PFF lists Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the highest-graded returning running back in college football

Photo by UK Athletics

Kentucky is returning one of the best running backs in all of college football.

Actually, according to Pro Football Focus, Wildcats running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the best returning running back in all of college football. PFF graded C-Rod out at 92.4 for his unbelievably efficient season in 2020, ahead of BYU’s Tyler Allgeier (92.1), Ole Miss’ Jerrion Ealy (88.6), Kanas State’s Deuce Vaughn (88.4), and available transfer Kenneth Walker III (87.1).

Top RBs returning in College Football⚡️ pic.twitter.com/bbStDZECxw

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 15, 2021

PFF had already named Rodriguez to its All-American Second Team at the end of 2020.

Rodriguez told KSR’s Nick Roush earlier this week that he’s “not going anywhere” after staying quiet about his decision to leave for the NFL or not. This past season, Rodriguez was the leading rusher for Kentucky at 785 yards on the ground to go along with 11 touchdowns on just 119 attempts. His efficiency is what made him so elite, as no other back in the SEC with at least 50 rushes averaged his 6.6 yards per carry. Up until his Gator Bowl appearance, Rodriguez had made it the entire season without being tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Not a bad way to keep the momentum rolling into spring practice.