Four of the top 10 returning running backs in college football are from the SEC, according to the Pro Football Focus, which should surprise no one.
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I would submit that any of our top 4 backs, if made the work horse (given 25-30 carries a game) would be on the Heisman watchlist. McIntosh is the most complete and, I think, has the highest ceiling. McIntosh is that perfect mix of Chubb and Michel. Milton is right there, too - he is Barry Sanders with size. White and Cook, with more reps, would each cruise to 120 yds per game . . . especially with the upcoming schedule.
IF RBU is in question, it isn't because of the roster. Play calling or scheme or whatever. Not the backs.
I, apparently with many others, feel like McIntosh is our best back, at least in terms of having that "take it to the house" via the run/ pass catching ability. Milton is a beast who could emerge as the go-to guy. He certainly has the size and speed to be the type guy that just wears defenses down, if he was given the ball 20-25 times a game. The thing is that's not going to be our offense moving forward. I could even see a scenario where Milton transfers after this season if he isn't given considerably more touches this year. Edwards the same way. Great ground and pound guy. Kirby will have to do a masterful job at determining who he can't afford to let transfer-get away/please wait one more year and your time will come.
Let's face it, we have many good to very good backs, but (at the moment) not one that is the proverbial "game changer"-we can't afford to lose this guy.
I thought about Kerryon Johnson when commenting below. That guy was someone I hated to see slip through the d-line, he was the difference maker in Auburn's win over us and at least some of the reason we beat them in the SECC game when he was hurting. Auburn didn't have a plug and play guy behind him. What team would? He was special. We don't, as of right this second, have that guy. I would love for someone to emerge that is that much better than the herd.
Nothing wrong with having a stable of very adequate backs. I just want one guy that is a cut above the rest to be the difference maker. The guy that teams go, "we have to stop this guy", or else. But that's just me. It will all work it's way out on the field in summer practice and on the playing field this fall. Go Dawgs!
