 yards.

With Daniels and quarterback C.J. Beathard both gone, Wadley is expected to be the vocal point of the Hawkeyes’ offense in 2017.

4. Rodney Smith, Minnesota

2016 stats: 240 carries, 1,158 yards and 16 touchdowns

Smith is a prototypical Golden Gopher back, a workhorse.

While the Smith is the workhorse back for Minnesota, he will split time with other back Shannon Brooks.

New head coach P.J. Fleck will lean heavily on Smith this year. Last year at Western Michigan, the Broncos ran the ball 45 times a game. And over the last three seasons, Fleck’s team ran an average of 38 times per game. Given the situation at quarterback and wide receiver, expect Smith to be even more productive in 2017.

3. Mike Weber, Ohio State

2016 stats: 182 carries, 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns

Weber performed admirably replacing Ezekiel Elliott last year.

After averaging six yards per carry and becoming just the third freshman back in Ohio State history to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark, Weber earn B1G Freshman of the Year honors.

While Weber was impressive in his first year of starting, as the progressed, his output decreased. However, expect Weber to build upon his freshman in new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson’s system.

2. Justin Jackson, Northwestern

2016 stats: 298 carries, 1,524 yards and 15 touchdowns

It is shocking that Jackson does not get more love outside of the B1G.

In three seasons, Jackson has rushed for 4,129 yards. Jackson needs 2,277 more yards to become the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher.

Now, only four rushers have ran for 2,277 yards or more in a season. So, it is doable. But to do that, Jackson would need the Wildcats to win the B1G West to get 14 games this year. Which would make Jackson’s chances reasonable to run for 2,277 yards. And if Northwestern wants to win the West, they will lean heavily on Jackson.

1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State

2016 stats: 272 carries, 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns

Barkley maybe the most explosive back in all of college football.

In his sophomore year, Barkley showcased why he is the conference’s premier running back, earning Offensive Player of the Year. Entering the 2017 season, Barkley is looking to become Penn State’s second ever Heisman winner.

His Rose Bowl performance against USC, 306 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, may be a precursor to whats to come this upcoming season.

Garrett Kroeger