Top 15 G5 Running Backs

15 best G5 running backs:

***THIS IS THE 15 BEST G5 RUNNING BACKS BUT IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.****

• Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State: The junior put his name on the map in 2014 with a 276 carry, 1,867 yard, 20 touchdown season with a 6.8 yards per carry average. His 1,867 yards was fourth nationally in 2014. What puts Pumphrey at the top is the fact that he has carried the ball 401 times for 2,619 yards, and 28 touchdowns in his career. Pumphrey has also caught 45 career passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns. 
• Elijah McGuire, Louisiana: The junior is at this spot due to his ability to do anything on the field very well. McGuire rushed the ball 166 times for 1,264 yards with a 7.6 yards per carry average and 14 touchdowns in 2014. In his career, McGuire has rushed 269 times for 2,127 yards and 22 touchdowns. The junior has also caught 67 passes for 852 yards and 5 touchdowns as well as worked as a punt and kickoff returner in his career. 
• Devon Johnson, Marshall: Johnson is a tricky player to place after a stunning 206 carry, 1,767 yard 17 touchdown season in 2014, the Thundering Herd Back has broken into the mainstream. What holds Johnson back a bit is the fact that the Marshall offense was so good overall that some experts believe his numbers were a bit inflated. With Cato and Shuler gone among others, Johnson will get a chance to prove doubters wrong. 
• Kareem Hunt, Toledo: The junior running back for the Rockets had a spectacular sophomore season with 205 carries for 1,631 yard and 16 touchdowns with an 8.0 yards per carry average. Hunt's jump to the forefront nationally was no surprise to the Toledo coaching staff after a 137 carry, 866 yard, 6 touchdown freshman season. Hunt has also caught 21 passes in his career. 
• Jarvion Franklin, Western Michigan: The reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year and the 2014 MAC Freshman of the Year was a main reason for the Broncos' success last fall. Franklin rushed 306 times for 1,551 yards and 24 touchdowns with a 5.1 yards per carry average. The sophomore also caught 15 passes for 168 yards and another touchdown. His 25 touchdowns was fifth best nationally.
• Matt Breida, Georgia Southern: The junior broke on to the national stage in 2014 during the Eagles' initial year in the FBS. Breida carried the ball 171 times for 1,485 yards and 17 touchdowns with a tremendous 8.7 yards per carry average. Breida also caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in the heavy run oriented offense. 
• Marcus Cox, Appalachian State: The junior splashed onto the scene last fall during the Mountaineers' transitional year into the FBS. Cox rushed the ball 255 times for 1,415 yards, and 19 touchdowns with a 5.5 yards per carry average. Cox ended the season with eight 100+ yard rushing games and two 200+ games. 
• Aaron Jones, UTEP: The junior running back proved himself as one of the better running backs in the G5 with a 242 carry, 1,321 yard, 11 touchdown season for the Miners last fall. The rising junior also caught 30 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. Jones has 397 career carries for 2,132 yards, and 15 touchdowns as well as 34 catches for 307 yards and three touchdowns. 
• Marteze Waller, Fresno State: The rising senior has improved every season he has been with the Bulldogs capped by a 225 carry, 1,368 yard, 11 touchdown season in 2014. Waller also caught 27 passes for 120 yards out of the backfield for Fresno State. The senior has carried the ball 390 times in his career for 2,188 yards, and 19 touchdowns in addition to 52 career catches for 304 yards. 
• Larry Rose III, New Mexico State: The speedy sophomore was one of the few positive things to come out of the 2014 season with 186 carries for 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns while sporting a 5.9 yards per carry average. Rose III rushed for 100+ yards in three of his last four games capped by a 35 carry, 229 yard game versus ULM. Rose III also caught 23 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown. 
• Leon Allen, Western Kentucky: After struggling to find his role in 2012 and 2013, the rising senior found it in 2014 with a 272 carry, 1,542 yard, 13 touchdown season while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. The running back also caught 51 passes for 476 yards and three touchdowns for the Hilltoppers last fall. All has carries the ball 400 times for 2,216 yards and 20 touchdowns while catching 74 passes for 674 yards and four touchdowns.
• Anthone Taylor, Buffalo: Another running back that finally got a chance to shine in 2014, Taylor carried the ball 282 times for 1,403 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Bulls. Taylor also caught 16 passes for 108 yards during the 2014 season. The senior running back has carried the ball 368 times for 1,822 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career along with 25 catches for 166 yards. 
• Jhurell Pressley, New Mexico: The senior running back has always shown the ability to make big plays but never got the full chance to show his worth until 2014. During the 2014 season, Pressley rushed 114 times for 1,083 yards and 12 touchdowns on a 9.5 yards per carry average. Pressley has carried the ball 247 times in his career for 1,818 yards, and 24 touchdowns with a career 7.4 yards per carry average. 
• Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech: The senior running back is a touchdown machine with 53 career rushing touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Dixon had a very good 2014 season with 253 carries for 1,299 yards and 22 touchdowns on a 5.1 yards per carry average. Dixon also caught 30 passes for 385 yards and another six touchdowns. The senior has toted the ball 604 times for 3,410 yards, and 53 touchdowns in his career with 54 catches for 505 yards, and eight touchdowns. Dixon is 21st in career rushing touchdowns at 53 and 7th in overall career touchdowns with 61.  
• Michael Gordon, Arkansas State: The senior running back has improved in every season with the Red Wolves capped by a 159 carry, 1,100 yard, 13 touchdown season in 2014 with a 6.9 yards per carry average. Gordon also caught 25 passes for 191 yards and another touchdown. Gordon has carried the ball 278 times in his career for 1,899 yards and 23 touchdowns in addition to 42 catches for 404 yards and 2 touchdowns.