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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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Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 53-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 53-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

The University of Tennessee has high expectations heading into the 2016 season, as they are currently ranked ninth in the preseason AP Poll. While the Volunteers are a solid team all around, their brightest star rests in their backfield. Junior running back Jalen Hurd is a beast of a back, and could be in for a very special season.

As a senior at Beech (TN) Senior High School, Hurd injured his shoulder, limiting him to only one game. In his junior year, Hurd ran for an incredible 3,357 yards, scoring 43 touchdowns. A star in track as well, Hurd was such a legend at Beech that they retired his No. 18 when he graduated.

The last time America saw Hurd, the then-sophomore was running for 130 yards and a touchdown in the Volunteers’ 45-6 Outback Bowl win over Northwestern. It was the culmination of an incredible season for the star running back, who scored three touchdowns in the season opener against Ball State.

During the 2015 season, Hurd broke the 100-yard mark five times, and rushed for 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The 2016 season is sure to be a big one for Hurd, who is a preseason First-Team All-SEC choice. He is playing in arguably the toughest conference in all of college football, so to be a preseason all-conference choice is quite an honor. Hurd is also on the watch list for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards, so the pressure is on.

He has incredible speed and size, and is built perfectly for the NFL game.

Next: 11. James Conner, University of Pittsburgh

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