ESPN says Isaiah Crowell not among SEC’s top 10 backs
Isaiah Crowell's shadow looms large in the SEC next season. (Jason Getz/AJC)
Possible unrealistic expectations notwithstanding, we’ve noted several times that incoming Georgia freshman running back Isaiah Crowell could have the greatest impact of any player on the Bulldogs next season. ESPN’s Chris Low echoed that sentiment when he told me on Wednesday, “If Crowell can have three-quarters of the impact that Marcus Lattimore had at South Carolina, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Georgia playing in Atlanta for the SEC championship.”
But here’s what Low didn’t do: Name Crowell one of the 10 best running backs in the SEC.
ESPN’s SEC blogger just came out with his list of the 10 best backs in the conference, and Crowell, the jewel of the Dogs’ incoming class, didn’t make the cut.
When I asked Low about it, he laughed.
“I have him at 10A,” he said.
He said he struggled with the rankings because of the SEC’s depth of talent at running back and considered five players for the last three spots: Auburn’s Onterio McCalebb, Florida’s Chris Rainey, Tennessee’s Tauren Poole, Florida’s Jeffery Demps and Crowell. Demps also was left off.
For what it’s worth, Low recently came out with his list of the SEC’s 10 best quarterbacks and Georgia’s Aaron Murray led the way.
So what are you thoughts on the Crowell being left off? Should we expect greatness right away? Following is Low’s projected top 10:
1. Trent Richardson, Alabama, Jr.: Now we get to see Richardson as Alabama’s go-to back, and it should be something to see. He’s a freak physically and runs through defenders and around them in equally stunning fashion.
2. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina, So.: I’m sure we’ll hear it from South Carolina fans for not having Lattimore in the No. 1 spot. The truth is that it could go either way. Lattimore has bulked up to 230 pounds, which should help his durability.
3. Knile Davis, Arkansas, Jr.: To have a guy coming off a 1,322-yard season No. 3 on this list tells you how good the running backs are in this league. What separates Davis is that he can get the tough yards and also has the speed to break the long ones.
4. Mike Dyer, Auburn, So.: The Offensive MVP of the BCS National Championship Game a year ago, Dyer will be even better as a sophomore. He’s hard to tackle, runs low to the ground and will be the centerpiece of Auburn’s offense in 2011.
5. Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss, Sr.: In just about any other league, Bolden would be right there at the top. He averaged 6 yards per carry last season and scored 17 touchdowns. He’s also one of the best pass-catching backs in the SEC.
6. Spencer Ware, LSU, So.: The LSU coaches can’t wait to turn Ware loose this coming season. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound sophomore showed off his electrifying moves in the Cotton Bowl last season and will show off even more of them in 2011.
7. Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, Sr.: Nobody knew much about Ballard this time a year ago. They do now after he rushed for 968 yards and 19 touchdowns in his debut season in Starkville after coming over from junior college.
8. Onterio McCalebb, Auburn, Jr.: One of the premier home-run threats in college football, McCalebb is a quick-strike touchdown waiting to happen. Just ask LSU from a year ago. McCalebb has also bulked up and is more durable than he was when he arrived on the Plains.
9. Chris Rainey, Florida, Sr.: When he returned from his suspension last season, Rainey was the Gators’ top playmaker. Charlie Weis will see to it that Rainey gets touches as both a runner and receiver, and when he gets a step, look out.
10. Tauren Poole, Tennessee, Sr.: He’s not a burner, and he’s not exceptionally big, but Poole runs with his heart on his sleeve. He rushed for 1,034 yards last season and tied for the SEC lead with six 100-yard games.
Looking forward to the debate on this.
By Jeff Schultz
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251 comments Add your comment
John
June 16th, 2011
8:48 am
I don’t know if it is because the AJC has hyped him so much, but UGA fans are relying a little too much on Crowell saving the program. I am sure he is going to be a good player, but no recruiting services had him as a once in a generation type player that he is being made out to be. Granted, they are not always right, but I think the hype around this kid needs to go down a bit.
Gator Mike
June 16th, 2011
9:03 am
If I were a DAWG Fan, I would not be concerned with what ESPN says. Crowell is a superb talent as was Lattimore coming out of high school last year. Once he gets on the field, he will do well if he is supported by the offensive line.
rm
June 16th, 2011
9:12 am
I just hope he’s near the top of the list next year. Go Dawgs!
npgator
June 16th, 2011
9:12 am
He hasn’t even played a down so why should he be a top 10 back in the SEC? Home cooking in Bull Dog land.
