Last week, we spoke about the top five quarterbacks in the conference. Now, lets head to the running back position, a position that returns a lot of talent and could be one of the most experienced positions in the C-USA. It was tough to rank but let us give it a shot.
#1 Ito Smith (Southern Miss)
Smith was on this list last year and certainly produced at Southern Miss. He was the lead back that recorded a league high 265 carries for 1,459 yards and 17 touchdowns. Now, he returns as the go-to guy once again, as the senior returns looking for his third straight 1,000 yard season. What is so good about Smith as well is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, recording over 40 catches the past two seasons.
#2 Ray Lawry (Old Dominion)
Lawry was one of seven backs that ran over 1,000 yards last season and he will again look to be the guy again to produce. Lawry though will battle for time with junior running back Jeremy Cox, who recorded 129 carries last year, compared to 200 for Lawry. However, both received touches and produced touchdowns (24 total) and should be a dynamic duo this coming season, as they look to replace their starting quarterback.
#3 Jarred Craft (Louisiana Tech)
Craft is a tough pick just because of the offense the Bulldogs run but he still produces on the ground and in the passing game. With a new quarterback coming into play, Craft will be depended on stepping up in the run game as well as the passing game. He actually is the leading “receiver” returning this season for Louisiana Tech, so he could see his numbers increase.
#4 Jeffrey Wilson (North Texas)
Wilson produced in the redzone, scoring 14 touchdowns last year for North Texas. The Mean Green do lose their backup back in Willy Ivery but return key components for Wilson to produce, including three starters on the offensive line. Wilson could be a sneaky pick but continue to watch him this year, as North Texas hopes to build off a 5-win season.
#5 Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic)
This might have been the toughest pick of them all with so many coming into consideration. But you can’t get past production and that is what Singletary did last year, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, rushed for 1,021 yards, and found the endzone 12 times. However, he will again split time with Greg Howell, who wasn’t far behind him and had more attempts than Singletary last year.
Side Notes:
Going down the list, one might not realize just how many dynamic duos teams have in the backfield. Florida Atlantic returns Singletary and Howell, both who rushed for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. Old Dominion is led by Lawry but Cox also rushed for 732 yards and 13 touchdowns. UTSA returns a pair of experienced backs in Jarveon Williams (207 carries, 900 yards) and Jalen Rhodes (155 carries, 827 yards). Even FIU has some intriguing backs that could make some noise as well. There is no doubt that the experience and talent at the running back position is deep this year in the conference.
