CFW Preseason 2023 - The Top Running Backs and Other Positions

 CFW Preseason 2023 – The Top Running Backs and Other Positions

Michigan and the Big Ten are

loaded with good running backs

 

Michigan has Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Combined, they accounted for 2,454 rushing yards last season. Ohio State has TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. Together, they tallied 2,073 yards last year. The Big Ten, along with Corum, Edwards, Henderson and Williams, also has Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen and Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton. Combined, those two rushed for 2,303 yards last season. The Big Ten has six of the top ten running backs in the country.

 

The Running Backs – 2023

 

As the 2023 season nears, four running backs are outdistancing all the others with preseason accolades. Surprise, surprise, two of the four aren’t from the Big Ten. They are from the SEC. But the other two are from the Big Ten.

 

Leading the way, among the four top running backs, is Michigan senior Blake Corum (5-8, 210). Last year, Corum rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Better yet, he averaged 121.9 yards a game. Following Corum is Ole Miss sophomore Quinshon Judkins (5-11, 210). In 2022, Judkins rushed for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards a carry. He averaged 120.5 yards a game.

 

The other two top-four running backs behind Corum and Judkins are Wisconsin junior Braelon Allen (6-2, 240) and Junior Braelon Allen and Arkansas junior Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (6-2, 237). Last season, Allen rushed for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards a carry. He averaged 103.5 yards a game. Sanders finished the season rushing for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He averaged 111.0 yards per game.

 

Now let’s take a look at the other exciting running backs in the Power Five conferences.

 

ACC

 

The two best running backs in the ACC are Clemson junior Will Shipley (5-11, 205) and Florida State junior Trey Benson (6-1, 221). In 2022, Shipley rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards a carry. Benson rushed for 990 yards, while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

 

Two other running backs with potential in the ACC are Boston College senior Pat Garwo (5-9, 208) and Miami junior Henry Parrish (5-10, 190).

 

Big 12

 

The star running back in the Big 12 is Kansas junior Devin Neal (5-11, 210). Neal accumulated 1,090 yards rushing last year. Right behind Neal is Baylor sophomore Richard Reese (5-9, 175). Reese rushed for 992 yards and 14 touchdowns.

 

An interesting running back in the Big 12 who made an impressive debut last year is West Virginia sophomore C.J. Donaldson (6-2, 239). Donaldson averaged 6.0 yards a carry as a freshman last year.

 

Big Ten

 

As we mentioned earlier, the Big Ten is loaded with good running backs. We’ve already talked about two of them – Blake Corum and Braelon Allen.  Here’s three more who are right up there with Corum and Allen.

 

The first of the three is Penn State sophomore Nicholas Singleton (6-0, 228). Last year, Singleton rushed for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards a carry. Following Singleton is Ohio State junior TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson rushed for 1,248 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Then there is Michigan junior Donovan Edwards. Edwards rushed for 991 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards a carry.

 

Three more to keep an eye on are Ohio State senior Miyan Williams (5-9, 225). Williams averaged 7.2 yards per carry in 2022. Also, Maryland sophomore Roman Hemby (6-0, 200) and Nebraska senior Anthony Grant (5-11, 200).

 

Pac-12

 

The Pac-12 has three good running backs at preseason. Leading the three is Oregon junior Bucky Irving (5-10, 194). Last season, Irving rushed for 1,58 yards, averaging 6.8 yards a carry.

 

The other two are Oregon State sophomore Damien Martinez (6-0, 230) and California sophomore Jaydn Ott (6-0, 200). Martinez rushed for 982 yards, averaging 6.1 yards a carry in 2022.

 

SEC

 

In addition to Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss and Raheim Sanders of Arkansas, the SEC has five more running backs worth watching. The five include Georgia senior Kendall Milton (6-1, 220) and Florida junior Montrell Johnson (5-11, 218). Milton averaged 7.0 yards a carry in 2022.

 

The other three top backs are Alabama senior Jase McClellan (5-11, 212), Kentucky senior Ray Davis (5-11, 216) and Tennessee junior Jaylen Wright (5-11, 205). Wright averaged 6.0 yards a carry last year.

 

Independents

 

Notre Dame is expecting big things this year from junior Audric Estime (5-11, 227). In 2022, Estime rushed for 920 yards, averaging 5.9 yards a carry.

 

 

The Group of Five conferences have some talented running backs.

 

AAC

 

The AAC’s two best running backs appear to be UTSA sophomore Kevorian Barnes (5-9, 215) and Florida Atlantic senior Larry McCammon (5-11, 204). Barnes averaged 6.3 yards a carry last year.

 

C-USA

 

The best runner in Conference USA at preseason is Louisiana Tech sophomore Marquis Crosby (5-10, 201).

 

MAC

 

The Mid-American Conference has a trio of excellent running backs. They are Ball State junior Marquez Cooper (5-8, 184), Toledo junior Jaquez Stuart (5-9, 180) and Eastern Michigan senior Samson Evans (6-0, 218). Cooper, a transfer from Kent State, rushed for 1,331 yards last year for the Golden Flashes. Evans tallied 1,166 yards last season.

 

MWC

 

The top running back in the Mountain West Conference is Boise State senior George Holani (5-11, 208). Holani rushed for 1,157 yards last season.

 

Sun Belt

 

The Sun Belt has a slew of good running backs, but the best of the bunch looks like Southern Miss junior Frank Gore (5-8, 195). Last year, Gore rushed for 1,382 yards and nine touchdowns.

 

Behind Gore are Marshall junior Rasheen Ali (6-0, 210) and South Alabama senior La’Damian Webb (5-7, 208). Webb rushed for 1,063 yards last season. Ali missed most of last season due to an injury, but he rushed for 1,401 yards in 2021.

 

Also, keep an eye on Troy junior Kimani Vidal (5-8, 218) and Appalachian State senior Nate Noel (5-10, 185). Vidal rushed for 1,132 yards last year.

 

TT’s Top 10 Favorite Running Backs at Preseason

 

1.      Blake Corum – Michigan

2.      Braelon Allen – Wisconsin

3.      Quinshon Judkins – Ole Miss

4.      Will Shipley – Clemson

5.      Damien Martinez – Oregon State

6.      La’Damian Webb – South Alabama

7.      George Holani – Boise State

8.      Donovan Edwards – Michigan

9.      Devin Neal – Kansas

10.  Kevorian Barnes – UTSA

 

And I also like:

 

Miyan Williams – Ohio State; Bucky Irving – Oregon; Raheim Sanders – Arkansas; Rasheen Ali – Marshall; TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State; Frank Gore – Southern Miss; Nicholas Singleton – Penn State; Montrell Johnson – Florida; Jaquez Stuart – Toledo, and C.J. Donaldson – West Virginia.

 

 

The Other Positions – 2023

 

Wide Receivers

 

The wide receiver has become the most exciting player on the field and the most popular position among the players. It’s going to be exciting in Columbus and Seattle this fall. Ohio State has two of the top four receivers and Washington has two of the top six receivers.

 

The four top and most exciting wide receivers this year are Ohio State junior (6-4, 205) Marvin Harrison (77 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns), Washington senior (6-3, 211) Rome Odunze (75, 1145, 7), Ohio State junior (6-1, 205) Emeka Egbuka (74, 1151, 10) and Texas junior (6-1, 164) Xavier Worthy (60, 760, 9).

 

Just behind those four are USC junior (6-0, 180) Dorian Singer (66,1015, 6), Washington junior (6-1, 189) Jalen McMillan (79, 1098, 9) and Florida State junior (6-7, 240) Johnny Wilson (45, 879, 5).

 

Two more of the best receivers are LSU junior (6-1, 199) Malik Nabers (72, 1017, 3) and Western Kentucky junior (5-11, 210) Malachi Corley (101, 1295, 11). And we can’t forget Ole Miss senior Zakhari Franklin who transferred to Ole Miss from UTSA during the offseason.

 

Five other receivers to keep an eye on this season are South Carolina senior Juice Wells (6-1, 210), Arizona senior Jacob Cowing (5-11, 175), Vanderbilt junior Will Sheppard (6-3, 195), Oregon junior Troy Franklin (6-3, 178) and Colorado State senior Tony Horton (6-2, 180).