GaPeach
June 16th, 2011
9:32 am
He will prove himself! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxg1I1jA29c
whatthedawg
June 16th, 2011
9:38 am
“npgator” – if you read most of the posts, most of the UGA fans don’t think he should be ranked in the top 10 yet. Jeff Schultz doesn’t think so either. It’s simply a way to get a lot of opposing fans riled up, making obnoxious comments to Dawg fans, and get corresponding foolishness from our supporters. Thereby, this gets lots of posts for Schultzie’s article and gets him in nice with his bosses even though it’s not much on the way of real journalism.
Jeff
June 16th, 2011
9:40 am
I have no problem with it either. I have no expectations from him. If anyone that follows this stuff hasn’t learned to take this recruiting garbage with a grain of salt, well, then they need help.
PMC
June 16th, 2011
9:41 am
Just wanted to say a big welcome to Washaun Ealey’s family on the thread. S
PMC
June 16th, 2011
9:42 am
Also, Seriously, Chris Rainey? The most overrated back on this list by a long shot.
WDE
June 16th, 2011
9:49 am
Agree he shouldn’t be in the 10 top before playing a down in college..What’s next I wonder rating Mushy SEC coach of the year before he ever coaches a down as a HC?? Unreal…
joe
June 16th, 2011
9:53 am
similarly, if you rated the top 10 SEC offensive lines, UGA’s would not be on that list either, so nothing wrong with a true freshman not on the list.
chazzo
June 16th, 2011
9:54 am
Crowell shouldn’t even be considered. He hasn’t played a down of college ball, yet. Lists and polls are stupid, anyway. What’s a great running back without a line to open holes? Without a passing game to offset the run? Without a Defense that can get the ball back?
TEAM wins. The rest is hooey including the Heisman.
Chi Town
June 16th, 2011
9:55 am
Respect Lord Saban.
chazzo
June 16th, 2011
9:55 am
I hope Isaiah is reading textbooks and working out instead of filling his head up with all this bogus media hype.
Contractor
June 16th, 2011
9:57 am
I am ok with the list besides Onterio McCalebb and Chris Rainey. Neither has produced at a high level consistently. Rainey and McCalebb are both fast, but they are not scary by any means like Lattimore or Trent Richardson. I guess that’s why they are behind those two, but they don’t deserve a Top 10 SEC backs billing. Neither does Crowell for that matter, cause he hasn’t even practiced in college or carried the ball in a live college situation. I’m a Georgia fan, and dang sure hope he holds up to his elite recruiting status, but he has to earn the distinction of a Top 10 SEC back, not just given to him based on his high school statistics.
DP
June 16th, 2011
9:58 am
This is a really pathetic attempt by Schultz to start a flame war. If the best he can do is point to what Chris Low is writing, I guess we should just read Chris Low instead of Schultz.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 16th, 2011
9:59 am
I hope Crowell takes a humble attitude, works hard and forgets the all the hype that has been about him. This is the big leagues now compared to High School, and he will have to work his way for recognition. I hope he is a team player so that we can wipe the bad taste of our mouth, that we had with Ealey. Young Mr. Crowell has all of the the physical talent needed to play at this level. Now he has to show he can do it at this level mentally. If he can, and I believe he can, he will be special.
GO DAWGS
Gip
June 16th, 2011
10:12 am
Last year, Dogs rushing went 800, 400, 300, 200. In other words, 4 guys split carries, 3 backs with Murray getting about 200. Ealey got 800, King 400, Thomas 300, Murray 200.
So this year, King gets 800, Crowell 400, Thomas 300, Murray 200.
No, Crowell will not make an impact, you can’t with Richt’s offensive pass oriented, rb rotation scheme.
Crowell might move up to #1 in the rotation in 2012 and get 700-800 yards, best he can hope for with pass happy Richt.
monty
June 16th, 2011
10:13 am
GA is pass 1st, run if you need to set up a pass school. Pure finnesse. not rock-em sock-em school like Bama. So he’ll probably have a high yd per carry but he’s not getting 25 touches a game.
blazer
June 16th, 2011
10:14 am
where is caleb king?
MRI
June 16th, 2011
10:14 am
Agree, with the platoon style running back system Coach Richt runs, 90% of backs under Richt don’t have 1000 yard years.
