The Big Ten conference has always had an abundance of talent at the running back position. You could go back only five years from today and see many running backs from the Big Ten that are shining in the NFL. Carlos Hyde, Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliot, and Saquon Barkley are just a few examples. Is there a running back in the Big Ten as talented as those players? That may be a stretch, but many teams have a running back now that has NFL potential. Here, we rank the best one from each team.
14. Christian Turner- Michigan
The Wolverines have found themselves in a situation they’re not accustomed to being in. Michigan will go into the 2019 season, unsure of who will be their starting running back. Karan Higdon had a great 2018 season, which ultimately led to him going to the NFL. We also learned from coach Harbaugh, just a few months ago, that Chris Evans, their projected starting running back for 2019, will be suspended from Michigan athletics for the year, due to academic issues. With losing talent and uncertainty in the group, Christian Turner is the next man up. The sophomore running back only had 20 rushing attempts for 95 yards in 2018. Turner reminds Michigan coaches a lot of Higdon, because of the way he plays. They hope Turner can perform like Higdon, but so much is still uncertain about Turner and his abilities. One bright side is, whoever starts for Michigan this year, will be running behind a veteran offensive line.
13. Tario Fuller- Purdue
Purdue was lucky to have a wide abundance of running back talent over the last few years. D.J Knox and Markell Jones combined for over 1,400 total rushing yards and provided numerous scores. Now that neither will be returning to the Boilermakers, it’s up to Tario Fuller and others to step up. The dual-threat running back has received very little playing time through out his career. Despite this, he’s the only Purdue running back with a start. The veteran running back is big enough to lower a shoulder, but also has soft hands, which allow him to catch swing passes out of the backfield. Fuller has been waiting his entire career at Purdue for an opportunity like this and now he has it. Fuller must prove he can produce to gain the respect of being a good Big Ten running back.
12. Maurice Washington- Nebraska
Maurice Washington looks to go in and provide consistency to the Nebraska running game this next season. As a freshman, Washington received playing time in every game, having anywhere from 3 to 14 carries. Washington was also used in the passing game quite often. Yes, Washington is young and needs to improve. One bright side to last season was Washington showed out in the passing game in Nebraska’s final game against the Iowa Hawkeyes with 7 catches and 102 yards. Washington also averaged 5.9 yards per carry, which is really good if he can keep that up next year with 150 carries or more.
11. Connor Heyward- Michigan State
Michigan state, despite being low on this list, has a running back that can handle the work load. The 6’1″, 229 pound running back stepped in and produced decent numbers last season because of an LJ Scott injury. Heyward finished with 529 yards, 5 TD’s, and 32 catches for 250 yards. Heyward did a little bit of everything last year; Lining up outside, running, catching passes out of the backfield, and more. The running back group, including Heyward, is still a very inexperienced group in the Big Ten and not as highly recruited, therefore putting them at the bottom for now. However, if Heyward improves upon his 2018 season, he can help the Spartans make some real noise in the conference.
10. Raheem Blackshear- Rutgers
Rutgers certainly believes they have a talented backfield for the 2019 season. Raheem Blackshear definitely shows the most promise. Blackshear had 586 yards rushing with 3 TD’s last season, while also reeling in 44 catches for 367 yards and 2 TD’s. He certainly is their multi-purpose back, who is now coming into his third season. There were only 2 games last season that Blackshear reached about 70 rushing yards, which is why he’s so low on this list. Look for Blackshear to get higher and more consistent numbers this season as he takes a more predominant role.
9. Mehki Sargent- Iowa
Iowa has strung together a couple of decent seasons behind their power running attack and their improved defense. It seems like Mehki Sargent has the play-making ability to help take Iowa’s offense to the next level. Sargent carried a good work load in 2018, hoping to have another season like his last. Sargent had over 150 carries for 745 yards and 9 TD’s, while also grabbing 17 receptions for 156 yards and a TD. One thing for Mehki to improve on is getting more yards per carry. Sargent will surely aim for a 1,000 yard, 10 TD season, while helping his team contend in the improving Big Ten West Division.
