While the conference returns zero 1,000-yard rushers, a few were brought in via the transfer portal. Beyond that, the 2024 SEC RB Rankings have several backs posied to crack the millennium mark. But who are the best of the best?
SEC 2024 RB Rankings
10) Ulysses Bentley IV, Ole Miss Rebels
After shining at SMU from 2020-2021, Ulysses Bentley IV enlisted in Lane Kiffin’s high-octane roster in Mississippi. His first season ended early due to a wrist injury, but he returned to form behind Quinshon Judkins last year, rattling off 540 yards and four touchdowns on just 95 carries.
Even with Logan Diggs joining the backfield (more on him shortly), Bentley is primed to have his best season in the SEC yet.
9) Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels, Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies have quite the assortment of talented backs in 2024. Not only did they bring E.J. Smith (Emmitt Smith’s son) over from Stanford, but they returned their top three backs from last season: Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels, and Rueben Owens. Moss is the best back of the trio, standing at a sturdy 6’0″ and 210 pounds.
Yet, he missed time with a hamstring injury, allowing Amari Daniels to showcase his speed out of the backfield. Their playstyles complement each other and should lead to another productive season for both backs.
8) Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas had five backs record 30+ carries, with none of them topping 325 yards. Sam Pittman and Co. hope to change that in 2024 by adding Ja’Quinden Jackson from Utah. He entered college as a four-star dual-threat with the Longhorns before leaving for the Utes and switching to running back full-time.
Jackson flashed his ability from the position in 2022, rushing for 531 yards and nine scores on 78 carries. He then led the team in 2023, taking 161 attempts for 797 yards and four TDs while battling an ankle injury for most of the year. Another offseason to hone his craft and return to 100% should prove dangerous for SEC defenses.
7) Marcus Carroll and Nate Noel, Missouri Tigers
Cody Schrader and his 1,600 rushing yards are off to the NFL, forcing Missouri to dip into the transfer portal for reinforcements. The result? The acquisition of two star Sun Belt RBs: Georgia State’s Marcus Carroll and Appalachian State’s Nate Noel.
MORE: 2024 SEC Power Rankings
Carroll ran for 1,350 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and is built for between-the-tackle yardage. Meanwhile, the 5’10” and 190-pound Noel provides a change of pace with his game-altering speed, averaging 5.9 yards per carry across four seasons and 547 attempts. Either could’ve produced for Missouri, but a combination of the two could be lethal.
6) Logan Diggs, Ole Miss Rebels
For the third consecutive season, Logan Diggs will suit up for a new team. To his credit, he has been effective at both of his previous stops.
- Notre Dame (2021): 165-820-4 rushing line
- LSU (2022): 119-653-7
Even when splitting carries with the returning Ulysses Bentley IV, Diggs should see more work than he did as the lead back at LSU due to Judkins’ transfer to Ohio State, resulting in even more fireworks.
5) Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee’s rushing attack receives less attention than its passing counterpart, but the Vols have been efficient on the ground. Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small’s departures vacate 231 carries, and Dylan Sampson should be able to add a good amount of that onto his 106-carry plate from last season.
Serving in a backup role as a true freshman and sophomore, Sampson has compiled 1,001 yards and 13 TDs on 164 carries (6.1 average). He should surpass that production in his first year as the unquestioned starter.
4) Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida Gators
With Trevor Etienne out, it’s Montrell Johnson Jr.’s backfield in 2024. The senior back is no stranger to filling stat sheets, as he has rushed for 800+ yards and 5+ TDs in each of the last three seasons (the last two at Florida and the first at Louisiana).
A 217-pound back with a low center of gravity at 5’10”, Johnson churns through contact and even showcased his receiving ability last year, taking 30 receptions for 236 and a score. Plus, his ball security isn’t a question (just two career fumbles on 469 carries).
3) Raheim Sanders, South Carolina Gamecocks
Injuries derailed Raheim “Rocket” Sanders’ 2023 campaign, but he’s just one season removed from torching SEC defenses to the tune of 1,466 yards and 10 TDs.
Shane Beamer is coming off the worst of his three seasons at South Carolina. Yet, with the physically gifted LaNorris Sellers set to start under center and Sanders in the backfield, the offense could explode in 2024.
2) Jarquez Hunter, Auburn Tigers
All Jarquez Hunter has done in his three-year career is produce. Earning more playing time each season, he has generated 2,177 yards and 17 scores on 352 carries — that’s 6.2 yards per attempt! Even more impressive is the fact that he posted those numbers behind a middling offensive line against SEC defenses.
Hunter is also good for roughly 15 catches, 130 yards, and a score as a receiver and holds up well in pass protection. What can’t he do?
1) Trevor Etienne, Georgia Bulldogs
Although Montrell Johnson kept Trevor Etienne at No. 2 on the depth chart, the true junior has all the tools to be the No. 1 back on the 2024 SEC RB Rankings. Now, the elephant in the room is his recent DUI arrest, which could result in a suspension from the team.
KEEP READING: SEC Changes Coming, But Conference Maintains Eight-Game Format in 2025
However, if he is on the field for the Bulldogs, Etienne will take every hole the offensive line gives him and turn it into a big play. He turned 249 carries into 1,472 yards and 14 TDs across two seasons behind Florida’s line.
The sky’s limit with a full workload in Georgia’s offense that generated two 750+ yard and 13+ TD backs in Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton last season.
2024 SEC RB Rankings | 11-20
11) Gavin Sawchuk, Oklahoma
12) CJ Baxter, Texas
13) Samuel Franklin, Oklahoma
14) Chip Trayanum, Kentucky
15) Oscar Adaway and Jawarn Howell, South Carolina
16) Jaydon Blue, Texas
17) Josh Williams, LSU
18) Justice Haynes and Jamarion Miller, Alabama
19) Rueben Owens and E.J. Smith, Texas A&M
20) Seth Davis and Jeffery Pittman, Mississippi State
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!