Shoeless
June 16th, 2011
10:17 am
Crowell will get @5 carries a game, kid can’t passblock, teams will know Georgia’s running when Crowell’s in, so will shift to run defense, testing Crowell’s passblocking skills. Murray could get injured, so Richt won’t risk the season ending injury to his QB to get Crowell more reps. It takes away offensive potential when Crowell’s there, and makes Georgia easier to defend because likely it’s a run play.
Shoeless
June 16th, 2011
10:19 am
I’d look for Caleb King to put up big numbers. King’s a great passblocker, and has a high per carry average. King is a Sr, knows the playbook inside & out, and gives offense max potential when he’s on the field. Just has to learn how to not fumble, and how to score more td’s.
Contractor
June 16th, 2011
10:26 am
Shoeless,
What good is Caleb King if he needs to learn how not to fumble and score more touchdowns as a Senior? Doesn’t matter if he runs it 99 yards on one carry if he can’t hold on to the ball. Shouldn’t take a guy 5 years to learn how to hold on to the ball and find the end zone. I’m not holding my breath on him, but he will allow Crowell to have a little more time to learn it all and get used to college game speed. Crowell will start from Game 1, and will be full time by Game 4.
BirdsEyeView
June 16th, 2011
10:27 am
All you UGA fans are the same: not reading the article. JS even said they considered freshman. I’ve seen Crowell be shut down in a game by a high school defense. He will be a non-factor unless he steps up mentally. Explosive talent, but lacks the mental game.
UGA Insider
June 16th, 2011
10:32 am
It’s worth noting that Washaun Ealey would have come in around 5or 6 i imagine. We really did a poor job overall with him. However much responsibility falls on him as well.
BOO HOO and Batman
June 16th, 2011
10:42 am
I am counting on the UGA backs to play and do well in this order:
1.) Caleb King will respond as a senior and run hard and gain crucial yards. It is his last hooray. He can be decent.
2.) Kenny Boo Malcomb will come on strong and churn his legs and drop his shoulders and lunge forward time after time after time and he will look like a very, very good back with power. Once in the secondary, he will get his gravy yardage.
3.) The no name kid that is Carlton Thomas’ cousin will pick up some quick yds on unexpected bursts. He can help UGA this year, although he is diminuitive.
4.) So will Carlton Thomas.
5.) Crowell by mid October, if he works really hard and exhibits his wares, will be gravy. he could be far more useful late in the year. Time will tell.
I am more concerned about our QB and those Batman gloves worn in the awful UCF game. THEY must go. Can he win a big game is my major issue???
Class of 71 & 73
UGA
There is a reason why ..........
June 16th, 2011
10:52 am
The reasoning behind the rankings is UGA’s sad O line. Richt has not gone after BEEF every year, year in and out and when he does sign some big kid, he is called a project or he will be fine once his blown out knees mend or his back surgery is successful. We are always a patch work quilt of no names and bum knees and bad backs, bad shpoulders on the O line.
Folks ……………….. SEC ball is O line and D line STELLAR play. Period. We have been very deficient here and AU was much improved because ther BRAND NEW HC goes out and gets some O line and D line beef. UF and LSU, Alabama, and even sad old MSU got some BEEF. BEEF is why sad Colorado pushed UGA around in Boulder.
CMR has this year to refute all of these criticisms ……………. or it will be NEXT !!
Go Dogs.
UGA_2001
June 16th, 2011
11:08 am
For God Sakes, he hasn’t played a down yet.
JB
June 16th, 2011
11:08 am
If our line plays like last year, Herschel couldn’t crack a 100 yards
Cmon man
June 16th, 2011
11:08 am
Its amazing how people form opinions about players based off an article from somebody who has never stepped on a football field. You cant find one article where crowell said he is the next anything but if you leave it up to these writers he is supposed to save the world.
AfghanHoundDawg
June 16th, 2011
11:10 am
Do this Keith Marshall will now come to UGa?
possum
June 16th, 2011
11:15 am
My concern with Isaiah. In the recruiting videos I watched, he was running through huge holes created by his offensive line. Probably not going to get that kind of room in the SEC. Hope and pray I’m wrong.
a football fanatic
June 16th, 2011
11:35 am
If anyone is interested, Crowell did not show up for the workout with Hershel Walker last week for incoming freshman….Not a good sign…nor a good start IMHO
Cmon man
June 16th, 2011
11:47 am
@a football fanatic quit trying to start rumors h.walker worked out with the returning players freshman and vets dont workout together. Go to dawgpost.com and read the article where h.w said he told crowell to play his game and nevermind all of the hype!
