2017 AAC Top Returning Offensive Players

It is Monday, so that means it is time to take a look at the AAC in all its glory. Today, we will be taking a look at the top returning players at the three skill positions on offense: running back, receiver, and quarterback.

This year's group has an impressive array of talent and could easily be only of the best classes to pass through the AAC since its inception. Without further ado, let's take a look at the top rushing, passing, and receiving returning stars.

Rushing:

1. Quinton Flowers, USF: 198/1,530/18 TD
2. D’Angelo Brewer, Tulsa: 264/1,435/7 TD
3. Braeden West, SMU: 202/1,036/6 TD
4. Ryquell Armstead, Temple: 156/919/14 TD
5. Dontrell Hilliard, Tulane: 135/759/9TD

Others to watch: Doroland Doreceus MEMPHIS (132/810/9TD), Dontrell Hilliard TULANE (135/759/9TD), Arkeel Newsome UCONN (147/715/5TD), Ke’Mon Freeman SMU (154/654/4TD), Patrick Taylor JR. MEMPHIS (93/546/2TD), Chris High NAVY (85/546/7TD), D’Ernest Johnson

The running back position was hit hard by graduation and early entry to the NFL. Despite losing players like Marlon Mack and James Flanders, there is still a wealth of talent in the offensive backfield. Flowers is a quarterback, but will again put up eye popping stats under new head coach Charlie Strong. Expect D’Ernest Johnson to break 1,000 yards and 10 TDs barring injury.

Keep an eye out for Patrick Taylor Jr. of Memphis to have a breakout season.

Passing:

1. Riley Ferguson, Memphis: 280-443/3,698/32TD/152.6 Efficiency
2. Ben Hicks, SMU: 234-422/2,930/19TD/121.5 Efficiency
3. Quinton Flowers, USF: 207-331/2,812/24TD/153.6 Efficiency
4. Byrant Shirreffs, UConn: 166-283/2,010/7TD/122.2 Efficiency
5. McKenzie Milton, UCF: 194-336/1,983/10TD/113.0 Efficiency

Others to watch: Gardner Minshew ECU (1,347/8TD)/Thomas Sirk ECU (Injured in 2016), Hayden Moore CINCY (1,744/11TD), Glen Cuiellette TULANE (1,309/10TD).

Arguably the strongest skill position group in the conference, the group will only get better with the additions of Thomas Sirk (ECU) and Kyle Allen (Houston). Both were former starters at P5 programs with Sirk leading Duke to a bowl berth before his second Achilles injury.

All eyes will be on Memphis’ Riley Ferguson in the air. He has a chance to break 4,000 yards in year two under Mike Norvell. This could be the year that Memphis ascends to the AAC title game with Ferguson leading the charge.

Receiving:

1. Anthony Miller, Memphis: 95/1,434/14TD
2. Courtland Sutton, SMU: 76/1,246/10TD
3. Linell Bonner, Houston: 98/1,118/3TD
4. Ventell Bryant, Temple: 54/895/4TD
5. Devin Gray, Cincinnati: 58/860/5TD

Others to watch: Tre’Quan Smith UCF (57/853/5TD), Jimmy Williams ECU (45/818/8TD), James Proche SMU (57/709/6TD), Steven Dunbar HOUSTON (53/692/5TD), Justin Hobbs TULSA (50/685/4TD), Phil Mayhue MEMPHIS (42/677/4TD), Keith Kirkwood TEMPLE (42/648/4TD), Kahlil Lewis CINCY (48/605/5TD), Quay Johnson ECU (58/563/3TD), Terren Encalade TULANE (36/500/6TD).

It is amazing that despite being hit with the losses of Zay Jones, Keevan Lucas, Noel Thomas, and Josh Atkinson, the AAC is again stacked out wide. Anthony Miller and Courtland Sutton are borderline first round draft picks with Sutton showing the physical traits to go in the top 15 next year.

It is finally time for Jimmy Williams of ECU to take a step forward after slowly building into a credible threat behind Jones. He and Quay Johnson will give Thomas Sirk the best duo of starting wide receivers of his career, a career that started at Duke.

All-Purpose Yards:

1. Anthony Miller, Memphis: 1,600/123.1 YPG
2. Tony Pollard, Memphis: 1,533/117.9 YPG
3. D’Angelo Brewer, Tulsa: 1,454/121.2 YPG
4. Arkeel Newsome, UConn: 1,452/121.0 YPG
5. Mike Boone, Cincinnati: 1,143/127.0 YPG

In a conference full of dynamic players, Tony Pollard of Memphis may be the best. He is one of the best return men in the nation with a 26.7 yards per kickoff return average that includes two touchdowns. Not only is Pollard a beast returning kicks, he also held a 5.1 yards per carry average and 29 catches on the year. Keep an eye out for punt returner D’Ernest Johnson (18/11.8/1TD). If he is allowed to continue returning punts, he could again be one of the best in the nation.

Otherwise, the AAC will again have a large group of running backs leading the way in all-purpose yards.

Next week, we will take a look at defense and special teams for the AAC before rolling out conference previews.