RB Rankings: McGuire Mania

RUNNING BACK

1. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, JR

Stanford coaches were candid that McCaffrey (6-0, 202) would step into the lead RB role last year, but surely not even they expected McCaffrey to be as good as he was in 2015. McCaffrey had what might have been the best season in Stanford history, running for 2,019 yards (6.0 YPC) and eight TDs while catching 45 passes for 645 yards and five touchdowns, adding one kick return and one punt return touchdown. That's with touchdown vulture Remound Wright stealing 13 TDs on just 83 carries. Wright graduated, so McCaffrey could exceed 20 touchdowns from scrimmage in 2016.

2. Jeremy McNichols, Boise State, JR

McNichols' 2015 season might have made him a Heisman finalist in other seasons, but 1,800 yards and 26 TDS from scrimmage apparently isn't worth what it used to be. Dominant as a runner and receiver, McNichols (5-9, 207) finished with 1,337 rushing yards (5.6 YPC) and 20 TDs while posting 51 catches, 460 yards and six TDs. McNichols is a rare high-volume, high-efficiency player with an all-around skill set in a high-tempo, high-scoring offense. If sophomore QB Brett Rypien improves in his second year as starter, McNichols' scoring rate could reach an even higher level.

3. Royce Freeman, Oregon, JR

Freeman somehow followed his outstanding 2014 true freshman season with a resoundingly better 2015. Playing in 13 games, he ran for 1,838 yards (6.5 YPC) and 17 TDs while catching 26 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. Especially impressive, Freeman posted those numbers even as the offense around him sputtered while QB Vernon Adams dealt with a broken finger. Despite his highly explosive production, Freeman is actually a bulldozer of a back at 230 pounds, so he's built to withstand the enormous workload he'll take on for the third year in a row.

4. Elijah McGuire, Louisiana-Lafayette, SR

If you could guarantee a fully healthy season from McGuire (5-11, 198), he'd make a serious case to be ranked first overall. McGuire ran for 1,047 yards (5.0 YPC) and 13 TDs last year while catching 34 passes for 304 yards and three more scores, yet his season was a distinct disappointment. Injury and team-wide dysfunction conspired to "limit" McGuire to those numbers – he's capable of much more. McGuire demonstrated legendary efficiency in 2013 and 2014 with 2,127 yards and 22 TDs on just 269 carries (7.9 YPC) while catching 67 passes for 852 yards and five touchdowns.

5. Leonard Fournette, LSU, JR

Fournette (6-1, 230) arrived at LSU with unfairly high expectations, but through two seasons he's had no trouble meeting those expectations. Fournette's 1,034-yard, 10-TD freshman season in 2014 was just a warmup – he improved to 1,953 yards (6.5 YPC) and 22 TDs in 2015, adding 19 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown. Last year may have represented the best-case scenario – he exceeded 200 yards in one third of his games in 2015 – but the floor is incredibly high, too. LSU is a favorite to win the national championship, and Fournette is the engine of the offense.

6. Ray Lawry, Old Dominion, JR

Lawry (5-10, 201) might not have much national recognition, but he's poised to post enormous numbers. He has 2,083 yards (6.4 YPC) and 27 TDs on his 328 career carries, yet his workload in his two seasons at Old Dominion were limited by a backup role in 2014 and team-wide injury troubles in 2015. The Old Dominion offense should bounce back after QB instability derailed last season, and Lawry's elite efficiency suggests he'll capitalize with a career year in such an event. Last year's 1,288 yards and 12 TDs from scrimmage look close to the worst-case scenario.

7. Larry Rose III, New Mexico State, JR

Rose (5-11, 184) doesn't get nearly enough credit for his 2015 season, which saw him total 1,657 yards (6.9 YPC) and 14 TDs on the ground while catching 30 passes for 283 yards and two TDs in 12 games. He did that despite playing Florida and Mississippi in two of those games. That production is likely the best-case scenario for Rose – it's not common for runners to maintain an average of nearly seven yards per carry in a high-volume workhorse role – but the fact that Rose totaled 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage in 2014 shows last year was no fluke.

8. Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State, SR

The active career rushing yardage and touchdowns leader in the FBS, Pumphrey (5-9, 180) has already enjoyed an incredibly successful career at San Diego State, boasting 4,272 yards (6.0 YPC) and 45 TDs on the ground in 40 games, adding 72 receptions for 808 yards and five TDs. He's taken on a gigantic workload for a back who's played most of his career below 180 pounds, but Pumphrey showed no signs of slowing in 2015, running for 1,653 yards (5.3 YPC) and 17 touchdowns in 14 games, adding 27 receptions for 414 yards and three touchdowns.

9. Dalvin Cook, Florida State, JR

A hamstring injury dogged Cook (5-11, 206) for much of 2015, and his multiple shortened games might bitterly remain in the minds of those who owned him. Still, shortened games or not, it's hard to complain about 1,935 yards and 20 TDs from scrimmage. Cook's average of 7.4 YPC is almost certainly unsustainable – he averaged 5.9 yards per carry in 2014 – but Cook is clearly an elite talent, and perhaps the best running back in the country. Florida State's modest offensive tempo and the potential of a scaled back workload to preserve his health hinders his upside.

10. Justin Stockton, Texas Tech, JR

Even if he is boom-or-bust, Stockton (5-10, 192) mostly looks like a box car full of powder kegs – the emphasis is certainly on the "boom" factor. An immensely explosive backup the last two years, Stockton is set to take over as Texas Tech's lead RB after 763 yards (7.0 YPC) and nine TDs the last two years. Stockton totaled 708 yards and 11 TDs from scrimmage last year, and his workload should more than double now that previous starter DeAndre Washington is in the NFL. With career averages of 7.0 yards per carry and 12.3 yards per catch, Stockton's upside is tremendous.

11. Corey Clement, Wisconsin, SR

Widely projected as a top-3 fantasy back heading into the 2015 season, Clement (5-11, 219) presents a clear buy-low opportunity with top-5 fantasy upside at the position. A sports hernia and disciplinary issues conspired to wreck what was supposed to be a Heisman-contending showcase for NFL scouts in 2015, and Clement ended the year with just 221 yards (4.6 YPC) and five touchdowns in four games. With health on his side and a clean slate heading into 2016, a 20-touchdown season could be within reach for Clement.

12. Saquon Barkley, Penn State, SO

While Clement might be the best fantasy back to target in the Big Ten, there's little doubt Barkley is the conference's most talented RB in real football terms. Barkley has the look of a future first-round NFL pick thanks to his pro-ready size (5-11, 219) and elite athletic measurables. Despite playing with a poor passing game, Barkley ran for 1,076 yards (5.9 YPC) and seven TDs in 11 games last year, adding 20 receptions for 161 yards and a score. Barkley is a dynamite talent who produces even when the surrounding circumstances aren't ideal.

13. Anthony Wales, Western Kentucky, SR

If it weren't for Western Kentucky's odd obsession with giving red-zone carries to D'Andre Ferby, Wales (5-10, 195) would likely be ranked in the top 5. He's the most explosive yet of a Western Kentucky RB tradition that previously featured Bobby Rainey, Antonio Andrews and Leon Allen. A preseason knee injury derailed the early part of 2015, but he returned to run for 1,086 yards (7.1 YPC) and nine TDs while catching 27 passes for 225 yards and two scores. Wales should be downgraded if Allen returns from an knee injury, but as of press time his career was on shaky ground.

14. Matt Breida, Georgia Southern, SR

The nation's most explosive ground producer, Breida (5-10, 185) is unmatched for his rushing explosiveness. The last two years he has 3,094 yards (8.3 YPC) and 34 touchdowns in 25 games, and he ought to have something similar in store for 2016. Coach Willie Fritz's departure to Tulane should not be a major concern, as new coach Tyson Summers said Georgia Southern would not alter its option offense. If that's the case, Breida should be primed for another enormous season – he clearly can't be stopped in this role.

