Where does CJ Baxter stack up with the rest of the SEC running backs

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Recently, we ranked the starting quarterbacks in the SEC, with Kentucky Wildcats starter Kenny Minchey ranking in the top ten. How does the rest of the team rank?

We continue ranking each position group in the SEC to see where Kentucky stacks up with the rest of the conference. Running back is a question mark heading into the season for the Wildcats. There is boom-or-bust potential with CJ Baxter and Jovantae Barnes. The conference is loaded with some of the best running backs in the country, and here is where we think Baxter, the presumed starter, ranks among the SEC starting running backs.

16. Matt Fuller, South Carolina

The sophomore back for the Gamecocks, Matt Fuller, had 72 carries last season and had a total of 260 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Fuller's 3.6 yards per carry average has to improve if he wants to jump up on this list. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has carried the offense recently and Shane Beamer is hoping his new offensive coordinator Kendall Briles will help develop some skill positions quickly.

15. Xavier Robinson, Oklahoma

Xavier Robinson is a big running back at 6'0, 235-pounds that averaged 5.1 yards per carry last season for the Sooners. Robinson totaled 421 rushing yards and four touchdowns, but the Sooner's struggled to find consistency on the ground. With a loaded wide receiver room and a healthy John Mateer, this should allow better looks for Robinson and the running game.

14. Daniel Hill, Alabama

Daniel Hill rushed for just 284 yards and six touchdowns last season, and the Crimson Tide struggled to run the football all season. This is a problem that Kalen Deboer and his staff have to fix quickly with the inexperience they have at quarterback this season. Keep an eye on true freshman running back EJ Crowell as somebody who could eventually become the guy as the season progresses.

13. Sutton Smith, Arkansas

Sutton Smith followed Arkansas head coach Ryan Silverfield from Memphis. At Memphis last season, Smith had 669 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries. He is looking to keep that momentum going as he transitions to the SEC, and he has a lot of expectations as he will be rocking the number five that was infamously worn by running back Darren McFadden for the Razorbacks.

12. CJ Baxter, Kentucky

CJ Baxter has range of outcomes that essentially all come down to his health. Baxter has a talent to be a bell cow back, but this could be more of a running back by committee approach from Will Stein and his staff. Kentucky's running backs will be behind an experienced offensive line with great expectations.

11. Rueben Owens, Texas A&M

Rueben Owens returns as the Aggies leading running back with 639 rushing yards on 119 carries last season. Texas A&M will lean on quarterback Marcel Reed's legs as well, as the dual threat quarterback has to take a step this season. With Mario Craver and Isaiah Horton on the outside, Texas A&M will likely be a pass first team but they desperately need Owens to take a step this season.

10. Caden Durham/Harlem Berry, LSU

LSU struggled to run the football last season, but they are hoping Lane Kiffin's offense can flip that in year one. Caden Durham had an impressive season in 2024, and Harlem Berry looks to improve off a solid first season with the Tigers. With Kiffin's explosive offense, expect this running back duo to be more than formidable in 2026.

9. Fluff Bothwell, Mississippi State

Fluff Bothwell had 677 yards and six touchdowns on 142 carries last season. Quarterback Kamario Taylor has a lot of talent and is dangerous with his legs. This can open up more looks for Bothwell this season as Jeff Lebby's team will try to win games on the offensive side of the football.

8. Sedrick Alexander, Vanderbilt

Sedrick Alexander had 567 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season on just 105 carries. Diego Pavia led the Commodores in carries the last two seasons, so expect Alexander to have an increased workload this season. Alexander will be in a unique rushing scheme from offensive coordinator Tim Beck and will likely be the engine for Vanderbilt's offense this season with true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis expected to be the signal caller.

7. Jeremiah Cobb, Auburn

Jeremiah Cobb was a bell cow back for the Tigers last season with 175 carries. Cobb rushed for 969 yards and returns in a brand new offensive scheme. Alex Golesh will bring an offense with wide splits that creates light boxes to the plains, which can set up explosive opportunities on the ground for Cobb; quarterback Byrum Brown rushed for over 1,000 yards last season at USF as well.

6. Nate Frazier, Georgia

Nate Frazier is a typical tough runner that we have become accustomed to under Kirby Smart. Frazier had 947 rushing yards last season on 173 carries. He will be running behind one of the best offensive lines in the conference.

5. DeSean Bishop, Tennessee

DeSean Bishop rushed for 1,076 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last season for the Vols. Josh Heupel's offensive scheme creates light boxes which allow explosive rushing opportunities. Expect the Vols to lean on Bishop with inexperience at quarterback.

4. Hollywood Smothers/Raleek Brown, Texas

Texas has weapons galore for quarterback Arch Manning, and the running back duo is the most dangerous 1-2 punch in the conference. Hollywood Smothers rushed for 969 yards at NC State last season. Raleek Brown rushed for 1,141 yards at Arizona State in 2025.

3. Jadan Baugh, Florida

Jadan Baugh had 1,170 rushing yards for the Gators last season. Baugh will be in a creative scheme with new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner who lives in pistol formations. Jon Sumrall will want to establish the run and he has one of the most talented running backs in the country to do so.

2. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss

Kewan Lacy is extremely dynamic, and it is hard to imagine him not repeating his incredible season from 2025. Lacy rushed for over 1,500 yards last season and found the end zone 24 times. Lacy and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss make the Rebels one of the best offenses in the country.

1. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz gave a promising update at SEC Media Days regarding Hardy's recovery from a gunshot wound he suffered this offseason. How fast Hardy can return to 100% remains a question, but it is no question that he is the best running back in the country when healthy. Hardy is a machine at forcing missed tackles, and he showed that last season with 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Where does CJ Baxter stack up with the rest of the SEC running backs

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