Running backs are running back into style

Running backs were going extinct a few years ago, until the new wave of stars are taking over the spot light.

Great News for football guys everywhere: running backs are back. Watching quarterback’s throw for 350 yards a game is fun and all, don’t get me wrong. But I’d rather see a big ole’ 350-pound lineman pulling to the outside and springing a running back for a 25-yard game up the sidelines.

If football fans have learned anything this season it’s 1. The Falcons are the best team in football and 2. Running backs are back.

Let’s start off with college. Saquon Barkley is going to be a high first round pick. The guys a stud and is the clear favorite to win the Heisman. The guys first in the Big 12 Conference in receiving and only 3 yards from leading the conference in rushing. If that doesn’t scream Heisman, I don’t know what does. Either way, he’s the total package.

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Everything a football fan and NFL GM looks for in a running back. The guy can leap over a defender, he’ll straight up bully defenders because he’s stronger than them, and out run them to the end zone because, you guessed it, he’s faster than them.

He’s an NFL GM’s dream. He’ll bring the running back’s back to the spotlight this season and then in the NFL for many years to come. Also, Barkley could hear his name first in Aprils in the NFL draft.

Bryce Love isn’t a well-known name yet. After waiting behind super star and top 10 draft pick Christian McCaffrey, he’s stepped into the spotlight and hasn’t looked back. The junior has rushed for 787 yards, which is enough to lead the NCAA.

He’s averaging over 10 yards per carry, which is ridiculous. He’s giving himself a nice set up for the NFL draft. Also, as Stanford’s season continues, look for more Love to get some more Love by the Heisman committee and the Nation as a whole.

The NFL is littered with guys helping bring the running back position back to glory. One of those guys is rookie Kareem Hunt. I know most of the readers read my past article about drafting him in your fantasy draft, because who doesn’t take random advice from strangers on the internet? Hunts a baller. He’s exactly what the post Jamal Charles era Chiefs needed. Kansas City needed guys like him to compete in the AFC.

More importantly, the running back position needed a guy like him. As a third round pick out of Toledo, the rookies averaging 8.5 yards per carry to go with 133.7 yards per game and 4 rushing touchdowns. But it doesn’t stop there, his electric play making abilities also comes into the passing game. Also, on just 9 catches, he has 137 averaging 15.2 yards per catch and 2 touchdowns.

Devonte Freeman is extremely underrated, until he got paid last season. And he deserved every penny. Signing a five-year deal worth $41.25 million. He’s one of the most fun running backs to watch in the league. He can do it all when it comes to his running style. He’ll run over you, beat you to the sideline, or catch a screen pass for 20 yards.

There’s not much to hate about this guy. His running style and long hair will make you think you’re watching a young Marshawn Lynch. Most noteworthy, is that Freeman plays with the best wide receiver and quarterback in the league. As a result this opens up all types of running lanes for the powerful back.

Le’Veon Bell. When looking for the best running back in the league, just stop once his names mentioned. The guys a play making factory. He can run between the tackles or he can take it up the sidelines. He’ll make a cut that leaves defenders with either broken ankles or them scratching their head.

Bell’s vision is off the charts and it translates to the passing game. He has the best hands out of the backfield in the NFL, and it’s not close. Whenever he touches the ball fans must think something crazies about to happen. He’ll be worth every penny next season when the Steelers have no choice but to back the brink trucks to his front door.

While these just happen to be some of the best rushers to date, the list could go on and on. The NFL and college football is full of excited backs that could take the torch and run with it.