Top 10 returning rushers

With 10 of the top 28 rushers in 2014 returning to programs in the MWC, MAC, Sun Belt and Conference USA, this fall should be a special season in the running game. Expect these running backs to make names for themselves in the 2015 season.

1. Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State: This rising junior was the nation's fourth leading rusher in 2014 with 1,867 yards and 20 touchdowns. A 6.8 yards per carry average was one of the best in the FBS as well. Had outlying games of 246/2TD versus New Mexico and 261/3TD versus San Jose State but was able to rush for 100+ yards in 10 of 13 games played. Only Oregon State, Fresno State, and Nevada held him under 100 yards. Added 23 catches in 2014 after making 22 in 2013 for a total of 45 career catches, 394 yards, and 2 TD. 2,619 career rushing yards and 28 TD. 
2. Devon Johnson, Marshall: The rising senior was the biggest surprise of the 2014 season for Marshall after only rushing for 13 yards on 5 career carries heading into the season, though three of the five carries were for touchdowns. Johnson exploded on the scene with 100+ rushing performances in nine of his first ten appearances that included a 272/4TD effort versus FAU and a 198/3TD effort versus Old Dominion. Overall, Johnson rushed for 100+ yards in 10 of 13 possible games (did not play versus Southern Miss) with a shoulder injury holding him to only 7 total carries in the regular season finale and CUSA Title game. Will be interesting to see if he can still have the same impact with much more defensive focus on stopping him in 2015.
3. Kareem Hunt, Toledo: The rising junior did what very few players are capable of in 2014, finish in the top 10 in rushing yards despite missing three games. In ten games of work, Hunt rushed for 1,631 yards and 16 TD while breaking the 100 yard plateau in every game. Hunt saved the best for the end of the season with a 265/2TD performance versus BGSU in November and a 271 yard/5TD game versus Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl. Adding in his freshman totals, Hunt heads into 2015 with 2,497 career rushing yards and 22 TD.
4. Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan: Freshmen rarely step into the limelight and put up numbers like Franklin did in 2014. With 1,551 yards rushing and 24 TD in 13 games, Franklin became the workhourse for the Broncos with 163, 211, and 168 yards and a combined 9 TD in his first three games of the season. The rising sophomore ended the season with seven 100+ rushing games but tailed off as the season hit November with no 100+ games in his final four games of the season. Franklin added 15 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown to his total. The question for 2015 with Franklin is: can he find a way to keep some gas in the tank for the final quarter of the season? 
5. Leon Allen, Western Kentucky: The rising senior has always shown signs of promise but was able to shine in 2014 with 1,542 yards rushing and 13 TD for the Hilltoppers. In 13 games played, Allen rushed for 100+ yards in only six games but had mammoth performances versus Army (345/3TD) and Marshall (237/1TD) late in the season. Allen may be one of the best dual threat backs in the nation with 51 catches for 476 yards and 3 TD to add to his rushing totals. Overall, Allen has 2,216 career rushing yards and 20 TD to go along with 74 catches for 674 yards and 4 TD. 
6. Matt Breida, Georgia Southern: Getting the first work rushing the ball of his college career, the rising junior ended the season second in the nation with an 8.7 yards per carry average for the Sun Belt Champion Eagles. Despite being unable to break the 100 yard barrier in the first two games, Breida broke loose for 100+ in seven of the next ten games including 200+ versus Navy and Georgia State. Breida also added 8 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown, quite the haul for a run dominated offense. 
7. Marcus Cox, Appalachian State: Another rising junior, Cox struggled early in the 2014 season to find his stride with only two 100+ rushing games in the first five contests. Starting with 111 yards versus Liberty, Cox broke off six 100+ games in seven total games that included 250/3TD versus Georgia State and 229/2TD versus Arkansas State. Cox was one of the hottest running backs down the stretch of the 2014 season with 1,080 yards and 14 TD in the final seven games of the season. Cox also added 16 catches for 180 yards to his rushing totals. 
8. Anthone Taylor, Buffalo: The rising senior impressed in 2014 with a workhorse performance that saw him rush for 1,403 yards and 12 TD to go along with 16 catches for 108 yards. Taylor broke the 100 yard barrier in seven games of eleven games including back to back 200+ yard games versus Miami (OH) and BGSU. Taylor added another 200+ game with a 237/2TD performance in the season finale versus UMass. Taylor needs to find a happy medium as when he is on his game, he is great, but when he is off, he is really bad as evidenced by 14 carry, 25 yard and 17 carry, 37 yard games. 
9. Marteze Waller, Fresno State: The nation's 26th leading rusher in 2014, Waller ran for 1,368 yards and 11 TD in 14 games. Waller was never a back that would put up 200+ games but was very steady in 2014 with seven 100+ games that all came in a nine game stretch. Waller was only completely shut down once, in the MWC title game verus Boise State. That was a surprise as Waller rushed for 164 and 2 TD versus Boise State earlier in the season. Waller added 27 catches for 120 yards to his rushing totals for the season. Overall, Waller has rushed for 2,188 yards and 19 TD to go along with 52 catches for 304 yards in his Bulldog career. It will be interesting to see if Waller gets more carries in 2015 after only getting 20+ on two occasions in 2014.
10. Aaron Jones, UTEP: The rising junior started the season just about as perfect as one could hope for with 237/3TD, 144/2TD, and 168/2TD games to open the 2014 season. Jones struggled a bit in October with only one 100+ games until finally breaking through for 177 yards and 2 TD versus North Texas. Jones added another 100+ game versus MTSU to bring his total to six on the season and end his seasonb with 1,321 yards rushing and 11 TD. Jones was also an excellent pass catcher with 30 receptions for 293 yards and 3 TD on the season. Overall, Jones has 2,132 yards rushing and 15 TD to go along with 34 career catches for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns.