SEC INSIDER

Webb on verge of joining all-time great SEC RBs

Lindyssports.com Staff

July 11, 2017 at 3:25 pm.

Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Ralph Webb (7) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 45-34. Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Ralph Webb (7) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 45-34. Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Herschel Walker, Darren McFadden, Kevin Faulk, Bo Jackson and … Ralph Webb?

Believe it or not, that could be the top five on the Southeastern Conference’s career rushing chart at the end of 2017.

Should Webb, who has 3,342 career yards, just repeat last year’s 1,283 yard season, he’s got a shot to end his career second only to Walker on that list (Georgia’s Nick Chubb, at 3,424 yards, starts this season ahead of Webb).  

“I take it as it comes. I just make sure I go out there and do my best to be the best player on the field and be the best leader for my team,” said Webb about potentially finishing in the top five on the SEC’s all-time career rushing list. “At the end of the day I just do my best to make sure we get a win. Winning is all that really matters to me.”

Webb has already left his mark at Vandy, passing Zac Stacy as Vanderbilt’s all-time and single-season leading rusher late last season. He’s VU’s single-season leader for rushing yards by a freshman (907), sophomore (1,152) and junior. He ended 2016 as VU’s career leader in rushing touchdowns (31) and carries (739), too.

That last total is 255 off Walker’s career SEC mark, but it’s one that Vanderbilt might prefer Webb not break. As durable as he’s been, he was noticeably hobbled against Kentucky in Game 6, and consequently was held below 50 yards in three of his next four contests, something that didn’t happen once in 2015. Fifty-five career catches have added to the workload.

Of the aforementioned four SEC greats, only Faulk (second round, 1999) wasn’t a first-round draft pick. The first round likewise may not be in the cards for Webb.

He lacks the breakaway speed of those backs — one reason that VU was his only SEC offer, despite being a first-team, all-state pick right under Florida’s nose in Gainesville — and the fact that he played some on coverage teams last year may not be coincidental, in terms of his NFL future.

But those other guys also had significant advantages, compared to Webb. For his first 2 1/2 seasons at Vandy, the Commodores fielded one of the worst passing attacks in the FBS. Nor did Webb have the luxury of running behind an All-SEC lineman until left tackle Will Holden received second-team honors last season.

“I think what Ralph Webb has done over his career is show that he can be durable, that he’s going to be a consistent earner in this conference, but more than anything else, he’s a leader, a tremendous leader who’s got tremendous competitive spirit,” coach Derek Mason said.

“He looks to lead this 2017 team where we’re trying to go.”

Where the Commodores are trying to go is to the top of the SEC East. And while it won’t be an easy task to get there, Webb and his teammates believe they can make some noise in a wide-open division.

“We want to compete and win the East just like everyone else, and we are going to do everything in our power to go out and get it done,” Webb said. “We caught some fire late in the year last year and we are going to use that to start out hot this year. We are going to make sure we carry that out through the entire season.”