SEC StatCat's Top5 Zone Scheme Rushers for 2021

Zone Runs have become the foundation for many offenses in college football. They are simple, effective designs that allow athletic lines a chance to whip fronts who might have a leg up in size. Whether by inside zone slam, outside zone stretch, something in the read option game, or another other zone look, here are the SEC’s best zone scheme rushers returning for 2021 based off their success rates from last season.

5. Brian Robinson

Brian Robinson did a great job of beating up backups and maintaining the status quo of Alabama’s run game when it was his turn to carry the rock. Only 19 of his carries last year occurred when Alabama was up by less than a TD. But while it’s easy to dismiss him thank to the context in which most of his production occurred, his bottomline is undeniably commendable. Along with a top5 Expected Points Added/run ahead of 2021 within the SEC, he was a very successful rusher on zone plays even though he was  challenged with little cushion up front. Despite sporting the 2nd-lowest yards before contact clip in the conference, Robinson projects to have a top5 Success Rate, Gumption Rate, and YAC average amongst returners. Plus, his 30% Broken Tackle Rate and 15% Explosive Run Rate sit inside the top10. 

4. Tyler Badie

Next up is Missouri’s Tyler Badie. Operating as the Tigers change-of-pace back the last few seasons, he could be due for a personally unprecedented workload if he can say healthy executing Eli Drinkwitz core outside zone play. Despite being hit in the backfield on over an eighth of his zone carries, Badie averages the 2nd-best yards before contact average amongst his peers. The lows were pretty low, but Badie has always been a player that teases ability to score any time he touches the ball. Still, he remains to be a soft runner who isn’t the most suited for making guys miss. Despite a top4 Success Rate and Yards/Carry, Badie's Broken Tackle Rate, Explosive Run Rate, First Down+TD Rate and YAC average sit in the teens amongst conference qualifiers. As a quick, one-cut back, it doesn’t take much for Badie to exhibit his speed.

3. James Cook

Like Badie, James Cook has been a fairly potent ball carrier between the hedges; but he’s struggled to make defenders miss consistently. His individual Broken Tackle Rate even looks up to the Tiger’s, and his YAC average finished about a half yard worse in comparison. But since he was surrounded by a more talented supporting cast that did a preferable job eliminating negative plays, Cook sports a better bottomline from zones than Badie’s ahead of 2021. No returner was gifted a higher yards before contact clip than his 4.16 figure. As you might suspect with his speed and ability to make the most of cushion, Cook commands the SEC’s 2nd-best zone Success Rate with a Yards/Carry and Explosive Run Rate that hold the bronze medal. 

2. Tank Bigsby

Already one of the SEC’s most bruising backs, Tank Bigsby was often his best self busting out of defender’s grasps on zone looks. Gus Malzahn’s scheme typically featured the inside zone  and frequently turned to that concept in the read and RPO game. So, Bigsby had no shortage of chances receiving carries off this scheme. In addiction to his volume, his Success Rate possesses a top4 clip amongst returners. But, the reason Bigsby finished so highly on this list was hinted when I mentioned his rough running style. Ahead of 2021, the Tigers owns the SEC’s best Broken Tackle Rate and a top2 Yards/Carry, YAC average, Explosive Run Rate, Gumption Rate, and First Down+TD Rate. 

1.  Chris Rodriguez

As Pro Football Focus’s highest graded rusher off zone schemes in 2020, Chris Rodriguez is an easy selection for the top spot on this list. From where I sit, about two-thirds of his such runs resulted in situational success, which was a conference-high by about five percentage points. Plus, Better Benny lead the way in Yards/Carry, First Down+TD Rate, and YAC average. Though his 29.6% Broken Tackle Rate just made the top10 amongst returners, Rodriguez limited moving backwards better than anyone. Only hit behind the line on 4% of his zone carries, half of those runs resulted in a positive gain. Though UK is presumed to exchange in its formerly inside zone-based offense for one rooted in off-tackles, Rodriguez’ zeal doesn’t look to dissipate any time soon.