Fansided

College football rankings: Top 10 running backs of 2021

By Cody Williams

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones scores a touchdown in the first half half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin"u2019 Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones scores a touchdown in the first half half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin"u2019 Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss

A former 5-star recruit, Jerrion Ealy has played a sizeable role in the Ole Miss offense from the time he arrived in Oxford. He played in 12 games and carried the ball 104 times as a freshman in 2019 and found great success as he averaged 6.9 yards per carry while rushing for 722 yards and six touchdowns while also hauling in 20 receptions for 172 yards and another score.

In the first year with Lane Kiffin at the helm of the Rebels, though, Ealy’s efficiency dropped off slightly. In nine games, he rushed for 745 yards with nine touchdowns along with 15 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. However, he only averaged 5.1 yards per carry, down quite a bit from his big-time average in his first season with the program.

Ealy, however, is far more valuable than that might indicate. Not only did he not put the ball on the turf once last season but he’s also a return man for the Rebels, further adding to his value. And now that he has a full offseason to prepare under Kiffin and now that there are fewer pass-catching mouths to feed, the running back should be in store for a monster season.

With the ability to both be an effective and explosive runner while also performing well as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, Ealy figures to be a key cog in the Rebels offense and a player who could put up some big numbers in a prolific Ole Miss offense.