3. DeWayne McBride, UAB
After running for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns for UAB in 2021, McBride upped the ante last season with 1,713 yards (second in FBS) and 19 touchdowns last season. Concerns about his level of competition in college are natural, but let’s look at what he did against some notable opponents over the last two seasons.
2021
Georgia: 13 carries for 61 yards
Tulane: 18 carries for 111 yards
Marshall: 25 carries for 108 yards, two touchdowns
UTSA: 24 carries for 144 yards, one touchdown
BYU (bowl game): 28 carries for 183 yards, one touchdown
2022
Liberty: 20 carries for 177 yards, one touchdown
UTSA: 19 carries for 141 yards, two touchdowns
LSUL 13 carries for 34 yards, one touchdown
McBride simply was not used as a pass catcher in college, with only five career catches. So any idea he can’t eventually contribute in that area is at best an unknown. A solidly built back (5-foot-10, 209 pounds), he led the country in yards after contact last season.
If you’re unfamiliar with McBride’s work, and it’s fair to assume you are since he’s coming out of Conference USA, check out the clip below.
DeWayne McBride would've run for 1,400 yards in 1998 pic.twitter.com/AQI0JQQaR8
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 14, 2023
McBride had a case to be higher on this list, but a couple guys usurped him.