Florida State all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook is off to the NFL, but that’s the case for a lot of the top backs in the ACC. Despite the attrition around the conference, FSU still has a decent amount of backfield talent on its slate of opponents.
Here we look at the five best opposing running backs that the Seminoles are set to face in 2017:
1. Bo Scarbrough, Alabama
2016 Stats: 125 carries, 812 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns, 22 yards receiving
Bo Scarbrough came on late as a sophomore in 2016. Over his final four games, Scarbrough rushed for 454 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-2 and nearly 230 pounds, Scarbrough is a big back, but isn’t lacking on big play ability.
2. Damien Harris, Alabama
2016 Stats: 145 carries, 1,040 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns, 99 yards receiving, 2 touchdown catches
Replacing Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry wasn’t easy, but Damien Harris made it look that way at times for Alabama last season. Although he slowed down late in the year, Harris finished with more than 1,000 yards rushing while averaging better than seven yards per carry. The duo of Harris and Scarbrough should be tough to contain as the Crimson Tide face FSU in Atlanta on Sept. 2.
3. Mark Walton, Miami
2016 Stats: 209 carries, 1,117 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns, 240 yards receiving, 1 touchdown catch
Miami’s Mark Walton showed a nice mix of speed and power in his 5-9, 205-pound frame last season. Walton eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season and rushed for at least 100 yards six times. Walton finished with just 39 yards rushing against FSU on 14 carries last season, although he did a long, electrifying touchdown run negated by penalty. The Hurricanes and Seminoles will open ACC play against one another on Sept. 16 in Tallahassee.
4. Jordan Scarlett, Florida
2016 Stats: 179 carries, 889 yards, 6 touchdowns, 23 yards receiving
Florida’s Jordan Scarlett is a big back and the definition of a workhorse. Though not overly explosive, Scarlett averaged five yards per carry last season and eclipsed the 100-yard mark three times. Scarlett did struggle last season against FSU as he was held to just 53 yards on 14 carries. The teams will meet in Gainesville this season on Nov. 25.
5. Shaun Wilson, Duke
2016 Stats: 151 carries, 623 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns, 76 yards receiving
With Jela Duncan fighting through injuries last season, Shaun Wilson came on for Duke. Though relatively small at 185 pounds, Wilson has shown the ability to carry the load for the Blue Devils and to run between the tackles. Though last season’s numbers didn’t reflect it, Wilson is also a good receiver out of the backfield.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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