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College Football: 15 best running backs in 2016

By Brad Weiss

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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EVANSTON, IL – NOVEMBER 29: Justin Jackson #28 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half on November 29, 2014 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 47-33. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – NOVEMBER 29: Justin Jackson #28 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half on November 29, 2014 at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 47-33. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Since stepping on campus at Northwestern University, Justin Jackson has been the man at running back. As a freshman, Jackson rushed for 1,187 yards, while scoring ten touchdowns. It was just a glimpse of the damage he would do last season as a sophomore.

Despite only scoring five touchdowns, Jackson rushed for over 1,400 yards, while earning consensus Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. The speedster ran for over 100 yards in a game eight times, including going over 180 yards twice. If it hadn’t been for a rough three-game stretch against Michigan, Iowa, and Nebraska in October, he could have shattered some records.

During that stretch, Jackson ran for a combined total of 95 yards, but Northwestern is hoping a better passing game in 2016 will keep the pressure off of their junior running back.

Still, Jackson finished the season as only the fifth player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in consecutive season.

In 2016, Northwestern has a daunting schedule, including road games against Michigan State and Ohio State. The Big Ten is loaded this season, and even with all the talent in the conference, the Big Ten named him one of the 11 players to watch this season.

Jackson is also on the Doak Walker and Maxwell Award watch list, as he is known nationally as one of the best running backs in all of college football. He will have to earn his yards with the Wildcats schedule in 2016, but he has the speed and elusiveness to do just that.

Next: 12. Jalen Hurd, University of Tennessee

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