8. Isaiah Bowser- Northwestern
This one, I am excited to write about. Bowser came from my high school in Sidney, Ohio. My biggest wish was to be able to block for this stud of a running back when I was in high school. Isaiah may not be the fastest running back out there, but he is strong, always moves his feet, and is certainly agile. Bowser has a grind and work ethic that is hard to outwork. Last season, Bowser had to step in as Northwestern lost their starter early in the season. Bowser finished with almost 900 yards, 6 TD’s, and had a couple catches on the year also. With a starting spot secure and eyes now on him, Bowser will continue to have a giant workload and will push to continue the terrific season he had in 2018.
7. Ricky Slade- Penn State
Penn State has had Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders running out of their backfield for the past three years. One would think they would have a hard time replacing that, right? The answer is yes, but, the Nittany Lions may have the answer already. Slade was a 5 star recruit, with lots of potential. First of all, Slade ended last year averaging 5.7 yards a carry and had 6 TD’s on 45 runs. Slade could benefit greatly as a result of more touches. Despite his limited play time, Slade has all the tools and abilities to show he could be one of the best running backs in the Big Ten.
6. Mohamed Ibraham- Minnesota
Minnesota was fortunate to have two good running backs last year. One was injured early in the season, but the other shined. Ibraham came in as a freshman and lit up the stat sheet. Ibraham had 1,160 yards, 9 TD’s, and had a 5.7 yards per carry average. Although he was not used in the passing game, Ibraham averaged 116 yards a game last season, including a breakout game against Georgia Tech, where he had 224 yards and 2 TD. Ibraham could be the hidden gem to helping Minnesota make some noise in the Big Ten.
5. Anthony McFarland- Maryland
Anthony McFarland had plenty of big games last year. Most football fans remember how he shredded the Ohio State defense, running for 298 yards and scoring 2 TD’s. McFarland’s speed and acceleration, both inside and outside the lines, have impressed numerous coaches, and his play-making ability ultimately is why he is so high on this list. The numbers over the season were not very consistent, but McFarland had 2 games of 100+ yards and 2 games of 200+ yards. If McFarland can become involved a little in the passing game and becomes more consistent, he can be a deadly threat.
4. Stevie Scott- Indiana
Not many times does a running back help stabilize an offense in today’s quarterback oriented football planning. In times where Indiana needed some help generating offense, Scott was the guy. Scott finished the season with 1,137 yards and 10 TD’s, both being top 55 in all of the NCAA. The best thing about Stevie Scott is he had a very consistent 2018 season. He reached 100+ yards in over half his games last year and averaged 5 yards a carry. He did all of this, while only being a freshman, so he has much more to show Indiana fans.
3. Reggie Corbin- Illinois
In a season where the Fighting Illini didn’t have much to rally around, Reggie Corbin certainly gave them some glimmer of hope. With less than 130 rushing attempts, Corbin had over 1,000 yards rushing, 9 TD’s, plus 16 catches for 176 yards as well. Corbin is a great dual threat runner that can beat you so long as you give him room to run. In Illinois, where nothing is certain with the program, the running back spot is one of the only few spots that is almost guaranteed to show success with Corbin as the starter.
2. J.K Dobbins- Ohio State
From the moment J.K Dobbins stepped on the field for Ohio State, everyone knew this kid would be special, and boy has he been. J.K Dobbins was a 5 star recruit, who could beat you in both the passing and running game. Dobbins has patience, both in the open field, and when finding gaps in the offensive line. Dobbins is also a physical runner. Even though he isn’t the fastest running back, he has great agility. Dobbins was forced to share snaps with Mike Weber last year, but that didn’t stop him from leaving his mark last year. He ran for 1,053 yards and 10 TDs while also catching 26 passes for 263 yards and 3 TD’s. With Weber now gone, look for Dobbins to possibly have his best year yet at Ohio State.
1. Jonathan Taylor- Wisconsin
Anyone that knows anything about running backs knows that this one is a no-brainer. Johnathon Taylor had a giant workload last season, running the ball over 300 times for almost 2,200 yards and racking up 16 TD’s. Taylor also had a handful of catches to compliment that. With his size, speed, and strength, he is poised for another spectacular year. Taylor may have been the #1 running back taken in last year’s draft, had he been eligible. Taylor has the mechanics and the numbers to possibly make a run for a Heisman run next year.
Conclusion
Competition will be at an all-time high this season for these running backs, including those who will be lined up in a back-up role. There are many running backs this year that, theoretically, just need snaps to show how good they really are and that they deserve to have their names brought up as best in the conference. There are many young names out there that could be in store for a breakout 2019 season.
