ESPN snubs multiple SEC stars from preseason top-10 RB ranking

ESPN released its ranking of the top-10 running backs in the nation for 2025 on Wednesday morning and it has some surprising omissions from the SEC.

There are only 2 running backs from the SEC included in the top-10: Mizzou’s Ahmad Hardy and Texas’s Tre Wisner. Hardy has yet to play a down in the SEC as he transferred to Missouri this offseason from Louisiana Monroe. Wisner had a terrific season at Texas last year, but will be battling with CJ Baxter (assuming good health) and Jaydon Blue for carries in 2025.

Not included on the list are several SEC tailbacks who put up big rushing seasons in 2024.

Perhaps the biggest snub is LSU running back Caden Durham. He emerged last season as one of the top freshman running backs in the country. He totaled 753 rushing yards on the year and was the only only freshman to crack the SEC’s top-10 rushing leaders for the 2024 campaign.

Georgia running back Nate Frazier is also a questionable snub. As a true freshman last season, Frazier led the Bulldogs with 671 rushing yards. He split carries with Trevor Etienne, who is now in the NFL. Provided he can show some improved ball security, Frazier should have a clear pathway toward potentially leading the SEC in rushing next season.

Another surprise omission is Alabama running back Jam Miller. Similar to Frazier, Miller split carries with a running back (Justice Haynes) who has since moved on. Alabama also used Jalen Milroe a ton in the running game last season. In 2025, Miller should be able to improve upon a season in-which he rushed for 668 yards.

Florida running back Jadan Baugh also has a pathway to being on a list like this by season’s end. He recorded 673 rushing yards as a freshman last season while helping to lead Florida to a bowl appearance. He averaged more than 5 yards per carry over Florida’s final 7 games of the season.

Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.