SEC Football Backup Running Backs Who Would Start in Other Conferences

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dduncan4163

dduncan4163

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SEC Football Backup Running Backs Who Would Start in Other Conferences | Bleacher Report

Alvin Kamara, Tennessee

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Wade Payne/Associated Press



Alvin Kamara knows all about that Alabama running back factory. He was once in the assembly line before bolting Tuscaloosa.
The crimson castaway wound up being treasure for Tennessee.
As GoVols247's Wes Rucker wrote, Kamara is the total package. He is one of those perfect pickups who may just wind up being one of the biggest pieces to a once-proud program's turnaround and return to prominence:
To this point, Kamara has been a shining example for those who believe kids deserve second chances and can thrive when given an opportunity at a place that encourages them to do the right things but also lets them be themselves.
Kamara is a player who looks like a threat anytime he touches the ball and also leads the Vols on and off the field. What more could anyone want?
​
After a year at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, Kamara came to Knoxville as a highly recruited JUCO runner a season ago and immediately showed none of the immaturity he admitted plagued him while at Alabama. Instead, Kamara embraced head coach Butch Jones' program and immediately excelled.
That success isn't just on the field, either. The rising redshirt junior was named one of the team's permanent captains this spring along with quarterback Joshua Dobbs, outside linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and cornerback Cameron Sutton.
As great as Hurd—who'll quietly most likely become UT's all-time leading rusher in just three seasons in 2016—is as an every-down SEC back, Kamara is the home run hitter. Last season, a Vols team that lacked a lot of speed on offense found ways to get the dynamic Kamara the ball.

UT threw swing passes to him, lined him up in the slot and even let him return kicks. His role should expand even more in '16 after he flirted with the NFL and elected to return to Knoxville for at least one more season.
Last year, the Vols finished with the second-highest single-season rushing total in school history, and Kamara was a big reason. Sure, Dobbs makes the entire offense tick with his dual-threat capability, and Hurd is the workhorse, but Kamara is the flash.
He wound up with 698 rushing yards, 291 receiving yards, 100 return yards and 11 total touchdowns a season ago. If anything, he should have gotten more touches and almost certainly will expand on his 149 this season.
Kamara is like former Bama back Drake without the injury history. He'll carve a huge role for himself again this year and then go on to be a high-round draft pick in the NFL.


2016 will be the greatest rushing season in our history you can book it

Go Vols
 
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#2
#2
Why is he considered a "start" for other conferences? Sorry, I thought he "started" for us.
 
#3
#3
And why is he considered "a back up"? Huh? Just because he doesn't trot out on the field the first play?
 
#4
#4
G-Vol said:
Why is he considered a "start" for other conferences? Sorry, I thought he "started" for us.
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He doesn't, though. He's our #2 RB. We typically only have one on the field at a time. So the #2 guy doesn't get to claim 'starter'.
 
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#5
#5
G-Vol said:
And why is he considered "a back up"? Huh? Just because he doesn't trot out on the field the first play?
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How about because he gets about half the touches per game........after no trotting out on the field the first play?
 
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#6
#6
Well, I expected my response to get a "duh" from my VN colleagues.

Nearly every article I read talks about our triple-threat backfield of Dobbs, Kamara and Hurd. My post was about substance over form.

I view "a back up" as someone who comes in if the first-string player goes down or needs to be relieved. My post was more about him being considered second-string when he adds dimension to our backfield.

Yes, I get it. Was just provoking another viewpoint regarding "back up"/"starter". But I understand the definition of "a starter" and don't disagree regarding vernacular.
 
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#7
#7
G-Vol said:
Well, I expected my response to get a "duh" from my VN colleagues.

Nearly every article I read talks about our triple-threat backfield of Dobbs, Kamara and Hurd. My post was about substance over form.

I view "a back up" as someone who comes in if the first-string player goes down or needs to be relieved. My post was more about him being considered second-string when he adds dimension to our backfield.

Yes, I get it. Was just provoking another viewpoint regarding "back up"/"starter". But I understand the definition of "a starter" and don't disagree regarding vernacular.
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Gotcha.
 
#8
#8
G-Vol said:
Well, I expected my response to get a "duh" from my VN colleagues.

Nearly every article I read talks about our triple-threat backfield of Dobbs, Kamara and Hurd. My post was about substance over form.

I view "a back up" as someone who comes in if the first-string player goes down or needs to be relieved. My post was more about him being considered second-string when he adds dimension to our backfield.

Yes, I get it. Was just provoking another viewpoint regarding "back up"/"starter". But I understand the definition of "a starter" and don't disagree regarding vernacular.
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If you understand it, then you are just arguing for the sake of arguing. That is kinda like singing, "Happy Birthday to You" every few hours to avoid forgetting the lyrics.
 
#9
#9
TNnative said:
If you understand it, then you are just arguing for the sake of arguing. That is kinda like singing, "Happy Birthday to You" every few hours to avoid forgetting the lyrics.
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No one is "arguing" here, my VN friend.

I thought the way the article was phrased, the term "back up" was somewhat pejorative to Mr. Kamara.

To clarify, I see John Kelly as a "back up" to Hurd and Kamara. I realize that Hurd has an edge on Kamara and goes out first in a single-back alignment. Kamara has his skill set and Hurd has his. I just have never considered Kamara as a "back up" to Hurd. Just different utility.

I expected acute flammage by my VN colleagues. I rest my point and was not intended to be "argumentative." It was more out of respect for the esteemed Mr. Kamara.
 
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#12
#12
G-Vol said:
And why would a "back up" be selected as a team captain?
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I pick up what your laying down but I believe in the eyes of the author he only can see 1's and 2's ..starters and back-ups and saying that Kamara could be the actual starter for a lot of teams, That my friend is a good thing to have that kind of quality in our "back-up" RB
 
#13
#13
The best "backup" in college. If he doesn't start a game then he's usually on the field by the 2nd or 3rd play. I don't really consider him a backup.
 
#14
#14
G-Vol said:
No one is "arguing" here, my VN friend.

I thought the way the article was phrased, the term "back up" was somewhat pejorative to Mr. Kamara.

To clarify, I see John Kelly as a "back up" to Hurd and Kamara. I realize that Hurd has an edge on Kamara and goes out first in a single-back alignment. Kamara has his skill set and Hurd has his. I just have never considered Kamara as a "back up" to Hurd. Just different utility.

I expected acute flammage by my VN colleagues. I rest my point and was not intended to be "argumentative." It was more out of respect for the esteemed Mr. Kamara.
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I agree. Kamara had over 1000 all purpose yards last year. He's not a back up. He's vital to our game plans week in and week out.
 
#16
#16
I don't consider Kamara a "back up". He's too good to keep off the field with his speed and elusiveness. No offense to Hurd considering he's a monster of a RB in his own way but I feel like Kamara can be the difference maker in this offense. Either way, we're very lucky to have them both.
 
#17
#17
G-Vol said:
Why is he considered a "start" for other conferences? Sorry, I thought he "started" for us.
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I think because Hurd is considered our work horse and get more carries. Karma is a co starter in my mind the way Reggie Bush was to Lendale White, or Cadillac Williams was to Ronnie Brown.
 
#20
#20
I was reading a thread earlier this week on another message board where fans of all SEC schools congregate and I think almost all of the Alabama fans were saying that Kamara would be starting for them this year if he was still there. The following quotes are all from Alabama fans:

Highly likely the starter.
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I'm high on Bo so I'd say like a 1B kinda thing
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I could see him and Bo being like Henry and Drake, but Kamara would be the starter with Bo coming in after the opponent is worn down.
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He'd be heavily involved at the least. Dude is really good.
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he'd have enough carries to be considered 1st string, at the least ...
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I think AK would at least be getting 50% of the looks but I also believe with his skills, Kiffen would have him lined up all over the place (backfield, slot, wideout). Not gonna lie, wish we still had him, dude is a hell of a back
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It really makes me happy to see a kid like Alvin who, when at Alabama wasn't a bad kid........but was incredibly immature. To see him leave, pick himself up and from all accounts go from an immature kid to a leader on a good football team is really awesome.

Wish it had happened at Alabama, but just glad it happened. Hope he has a great last year.
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#21
#21
These things are interesting because I actually think LSU has the 2nd best overall running back in the country, and his name isn't Fournette. To me Guice is the 2nd best overall back in the country behind McCaffrey. I only saw McCaffrey in one game but he is about as impressive as it gets.
 
#22
#22
LSU-SIU said:
These things are interesting because I actually think LSU has the 2nd best overall running back in the country, and his name isn't Fournette. To me Guice is the 2nd best overall back in the country behind McCaffrey. I only saw McCaffrey in one game but he is about as impressive as it gets.
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Interesting observation. Guice is really that good?
 
#23
#23
LSU-SIU said:
These things are interesting because I actually think LSU has the 2nd best overall running back in the country, and his name isn't Fournette. To me Guice is the 2nd best overall back in the country behind McCaffrey. I only saw McCaffrey in one game but he is about as impressive as it gets.
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Different strokes for different folks I guess. But IMO Leonard Fournette is the best RB you guys have ever had. By far.

Stephen Hill being 2nd

McCaffery isn't even the best in his conference imo. But there's a lot to like about him
 
#24
#24
BaldBiker said:
Interesting observation. Guice is really that good?
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Don't get me wrong, Fournette is one hellva downhill runner, I mean you can't teach that. However, to build a "team" around, I would probably go with McCaffrey or Guice and not even think about it. Guice is a breathing hi-light film in the making, sure someone like Fournette probably has more talent in his big toe than Guice has, but there is sometimes more to it.

If I were building a team and had to pick, 1.) McCaffrey 2.) Guice

As far as who is better for LSU, I think it was pretty clear to me LSU's offense ran much smoother with Guice, but I am not saying Fournette isn't a unique talent.
 
#25
#25
LSU-SIU said:
Don't get me wrong, Fournette is one hellva downhill runner, I mean you can't teach that. However, to build a "team" around, I would probably go with McCaffrey or Guice and not even think about it. Guice is a breathing hi-light film in the making, sure someone like Fournette probably has more talent in his big toe than Guice has, but there is sometimes more to it.

If I were building a team and had to pick, 1.) McCaffrey 2.) Guice

As far as who is better for LSU, I think it was pretty clear to me LSU's offense ran much smoother with Guice, but I am not saying Fournette isn't a unique talent.
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Sounds like a nice problem to have for LSU....Good luck to you guys this season. Hoping the two teams can meet up in Atlanta.
 
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