15. Matt Dayes, North Carolina State, JR

Dayes (5-9, 213) is a star waiting to happen, and he was well on his way to that distinction before a turf toe injury ended his 2015 season in the eighth game. Prior to that, Dayes ran for 865 yards (6.5 YPC) and 12 TDs on 134 carries, adding 24 receptions for 172 yards. Dayes is one of the most skilled pass-catching RBs in the nation, and now that he's at full health he should have an opportunity to let his dual-threat skill set show up. The main concern with Dayes is his surrounding offense – the loss of quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the NFL could hurt the offense as a whole.

16. Mike Boone, Cincinnati, JR

Like Stockton at Texas Tech, Boone (5-10, 201) is a former backup who should catch fire in an elevated role in 2016. In 20 career games, Boone totaled 1,399 yards (6.8 YPC) and 18 touchdowns while catching 21 passes for 170 yards, and the graduation of Hosey Williams should allow Boone to take on a prominent role in 2016. Returning senior back Tion Green remains an obstacle, but Boone is clearly a uniquely explosive player and his promotion is past due. Also, Cincinnati is expected to run more in 2016 after adding offensive coordinator Zac Taylor.

17. Elijah Hood, North Carolina, JR

Hood was extremely impressive in 2015, and 2016 should be even better. A future NFL runner at 6-0, 220, Hood is built like a feature back but has the long speed to create big plays. Coach Larry Fedora had a maddening tendency to keep the ball away from Hood for long stretches last year, but Hood's 1,463 yards (6.7 YPC) and 17 TDs in 14 games hopefully let the coach see the error of his ways going into 2016. Even if Fedora hasn't learned anything, Hood should see more work just because running QB Marquise Williams graduated after 948 yards and 13 TDs last year.

18. Samaje Perine, Oklahoma, JR

If not for the presence of fellow top talent runner Joe Mixon, Perine (5-10, 234) would likely make a push for the top 5. His first two years at Oklahoma have been incredibly productive, and he heads into his third season with 3,062 yards (6.3 YPC) and 37 rushing TDs in 26 games. His consistency suffered with Mixon around last year, though, as Perine failed to hit the 80-yard mark in six of last year's 13 games. In the event of a blowout – no small possibility given the dominance of the Oklahoma offense – Perine will be the first Sooner to get the day off.

19. Nick Wilson, Arizona, JR

Wilson (5-10, 215) was a top-5 consideration at running back heading into last year, but injuries all but wrecked his season. A nagging knee ailment limited Wilson to eight games in 2015, capping his numbers at 736 rushing yards (5.5 YPC) and eight touchdowns. Wilson ran for 1,375 yards (5.8 YPC) and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman the year before, so a bounce-back campaign is highly likely. Coach Rich Rodriguez's uptempo, ground-based spread is built for runners with Wilson's exact skill set, and bad luck is probably the only thing that can slow him.

20. Joel Bouagnon, Northern Illinois, SR

Bouagnon (6-2, 228) is one of the least explosive players on the list to this point – he averaged just 4.5 yards per carry last year – but he has the trust of Northern Illinois coaches and should remain a workhorse runner for one of college football's most time-tested offenses. Bouagnon finished 2015 with 1,286 yards (4.5 YPC) and 18 touchdowns in 14 games, adding 13 receptions for 131 yards. Those numbers are certainly underwhelming, but the return of quarterback Drew Hare (Achilles) could open up some running lanes that weren't available while Hare sat out in 2015.

21. Wayne Gallman, Clemson, JR

While Deshaun Watson deservedly gets most of the credit for Clemson's explosive offense, it's Gallman (6-1, 215) who provides the anchor in the rushing attack. He broke out for 1,514 yards (5.4 YPC) and 13 TDs last year, adding 22 receptions for 226 yards and a score. Gallman's upside might be capped by his modest activity as a receiver and that Watson scores so many of Clemson's touchdowns, but his floor is high as a talented lead back in a top-5 offense. Also, with 13 TDs on 282 carries last year, Gallman might be a candidate to see his rushing TD percentage increase.