You have the right...
June 16th, 2011
11:53 am
Give Crowell a month before he meets the Athens-Clarke County police.
At most.
UGA 4 Ever
June 16th, 2011
11:54 am
I Crowell must earn a top 10 standing. This is a non story, you might as well have noted that Ken Malcome is not listed either. Both guys have the exact number of carries and yards.
It sucks that UGA will face 7 of the top 10 Rbs though.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
June 16th, 2011
11:58 am
[...] and inadvertent texts have led to some secondary violations at Georgia. 4. Egads! ESPN.com didn’t rank UGA’s Isaiah Crowell – who’s never played a down in the SEC — among the top 10 tailbacks in the [...]
Gatorzip74
June 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
I agree that Richardson is probably the best overall, but the most electrifying is without question Jeff Demps. If he gets to the second level, strike up the band!
Blackberry Cobbler
June 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
No problem with Crowell being left out at this point. He’s a freshmen yet to even touch the ball.
Further, UGA has a track record in recent years of (a) not committing to the running game and (b) recruiting backs that just don’t work out.
Yellow Fuzz Dawg
June 16th, 2011
12:06 pm
Loving all the advice here from the AH dog nation
indianman
June 16th, 2011
12:11 pm
he doe.s like georgia that all it is if he when any where other than ga he would be in top five
WDE
June 16th, 2011
12:19 pm
@Yellow Fuzz Dawg creep what advice? The vast majority of Dog fans are saying he shouldn’t be considered in the discussion as he has yet to play a down. All the “advice” is from the haters..now just troll on into the sunset troll boy.
Eatcrackers/can'twhistle
June 16th, 2011
12:21 pm
Schultzie. Your top 10 running back is already there, and the Bobo/Richt brain trust moved him to back up linebacker!! I’m talking about 6′2″ 230lb. blaster, Richard “Duece” Samuel. They could use him like the Dolphins use Ronnie Brown, and Arkansas used Darrin McFadden.In a straight up “Wilddawg” direct snap formation. OR let him dot the “I” behind Figgins/Ogeltree, and Bean Anderson, Kenarious Gates, and Cordy Glenn (aka The Georgia Power Company), The kid’s a North/South bruiser, but explosive too (80 yd. TD vs. Arkansas as a Freshman!), Come on Coach Richt, move him back. This kid Amarlos Herrera is a Ray Lewis clone, so depth at linebacker will not be affected. The kid’s a running back. Either you realize that, or your just wasting a 6′2″ 230 lb. stud.
phil
June 16th, 2011
12:28 pm
Looking forward to watching Caleb King this fall, not the done nothing Crowell…
Caleb will lead us to losses in the first two games and a final regular season record of 6-6.
Go Dawgs!
chazzo
June 16th, 2011
12:29 pm
@Gip: You have to add it together. That’s 1700 yds. rushing, and that’s a down year. (Not bad for pass happy Richt). Keep in mind that Bama only had 500 more in 2010 with Ingram and Richardson in the backfield. If one guy had 1200 and the rest added another 500, we’d be talking about UGA having a great run attack. I agree that the running game needs improvement, but let’s keep it in perspective.
Expect about 2000 dispersed yards per season.
2010 – 1854
2009 – 2093
2008 – 1928
2007 – 2305
2006 – 2108
2005 – 1882
phil
June 16th, 2011
12:30 pm
possum
June 16th, 2011
11:15 am
My concern with Isaiah. In the recruiting videos I watched, he was running through huge holes created by his offensive line. Probably not going to get that kind of room in the SEC. Hope and pray I’m wrong.
You’re not wrong. We couldn’t block 6 grandmother’s from the nursing home. Crowell will be lucky if he isn’t carted off the field against Boise state….
jO
June 16th, 2011
12:33 pm
Give me a break. UGA GOT 100 RUSH PER GAME AGAINST WIN TEAMS. 12TH IN SEC.
Tanker
June 16th, 2011
12:37 pm
Thomas got most of his yards against bad teams like La Laffayette, Vanderbilt, and Idaho State. Those were his 3 best games. Not a big time back. He got crushed against good teams.
Tanker
June 16th, 2011
12:39 pm
Branden Smith gets over 8 yards a tote. But he fumbles a bunch. But he’s an exciting guy. Too bad the coaches can’t teach him ball protection.