 

Tight Ends

 

The best tight end in the country is Georgia junior Brock Bowers (6-4, 230). Three other top tight ends are Syracuse junior Oronde Gadsden (6-5, 218), Texas junior Ja’Tavion Sanders (6-4, 241), Utah senior Brant Kuithe (6-2, 220) and LSU sophomore Mason Taylor (6-5, 245).

 

Centers

 

The five best centers in the country are West Virginia junior Zach Frazier (6-3, 310), Georgia junior Sedrick Van Pran (6-4, 310), Arkansas senior Beaux Limmer 6-5, 306), Michigan senior Drake Nugent (6-2, 308) and USC senior Justin Dedich (6-2, 305).

 

Offensive Linemen (Guards and Tackles)

 

The Big Ten leads the country with the best offensive linemen and Michigan leads the Big Ten with senior Zak Zinter (6-6, 315) and senior Trevor Keegan (6-6, 305). Also from the Big Ten are Ohio State junior Donovan Jackson (6-4, 320) and Penn State junior Olu Fashanu (6-6, 323).

 

The ACC has three excellent offensive linemen. They are Miami (Florida) junior Javion Cohen (6-4, 305), Boston College Christian Mahogany (6-3, 333) and Duke junior Graham Barton (6-6, 306).

 

The Big 12 and the SEC have two good offensive linemen each. From the Big 12 are Kansas State senior Cooper Beebe (6-4, 332) and Texas sophomore Kelvin Banks (6-4, 318). Representing the SEC are Alabama junior J.C. Latham (6-6, 335) and LSU sophomore Will Campbell (6-6, 325).

 

Three more top linemen are Connecticut senior Christian Haynes (6-3, 310), Notre Dame junior Joe Alt (6-8, 315) and Oregon State junior Tailese Fuaga (6-6, 325).

 

And finally, Georgia junior Tate Ratledge (6-6, 315), Utah junior Keaton Bills (6-4, 319),    Iowa State senior Jarrod Hufford (6-5, 314), Wisconsin junior Jack Nelson (6-7, 305) and Ole Miss sophomore Micah Pettus (6-7, 360).

 

Defensive Linemen (Ends and Tackles)

 

On the defensive line – ends and tackles – the Big Ten is stacked with some outstanding defensive linemen. They are Ohio State junior J.T. Tuimoloau (6-4, 270), Penn State junior Chop Robinson (6-3, 253) and Illinois junior Jer’Zhan Newton (6-2, 295). Also, Michigan senior Kris Jenkins (6-3, 285), Ohio State sophomore Michael Hall (6-2, 285) and Illinois junior Keith Randolph (6-5, 305).

 

The SEC counters with four top defensive linemen. They are Georgia sophomore Mykel Williams (6-5, 265), LSU sophomore Maason Smith (6-6, 310), Tennessee senior Omari Thomas (6-4, 320) and LSU junior Mekhi Wingo (6-1, 295).

 

Led by Clemson, the ACC has three excellent defensive linemen. They are Clemson senior Tyler Davis (6-2, 300), Clemson senior Ruke Orhorhoro (6-4, 295) and Florida State junior Jared Verse (6-4, 253).

 

Three more top linemen on defense are Washington junior Bralen Trice (6-4, 287), Utah junior Junior Tafuna (6-3, 204) and Cincinnati sophomore Dontay Corleone (6-2, 320).

 

And lastly, Kentucky sophomore Deone Walker (6-6, 348), UCLA senior Laiafu Lafu (6-4, 265), Duke senior DeWayne Carter (6-3, 303), and Oregon senior Brandon Dorius (6-3, 290).

 

Linebackers (Inside and Outside)

 

The SEC and the Big Ten are loaded with good linebackers – six from the SEC and five from the Big Ten. Georgia leads the SEC with two of the top linebackers. They are Georgia junior Jamon Dumas-Johnson (6-1, 245) and Georgia junior Smael Mondon (6-3, 220). The other four best from the SEC are Alabama junior Dallas Turner (6-4, 242), Missouri senior Ty’Ron Hopper 6-2, 221), LSU sophomore Harold Perkins (6-1, 220) and Mississippi State senior Nathaniel Watson (6-2, 240).

