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SEC Football: Ranking the Top 10 Running Backs entering 2023 season

By Elliot Reeder

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 12: Quinshon Judkins #4 of the Mississippi Rebels carries the ball during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 12: Quinshon Judkins #4 of the Mississippi Rebels carries the ball during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

6. Trevor Etienne – Florida

2022 Stats: 118 carries, 719 rushing yards, 9 receptions, 66 receiving yards, 6 total TD’s

It was a very strong freshman season in 2022 for Trevor Etienne. The 2022 four-star recruit, and brother of former Clemson star and now NFL running back Travis Etienne, was a key cog in Gainesville in his first year on campus. Etienne was sixth in the SEC in yards per carry last season at 6.1, while more-or-less being 1A and 1B in the Gators backfield with Montrell Johnson.

I think Etienne is one of the most talented backs in the SEC, and could be following in his brother’s footsteps as a future high-draft pick. I predict that Etienne will get more carries this season (maybe in the 130-150 range), but it will still likely be a split-backfield for the Gators. However, Etienne will likely be one of the best RB’s in the conference. Etienne was recently named preseason third team All-SEC.

5. Kendall Milton – Georgia

2022 Stats: 85 carries, 592 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 64 receiving yards, 9 total TD’s

It has been a bit of an up-and-down career for Milton (mainly due to injuries), but he seems well-positioned for a breakout 2023 season. The former top 100 recruit is coming off a year in which he averaged a very impressive 7 yards per carry while serving as the #3 guy in Georgia’s loaded backfield. The previously mentioned Edwards, “The Robinson’s” (Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson), and a returning from injury Andrew Paul will all compete with Milton for carries in Athens, which could potentially limit his overall numbers. Even if that is the case to an extent, Milton led the SEC a year ago in yards per carry which shows his talent and efficiency. Milton was named preseason second team All-SEC as the SEC media expects him to breakout. For his career, Milton has totals of 176 carries, 1,049 rushing yards, 8 receptions, 91 receiving yards, and 10 total TD’s.

Georgia has often used a committee approach to their backfield under Kirby Smart. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel both had 150+ carries in 2016 and 2017 (with D’Andre Swift (81) and Brian Herrien (61) both having over 60 carries as well in 2017). D’Andre Swift (163) and Elijah Holyfield (159) both had 150+ in 2018 as well. Swift (196), Herrien (103), and Zamir White (78) all had elevated rush totals in 2019. White (160) and James Cook (113) both had over 100 in 2021. Then Kenny McIntosh (149), Edwards (139), and Milton (86) all had over 80 carries in 2022. I expect that approach to continue for the Dawgs in 2023. It would not surprise me if Milton has ~150 carries this season, Edwards has ~120, and then the other three all compete for carries as well.

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