22. Myles Gaskin, Washington, SO

Gaskin (5-10, 193) began 2015 behind Dwayne Washington and Lavon Coleman, but by the end of the year he was not only the best player on his team, but one of the nation's best RBs. After receiving just five carries for five yards against Boise State in the opener, Gaskin ran for 1,297 yards and 14 TDs on 222 carries (5.8 YPC) in the next 12 games. He likely won't do much as a receiver – he caught just six passes for 19 yards last year – but he's the able workhorse in an offense on the ascent thanks to the presence of sophomore quarterback Jake Browning.

23. Marcus Cox, Appalachian State, SR

Cox (5-10, 200) has to be one of the nation's five most accomplished returning players, carrying three years of star status into his senior season. Cox has 4,088 rushing yards (5.5 YPC) and 43 TDs in 36 games, and quietly possesses standout pass-catching skill with 77 receptions for 899 yards and eight TDs. Great as he might be, Cox's weekly fantasy consistency might disappoint, as Appalachian State is one of the most dominant squads outside the Power Five, meaning there may be a blowout or five along the way. Backup Jalin Moore is too good to not steal carries on such days.

24. Ito Smith, Southern Mississippi, JR

Although he split carries with Jalen Richard, Smith (5-9, 195) proved so explosive he still produced like an elite back, finishing with 1,643 yards from scrimmage (1,128 rushing, 515 receiving) while scoring 13 TDs in 14 games. Smith can't pick up all of the 215 touches that Richard had last year, but he should lay claim to much of it, setting the stage for an even bigger season. Southern Mississippi will take a step back with star WR Michael Thomas and Casey Martin gone, and coach Todd Monken, but any decrease in Smith's efficiency should be offset by a bigger workload.

25. Shaq Vann, Eastern Michigan, SO

Known for its depressingly ineffective offenses, Eastern Michigan was suddenly fun to watch in 2015, and Vann (5-10, 195) was a big reason why. The explosive runner was an off-the-bench firecracker behind lead back Darius Jackson, who since went to NFL. That means Vann will step into the lead role after displaying dual-threat skills as a redshirt freshman in 2015. Even with Jackson claiming 208 carries and 21 receptions, Vann still ran for 611 yards and five TDs with 34 catches, 221 yards and a TD. EMU brings back its entire offensive line, so Vann should go off in 2016.

26. Jordan Johnson, Buffalo, JR
27. Keshawn Vaughn, Illinois, SO
28. Marlon Mack, South Florida, JR
29. Mike Warren, Iowa State, SO
30. Aaron Jones, UTEP, SR
31. Mike Weber, Ohio State, SO
32. Joe Williams, Utah, SR
33. Jovon Robinson, Auburn, SR
34. Demario Richard, Arizona State, JR
35. Kareem Hunt, Toledo, SR
36. Brian Hill, Wyoming, JR
37. James Conner, Pittsburgh, SR
38. Jalen Hurd, Tennessee, JR
39. Soso Jamabo, UCLA, SO
40. Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech, SO
41. Markell Jones, Purdue, SO
42. Jamarius Henderson, Memphis, SO
43. Devante Mays, Utah State, SR
44. Bo Scarborough, Alabama, SO
45. James Butler, Nevada, JR
46. Duke Catalon, Houston, SO
47. Nick Chubb, Georgia, JR
48. Stanley Williams, Kentucky, JR
49. Johnny Jefferson, Baylor, JR
50. Justin Jackson, Northwestern, JR
51. Keith Ford, Texas A&M, JR
52. Taquan Mizzell, Virginia, SR
53. Timothy McVey, Air Force, SO
54. Fred Coppet, Bowling Green, SR
55. Joshua Adams, Notre Dame, SO
56. D'Angelo Brewer, Tulsa, JR
57. Kalif Phillips, Charlotte, SR
58. Ryan Nall, Oregon State, SO
59. Sony Michel, Georgia, JR
60. Warren Wand, Arkansas State, SO