 

The five from the Big Ten are Ohio State senior Tommy Eichenberg (6-2, 239), Michigan State senior Jacoby Windmon (6-2, 250), Wisconsin senior Maema Njongmeta (6-0, 240), Penn State sophomore Abdul Carter (6-3, 249) and Michigan sophomore Junior Colson (6-2, 235).

 

The ACC is healthy at the linebacker position with four good ones. They are Clemson junior Barrett Carter (6-1, 225), North Carolina senior Cedric Gray (6-2, 220), Clemson junior Jeremiah Trotter (6-0, 230) and NC State senior Payton Wilson (6-4, 242).

 

The Big 12 offers two good linebackers in Oklahoma State junior Collin Oliver (6-2, 235) and Texas senior Jaylan Ford (6-3, 236). The remaining five best are Old Dominion junior Jason Henderson (6-1, 225), Akron senior Bubba Arslanian (5-10, 215), Connecticut senior Jackson Mitchell (6-2, 233) and California senior Jackson Sirmon (6-2, 245).

 

Defensive Backs (Cornerbacks and Safeties)

 

The SEC is stacked with six talented defensive backs – cornerbacks and safeties. They are Alabama junior Kool-Aid McKinstry (6-1, 195), Georgia sophomore Malaki Starks (6-1, 205) and South Carolina sophomore Nick Emmanwori (6-4, 220). Also from the SEC are Georgia junior Javon Bullard (5-11, 180), Alabama senior Malachi Moore (6-0, 198) and Texas A&M senior Demani Richardson (6-1, 215).

 

Right behind the SEC in top defensive backs is the Big Ten. The best from the Big Ten are Iowa junior Cooper DeJean (6-1, 209), Ohio State junior Denzel Burke (6-1, 180), Michigan junior Will Johnson (6-2, 194), Penn State junior Kalen King (5-11, 190) and Ohio State senior Lathan Ransom (6-1, 205). Also, Minnesota senior Tyler Nubin (6-2, 210).

 

The ACC claims four of the nation’s top defensive backs. They are NC State junior Aydan White (6-0, 185), Florida State senior Fentrell Cypress (6-0, 182), Miami (Florida) junior Karmen Kinchens (5-11, 202) and Clemson junior Andrew Mukuba (6-0, 185).

 

Two of the best defensive backs from the Big 12 are TCU senior Josh Newton (6-0, 195) and Kansas junior Cobee Bryant (6-0, 175). The remaining best DBs in the country are Notre Dame sophomore Benjamin Morrison (6-0, 185), USC junior Calen Bullock (6-3, 190) and Utah Cole Bishop (6-2, 208).

 

The final four best DBs are Marshall senior Micah Abraham (5-10, 181), junior Toledo Quinyon Mitchell (6-0, 200), South Alabama junior Yam banks (6-1, 208) and Buffalo senior Marcus Fuqua (6-0, 195).

 

Kickers

 

The five best kickers in the country are Stanford senior Joshua Karty (6-2, 208), Alabama senior Will Reichard (6-1, 194), Wyoming junior John Hoyland (5-10, 194), Boise State senior Jonah Dalmas (5-8, 177) and Buffalo senior Alex McNulty (6-1, 230).

 

Punters

 

The nation’s six best punters at preseason are South Carolina senior Kal Kroeger (6-4, 220), Cincinnati junior Mason Fletcher (6-7, 205), Florida senior Jeremy Crawshaw (6-4, 197), San Diego State senior Jack Browning (5-11, 190), Iowa senior Tory Taylor (6-4, 230) and USC junior Eddie Czaplicki (6-1, 200).

 

That’s a complete look at the top running backs and the best players in the other positions. I’ll be back on Monday, August 21, with more preseason talk/commentary and a Week Zero forecast. Stay tuned!

 

Touchdown Tom

August 18, 2023

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