I would say elite RBs are extremely rare. There have been lots of good backs. Lots of guys who gained lots of yards. Lots of guys who won conference honors. Lots of guys who went on to NFL careers.
But ELITE running backs? As far as I can say, Tennessee has had four ELITE backs in the last 30 years.
- Charlie Garner: Would have knocked down the all-time rushing records at Tennessee, in just two years, if he hadn't shared carries w/ Stewart and Hayden. Was a threat to go the distance anytime he got his hands on the ball. Strong receiver, though he wasn't a huge component of the passing game at Tennessee.
- Chuck Webb: Bigger than Garner. Just as fast (or faster). Could run over guys, as well as through them. Great balance. Great vision. Great speed. Oh, if he'd been able to stay healthy...
- Jamal Lewis: How could a guy that big have that much speed? Powerful guy w/ off-the-charts balance. His game against UGA, during his freshman year, was a sight to behold. He ran over, around, and through that UGA defense.
- Jalen Hurd: Yes. This guy is elite. He might not be the first RB drafted. He might not be one of the first three RBs drafted. But when it comes to the Total Package, this guy is it. We're lucky to have him. His skill set shouldn't exist in a guy who's pushing 6'4". His vision, speed, and balance are more typical of a guy 4" shorter, and 25 lbs lighter. His power? Wow. His ability to protect, and be a real factor in the passing game? Probably the best in the country.
We've had lots of really good, even great running backs, over the last three decades. Reggie Cobb, James Stewart, Aaron Hayden, Jay Graham, Travis Henry, Travis Stephens, Cedric Houston, Gerald Riggs, Arian Foster, Monterio Hardesty, Raijon Neal...All of these guys were big time players, who went on to NFL careers of varying success.
But none of them possessed the total skill sets of the four that I listed.
But ELITE running backs? As far as I can say, Tennessee has had four ELITE backs in the last 30 years.
- Charlie Garner: Would have knocked down the all-time rushing records at Tennessee, in just two years, if he hadn't shared carries w/ Stewart and Hayden. Was a threat to go the distance anytime he got his hands on the ball. Strong receiver, though he wasn't a huge component of the passing game at Tennessee.
- Chuck Webb: Bigger than Garner. Just as fast (or faster). Could run over guys, as well as through them. Great balance. Great vision. Great speed. Oh, if he'd been able to stay healthy...
- Jamal Lewis: How could a guy that big have that much speed? Powerful guy w/ off-the-charts balance. His game against UGA, during his freshman year, was a sight to behold. He ran over, around, and through that UGA defense.
- Jalen Hurd: Yes. This guy is elite. He might not be the first RB drafted. He might not be one of the first three RBs drafted. But when it comes to the Total Package, this guy is it. We're lucky to have him. His skill set shouldn't exist in a guy who's pushing 6'4". His vision, speed, and balance are more typical of a guy 4" shorter, and 25 lbs lighter. His power? Wow. His ability to protect, and be a real factor in the passing game? Probably the best in the country.
We've had lots of really good, even great running backs, over the last three decades. Reggie Cobb, James Stewart, Aaron Hayden, Jay Graham, Travis Henry, Travis Stephens, Cedric Houston, Gerald Riggs, Arian Foster, Monterio Hardesty, Raijon Neal...All of these guys were big time players, who went on to NFL careers of varying success.
But none of them possessed the total skill sets of the four that I listed.
