Best Returning Runningbacks - 2022

by Charlie Krausse          April 14, 2022
@coachcrewshow
PictureTreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
              In a quarterback driven and dominant league, the ability to run the ball and move the sticks is still a vital part of today’s explosive game.  Out of the top 100 leading rushers in 2021, 59 of them return this fall.  Meaning, much like the quarterback position, there is heavy levels of experience returning to the backfield.
              Some names of stud backs who just missed the list include:  Sean Tucker, Syracuse; Rasheen Allen, Marshall; Chase Brown, Illinois; Tank Bigsby, Auburn and Nate Noel, Appalachian State.
              Here are the top returning runningbacks for the 2022 season:
  1. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State – The Buckeyes struck gold with this pure Freshman back from Hopewell, VA last season.  No promises he will lead the nation in rushing this fall, but opponents will feel every yard he gains, that’s for sure.  Henderson rushed for over 12,000 yards and 15 TDs last season.
  2. Lew Nichols, Central Michigan – We stay in the north, but move to the MAC for our next runningback.  Nichols was the nation’s leading rusher in 2021 with over 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns.
  3. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA – The Michigan transfer found his home and nitch in Los Angeles last season.  Earning multiple Player of the Week honors and helped lead UCLA to an 8-4 season.  Charbonnet gained 1,137 yards and scored 13 TDs; with monster performances against both LSU and USC.
  4. Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State – Deuce displayed how he could be a one man wrecking crew as he single-handedly put on a display against a very short-sided LSU squad in the Texas Bowl.  Vaughn in the Big XII’s leading returner (3rd overall) with 1404 yards and 18 TDs.
  5. Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky – Arguably the SEC’s best rusher returns to Lexington to arguably the SEC best ground game focused team.  Rodriguez led the triple-headed dragon attack of Kentucky with 1,379 yards and 9 TDs.
  6. Travis Dye, USC – Last year Dye spent the 2021 season in the Pacific Northwest as a member of the Oregon Ducks.  There, he ran for over 1,200 yards and added 16 scores.  Now, he heads down the coastline to USC and joins Lincoln Riley and his staff.
  7. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama – How the rich keep getting richer.  Take Georgia Tech’s best and arguably only weapon last season, have him enter the transfer portal and out he arrives at Alabama.  Surrounded by 5-star O-Lineman for his 2022 campaign, Gibbs totaled 746 yards and 4 TDs in Georgia Tech with a much different talent pool level ahead of him.
  8. Camrun Peoples, Appalachian State – Peoples exploded on the national spotlight two years ago as he shattered bowl game rushing records at the inaugural Myrtle Beach Bowl.  Injuries kept Peoples at Appalachian State initially over SEC powerhouses.  In 2021, Peoples added 926 yards and 14 TDs while splitting duties with the Sun Belt Conference’s leading rusher – Nate Noel.
  9. Bijan Robinson, Texas – In just 10 games, Robinson accumulated over 1,100 yards and 11 TDs for the Longhorns.  Sark will need a more complete Robinson to help the rebuilding of Texas football for the 2022 season.
  10. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin – Some lists feel incomplete without certain players or teams.  Passing, you “have to” include Air Gun mastermind Mike Leach’s QBs.  And, in a true runningback list, you must include a Wisconsin kid.  Its like a rule.  Insert Braelon Allen here.  Allen rushed for over 1200 yards and 12 TDs for the Badgers in 2021.