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SEC Post Signing Day Position Rankings: Kentucky Running Backs

By Frank Spencer

Sep 17, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Benny Snell Jr (26) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New Mexico State Aggies in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated New Mexico State 62-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Benny Snell Jr (26) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New Mexico State Aggies in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated New Mexico State 62-42. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Signing Day has come and gone, and now fans and analysts can piece together what their teams will look like in 2017.

Greg Ostendorf at ESPN released his post-signing day rankings for different position groups in the Southeastern Conference. First up on the docket for Wildcat Blue Nation is Kentucky Football’s Running Back Ranking.

ESPN gave it’s commentary on the strengths and weaknesses overall for each SEC team and their running back position group. Kentucky featured one of the best rushing threats in all of college football last season. With the loss of Stanley “Boom” Williams to the NFL Draft, it will be up to Benny Snell to carry the load in 2017.

With that being said, Ostendorf and the staff at ESPN ranked Kentucky’s Running Backs as being the eighth best overall backfield in the SEC for 2017.

The Rest of the Field

The Alabama Crimson Tide ranked atop this list followed by Georgia, LSU, Arkansas, Auburn, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M. Alabama is a no brainer at number one. Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs and newly signed Najee Harris will make up the Tide Backfield in the Spring. Nick Saban definitely has some weapons lined up in behind Jalen Hurts.

Related Story: ESPN's SEC Position Rankings: Kentucky's Offensive Line

Other backs like Nick Chubb and Sony Michel of Georgia, Derrius Guice of LSU, and Kamryn Pettway of Auburn all have  hopes of making another run at an SEC Championship. Ralph Webb of Vanderbilt has been a keystone in the Commodores offense for what seems like a century. The Running Back situation in the SEC is definitely a thing of beauty.

Kentucky Football: The bread and butter

Offensive Coordinator Eddie Gran made a living by keeping the ball on the ground in 2016. Last season saw the Wildcats make their first bowl appearance since 2010 with their trip to the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. The Cats would go on to lose to Georgia Tech’s triple option offense but the Cats finished the season with two 1,000 yard rushers. Boom Williams and Benny Snell carried the load of the offense for much of the season.

Starting quarterback, Drew Barker fell to injury early in the season making way for Junior College transfer, Stephen Johnson to take the reigns. Gran decided to tweak this Wildcat offense to involve their two greatest assets, the Boom and Benny Show.

The Benny King Rose Show

Next season, the Wildcats look to reload their backfield with youth and power. Benny Snell looks to relive his freshman all-american type season along with Sihiem king and Red-shirt Freshman AJ Rose.

Look for King to take the role of the homerun hitter in the absence of Boom Williams. Sihiem King has blazing speed which Cats fans got a glimpse of during kickoff returns.

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AJ Rose looks to step in as the Jojo Kemp filler to possibly take a few handoffs a game to change the pace. Rose has a big body similar to Snell and looks to be a big asset to Gran’s offense in 2017. It looks like the Kentucky Offensive Line believe in Sihiem King as well. Things are looking good up front for King. Here’s to hoping that the 2017 season has more in store for the Wildcats’ backfield.

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