Wisconsin Football: Top Five Big Ten Running Backs
By Sam Land
#2 – J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
J.K. Dobbins wasted no time in making his presence known in the Big Ten.
When Mike Weber started the season injured, Ohio State needed the true freshman Dobbins to step up and be the primary running back. The former top-50 high school recruit had no problem taking on that role.
A threat as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield, he torched the Buckeyes’ foes last season, recording 1,403 total yards and registering the second-highest yards per carry average (7.2) in school history. That average was good for seventh nationally in 2018. For his efforts, he was named a freshman All-American and Second Team All-Big Ten selection.
Looking ahead to this season, expectations are understandably very high for Dobbins. He and Weber form arguably the top running back duo in the country, and will give opponents fits trying to contain them both. While Weber is an excellent back in his own right and will get plenty of touches, there is no question Dobbins is Ohio State’s top running back.
He had 914 yards on the ground last season. Expect Dobbins to get over 1,000 in 2018 while remaining deadly in the passing game as well, putting himself firmly in the Heisman conversation in the process.