SEC running back rankings: Top 10 players entering 2026 season
SEC running back rankings: Top 10 players entering 2026 season
Dylan Flippo, Aggies WireTue, August 25, 2026 at 9:16 AM UTC
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After boasting five 1,000-yard running backs in 2025, the Southeastern Conference has a plethora of talented newcomers and returning veterans at the position looking to increase that total this season.
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy and Ole Miss' Kewan Lacy led the league with two of the best campaigns the conference has seen at the position in a long time. Both eclipsed 1,500 yards on the ground and more than 15 rushing touchdowns for their respective squads last year.
Meanwhile, transfers like Raleek Brown (Texas), CJ Baxter (Kentucky) and Dilin Jones (LSU) are looking to make their mark for their new teams, as they face the first nine-game schedule in SEC history.
The conference is stacked with talent at the position who give defensive coordinators nightmares on film, but there is only room for one running back on the throne.
Here are the top-10 SEC running backs entering the 2026 season:
1. Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss)
2025 statistics: 306 CAR | 1,567 YDS | 24 TD | 29 REC | 177 YDS
No Lane Kiffin? No problem for Ole Miss, who has one of the most talented running backs to ever come through the program. The First-Team All-American led the FBS with 306 carries and ranked third in the nation with 1,567 rushing yards. Lacy shattered the program record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season, while becoming just the fifth SEC player to secure at least 23 touchdowns. Lacy had the option to go to LSU with Kiffin, but he chose to stay in Oxford. A player with his talent and loyalty is difficult to find in this era of college football, which is why he ranks as the top running back on this list and one of the best players in college football.
2. Jadan Baugh (Florida)
2025 statistics: 220 CAR | 1,170 YDS | 8 TD | 33 REC | 210 YDS | 3 TD
It's been a long time since the Gators have seen a running back like Baugh running through defenders in The Swamp. The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder is one of the most explosive SEC running backs when he gets into the open field and will provide a massive boost to Jon Sumrall's first offense as the Florida head coach. Baugh's 266 rushing yards in a 40-21 victory over Florida State was the second-best performance by a Gators running back since Emmitt Smith recorded 316 yards in 1989. His talent could help propel Florida to the next level in 2026.
3. Ahmad Hardy (Missouri)
2025 statistics: 256 CAR | 1,649 YDS | 16 TD | 6 REC | 22 YDS
If it wasn't for some hiccups in his rehab recovering from a gunshot wound, Hardy could easily be tied with Lacy for the top player at the position this season. According to reports last week, the talented Missouri running back is slated for a mid-September return, but he still has yet to practice with the team during fall camp. Hardy's 16 rushing touchdowns set the program's single-season record, while his 1,649 rushing yards ranked second nationally. He also became just the second player in Mizzou's history to notch 300 rushing yards in a single contest. When at full health, Hardy is one of the best running backs in the country.
4. Raleek Brown (Texas)
2025 statistics (Arizona State): 186 CAR | 1,141 YDS | 4 TD | 34 REC | 239 YDS | 2 TD
Texas could have one of the top running back duos in college football with Hollywood Smothers and Brown, but the Arizona State transfer has made massive strides as the top running back in Austin during fall camp. Under head coach Kenny Dillingham in 2025, Brown earned All-Big 12 honors and logged the 29th 1,000-yard rushing season in program history. Alongside Smothers, the former Sun Devil could have a huge senior year in his first SEC campaign with the Longhorns.
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5. Nate Frazier (Georgia)
2025 statistics: 173 CAR | 947 YDS | 6 TD | 16 REC | 116 YDS | 1 TD
The last Georgia running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season was D'Andre Swift back in 2019, but that could change in 2026. Frazier was just 53 yards shy of reaching that mark last season as a sophomore. With another year under his belt and a much-improved offensive line, the Compton, California, native could be set for a breakout junior year. Toughness, physicality and electric open-field speed make Frazier a solidified threat to make it even further up this list by the end of the season.
6. DeSean Bishop (Tennessee)
2025 statistics: 182 CAR | 1,076 YDS | 16 TD | 15 REC | 135 YDS
Bishop was just put on scholarship at Tennessee in January of 2025, but the former walk-on played like a potential NFL Draft pick for the Vols. His 16 rushing touchdowns ranked second in the league, which was tied for sixth-most nationally. Bishop also became the third consecutive Tennessee running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. With another year in Josh Heupel's offense, the junior Knoxville native could eclipse last season's production in 2026.
7. Fluff Bothwell (Mississippi State)
2025 statistics: 142 CAR | 677 YDS | 6 TD | 14 REC | 105 YDS
While much of the hype during fall camp has been focused on Mississippi State's dual-threat quarterback, returning running back Fluff Bothwell has all the tools to be a 1,000-yard back for the Bulldogs in 2026, if the offensive line can improve. His 677 rushing yards led the team in his debut in the Maroon and White, after transferring from South Alabama. The Bulldogs bruiser isn't afraid of contact and is one of the more underrated backs in the conference.
8. Rueben Owens II (Texas A&M)
2025 statistics: 119 CAR | 639 YDS | 5 TD | 13 REC | 130 YDS
After being sidelined for the majority of his sophomore campaign due to injury in 2024, Owens bounced back and stepped up massively for the Aggies last season. The former SEC All-Freshman selection rushed for 639 yards and five touchdowns, while helping anchor Texas A&M's running back room in the program's run to the College Football Playoff. Owens was ranked as the No. 1 running back in Texas coming out of high school for a reason. Despite his solid outings last year, Owens remains one of the most underrated running backs in the nation.
9. Harlem Berry (LSU)
2025 statistics: 104 CAR | 491 YDS | 2 TD | 8 REC | 32 YDS
There is a new head coach and two new running backs joining Berry in the backfield in Baton Rouge, but it is difficult not to give the talented sophomore the majority of the touches after his impressive freshman campaign. He made just six starts at the end of last year and finished third among all freshmen in total rushing yards. Berry will be competing for reps alongside Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones, who has made waves during LSU's fall camp as one of the best-looking backs in the room. Jones brings size and physicality, but Berry has the youth and better upside.
10. CJ Baxter (Kentucky)
2025 statistics: 54 CAR | 196 YDS | 12 REC | 41 YDS | 1 TD
The Texas transfer has flashed in moments, but two big injuries have halted him from making a bigger impact on the gridiron. Baxter recorded just 196 rushing yards on 54 touches with the Longhorns in 2025, before suffering a hamstring injury against UTEP in Week 3. The setback prevented him from having a breakout season, which could change in 2026 if he can stay healthy. Baxter should have an opportunity to explode and display what he can bring to the table in Will Stein's offense at Kentucky.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC running back rankings: Top 10 players entering 2026 season
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