The Sun Belt is loaded with running backs who return after receiving all-conference recognition a year ago. These stars will only be better in 2023.
Here’s a ranking of the best running backs in the Sun Belt.
Best Sun Belt Running Backs, Ranked
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Frank Gore Jr. | Southern Miss |
| 2 | La’Damian Webb | South Alabama |
| 3 | Kimani Vidal | Troy |
| 4 | Jalen White | Georgia Southern |
| 5 | Nate Noel | Appalachian State |
1. Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss
Gore may have just been on the all-conference second team in 2022, but he’s first on this list because of what he’ll be capable of doing in 2023.
Gore was second in the Sun Belt and first among conference returners with 1,382 yards to go with nine touchdowns on the ground. On 228 carries, the 5-foot-8, 195-pound upcoming junior averaged 6.1 yards per attempt. He caught 20 passes for 221 yards as well, and that’s not to mention how he threw for 191 yards and four touchdowns on 8-of-15 passing.
Gore, the son of former NFL star Frank Gore, was on the All-Conference USA second team in 2020 after rushing for 708 yards and five touchdowns on 121 attempts. He was then on the all-conference honorable mention list in 2021 after a season in which he totaled 801 yards and five touchdowns on 179 attempts. For his career, he’s caught 49 passes for 473 yards and a touchdown and has completed 18 of 31 passes for 380 yards and eight scores with one interception.
Gore was also on the first-team all-conference special teams unit in 2022. He can do it all, which is why he deserves consideration as one of the best running backs in the Group of Five.
2. La’Damian Webb, South Alabama
Webb needed little time to thrive in the Sun Belt.
He led the NJCAA with about 140 rushing yards per game at Jones (Mississippi) College. Then Webb went to South Alabama and made the All-Sun Belt first team in 2022.
The 5-7, 208-pound senior ran for 1,063 yards, which was fourth in the conference, and 13 touchdowns, which was second, on 209 carries for an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. He also totaled 213 yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions and made the all-conference third team for his special teams contributions.
Webb is in line for another all-conference type of season.
3. Kimani Vidal, Troy
Vidal has put together an impressive career in the conference, and he’s not done yet.
The 5-8, 218-pound upcoming junior ran for 516 yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries in 2020 on his way to all-conference honorable mention accolades, as he ranked second nationally among freshmen with 3.83 yards after contact. He earned All-Sun Belt honorable mention honors again in 2021 as he ran for 701 yards and five touchdowns on 152 attempts.
Last season was his best by far as he recorded 1,132 yards, which was third in the conference, and 10 touchdowns, which was tied for fourth, as he averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 231 attempts. The All-Sun Belt second teamer in 2022 can also contribute in the passing game, as he’s caught 74 passes for 499 yards in the past three seasons.
4. Jalen White, Georgia Southern
White enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 and should only be better this year.
The 6-foot, 215-pound senior ran for 383 yards and four touchdowns on 68 carries in 2021 and 86 yards on 20 attempts the year before. He also caught just one pass for 10 yards.
Then White became the full-time starter last season and took advantage of the opportunity. He was sixth in the Sun Belt with 914 yards and was tied for fourth with 10 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per attempt as he made the all-conference third team. He also caught 22 passes for 217 yards and a score.
5. Nate Noel, Appalachian State
Even with Camerun Peoples on the team last year and while dealing with an injury, Noel made the all-conference honorable mention list in 2022. He probably deserves a spot even higher on this list this season if he stays healthy.
Noel ran for 604 yards and six touchdowns on 87 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt, last year. The season before that, he was on the All-Sun Belt first team after leading the conference with 1,126 yards to go with four touchdowns on the ground.
The 5-10, 185-pound fourth-year junior has totaled 2,240 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per attempt in his three years at App State. He’s also caught 34 receptions for 186 yards.
If Noel stays on the field for a full season, he could earn the conference rushing title for the second time in his career.
