2. Rakeem Boyd (Arkansas)
The lone back on this list that does not play in the ACC is Rakeem Boyd from Arkansas. Boyd is a dynamic running back, but I think he is flying under the national radar a bit. Probably because the Razorbacks have lived in the basement of the SEC in recent years.
There is a ton of buzz for the Razorbacks heading into 2020. The hired a new head coach, first last, in the off-season. They also added a talented quarterback in Feleipe Franks via the transfer portal.
Boyd earned a significant role in the offense as a true freshman in 2018. That season, he averaged 6 yards per carry and rushed for a total of 734 yards and two touchdowns.
As a sophomore last year, Boyd averaged 6.2 yards per carry and rushed for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns. He brought a big-play threat to the Arkansas offense – ripping off runs of 52, 59, 74, and 86 yards throughout the year.
Boyd has also been active in the passing game. He presents a very tough matchup for the opposing linebackers tasked with covering him. As a freshman in 2018, he had 23 receptions for 165 yards. Last season, he had 19 receptions for 160 yards.