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2018 Pac-12 running back rankings: Bryce Love and Myles Gaskin are senior superstars

Ranking the Pac-12’s best running backs heading into 2018

By Jack Follman
NCAA Football: Alamo Bowl-Stanford vs Texas Christian Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Bryce Love Sr. Stanford - Love had one of the best seasons by a Pac-12 player ever in 2017 and is back for another round. He seems like he is going to run for a touchdown every play and should only be better behind a veteran Stanford offensive line with a progressing K.J. Costello at QB.
  2. Myles Gaskin Sr. Washington - Gaskin is small but tough, slippery and capable of breaking off big runs. He’s going to run for way more than 1,000 yards for the fourth-straight year and assault Pac-12 and Washington records.
  3. Zack Moss Jr. Utah - The 210-pound Moss is a load with speed who racked up more than 1,100 yards in 2017. He was best late in the season, running for seven TDs in the final five games.
  4. Stephen Carr So. USC - Carr only ran for 363 yards and three scores as as freshman, but I bet he at least gets four times that in 2018. He’s big, fast and a natural runner who should be the next great Trojan back.
  5. Patrick Laird Sr. Cal - The former walk on ran for more than 1,100 yards in 2017 and scored nine touchdowns. He’s also a great receiving threat.
  6. Tony Brooks-James Sr. Oregon - TBJ’s time to shine has finally come with Royce Freeman off to the NFL. Look for him to replicate his 2016 season where he averaged more than seven yards per-carry and scored 10 touchdowns.
  7. J.J. Taylor So. Arizona - The 5’6 Taylor is an excellent complement to Khalil Tate and his running ability. I expect him to eclipse 1,000 yards in 2018.
  8. Bolu Olorunfunmi Sr. UCLA - He’s big and talented, but hasn’t quite put it all together yet. He might find a break out with Chip Kelly as his coach though.
  9. Soso Jamabo Sr. UCLA - The other UCLA running back with rare talent, but average production. He has one more chance to turn into an All-Pac-12 back.
  10. Cameron Scarlett Jr. Stanford - At 6’1 215, a great short-yardage back who scored 8 touchdowns in 2017. He would be a feature back on almost every Pac-12 team other than Stanford.
  11. Salvon Ahmed So. Washington - Averaged 6.4 yards per-carry and barely just scratched the surface of what he can do as a true freshman in 2017. He’s probably the fastest back on this list.
  12. James Williams Jr. Washington State - Regressed a bit as a sophomore, but could regain 2016 form when he ran for 584 and six touchdowns.

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