Newcomers In The CFB Saturdays College Football RB Rankings: 2021 Preseason

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 CFB Saturdays Staff

With the 2020 season in the books we have removed the running backs who have moved on and updated the College Football RB rankings. A few notes before we discuss the rankings themselves.

The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football RB Rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the running backs that have debuted in the rankings after a promising 2020:

Bijan Robinson – Texas

Robinson was a five star recruit who was expected to make an immediate impact at Texas. It did a take a few weeks for Robinson to get into the swing of things but he made a big impact as a true freshman. The first five games of the season, Robinson did not play a big role and only ran for 181 yards on 39 carries. He became more comfortable in the offense and his role grew over the last four games of the season. Robinson became a home run threat for the Longhorns on every play and his production exploded. Robinson ran the ball 47 times for a whopping 522 yards and 4 touchdowns over the last four games.

Robinson has a strong build with a combination of speed and power that few running backs possess. He has excellent acceleration and side to side agility that allows him to make effective cuts and pull away from defenders with ease. Robinson’s speed and power make him a frightening to tackle at the second level. He has the lateral agility to dodge tacklers and the power to run over them. Robinson has good hands and is an effective receiver out of the backfield as well. He will need to prove he can be a workhorse type back and still be effective, but it’s evident that Robinson will be a big play threat and has the tools to be one of the best running backs in the country.

Jahmyr Gibbs – Georgia Tech

Gibbs chose to stay close to home and help rebuild the Georgia Tech football program. He was one of the top running back recruits in the country and was expected to force his way into the rotation for the Yellow Jackets . He was a bright spot offensively for Georgia Tech and provides a big play weapon that can beat the defense in the running and passing game. Gibbs missed some time as a true freshman, but put together a strong season in which he ran for 460 yards and 4 touchdowns on 89 carries, and also caught 24 passes for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns. Gibbs’ ability to contribute as a runner and receiver will make it easier for the Yellow Jackets to get him the ball in favorable match-ups going forward.

Gibbs is a good runner who shows the patience and vision needed to be a successful running back. He has excellent acceleration and balance, changing directions quickly and pulling away from would be tacklers. Gibbs is shifty as a ball carrier and when running routes as a receiver. He can create mismatches in the passing game and make big plays even when the running game is not working. Gibbs’ versatility and explosiveness make him a dangerous weapon that is difficult to account for.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Gear

Jalen Berger – Wisconsin

Wisconsin was one of the teams most impacted by Covid in 2020. The Badgers only played seven games for the season and due to injuries Berger only played in four of them. He did make the most of his time on the field, letting everyone know the running back position in Madison would continue to be a strength for the team. Berger is a good fit in the Badgers offense and it showed as he ran for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns on 60 carries in just four games. He should become a bigger part of the offense in 2021 and the expectations will be high for Berger in 2021.

Berger does a good job of running with balance. He has quick feet and is able to change directions and accelerate quickly to pick and choose his running lanes effectively. He is quick getting to the second level and has the speed to make a big play. Berger also runs with some pop and will not shy from contact when finishing a run. He is a good fit in Wisconsin’s running scheme and will thrive with more playing time in 2021. The Badgers have a history of impressive running back play, Berger is the next product coming off the assembly line.

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Zamir White – Georgia

White’s career has been hampered by injuries. He suffered two serious knee injuries within a year and did not play at all during his true freshman season. He played in 2019, but was not a big part of the offense as he was still recovering from his injuries physically and mentally. 2020 was a big step forward for the talented back, as he was finally able to become a key contributor in the Georgia backfield. White was finally healthy, he played in all ten games for the Bulldogs and had double digit carries in all but one game. He ran for 779 yards and 11 touchdowns on 144 carries in those ten games, giving fans a taste of what he is capable of.

White was the top running back recruit in the country. He has an impressive combination of power and speed that makes him difficult to tackle one on one. White has good vision and the burst to take advantage of the holes his offensive line creates. The question is if White can reach the potential he had before his injuries. White has taken a step forward in 2020 and if he can continue to build on that in 2021, Georgia will have the star they recruited in the 2018 class. White has persevered through struggles and is ready to finally realize his immense potential.

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Chip Trayanum – Arizona State

Arizona State played a grand total of four games in 2020. It’s hardly the sample size anyone would like to see, but Trayanum showed his ability early and often as a true freshman. He played a solid role in all four games and finished the season with 290 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 49 carries. He was an effective runner right off the bat, but he will need to prove he can sustain that success over the course of a full season. Trayanum does have the physical tools to make that mission a reality.

Trayanum is a physical runner who can wear a defense down. He is thickly built at 5’11” 230 lbs and maintains a low center of gravity making him difficult to tackle. He has a strong lower half and is able to drive for extra yardage after contact. Trayanum is able to plant his foot, cut up field and accelerate through the hole quickly. He is not a burner but has good quickness for his size and is able to pick up chunks of yardage. Trayanum has the running style and build to be an effective runner that keeps the offense on schedule and moves the chains consistently.