Fantasy points based upon standard scoring system — passing touchdowns = 4 points, rushing/receiving/return touchdowns = 6 points, 25 passing yards = 1 point, 10 rushing/receiving yards = 1 point

1. Charles Scott, LSU (SR) — Bye Week: 7 — No. 14 overall RB

The best backfield in the conference is unsurprisingly led by the top fantasy option in the league. Scott led the SEC in rushing touchdowns with 18 trips to paydirt and he could easily repeat that feat in 2009. Three starters return in front of Scott along the line and plenty of talent filling the vie for the two open spots. Games against Washington, UL-Lafayette, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt to start the year should allow for the line — and maybe more importantly the quarterback — to gel quickly and give Scott a chance to tune up for the heart of the schedule. With plenty of depth behind him, he should be able to stay fresh for the fantasy playoff run. He could easily top his yardage total from last season with a good start to '09.

2008 stats - 209.9 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,174 yds., 18 TDs
Receiving: 8 rec., 67 yds.

2. Michael Smith, Arkansas (SR) — Bye Week: 2 — No. 18 overall RB

The Hogs were 10th in the SEC and 97th nationally in rushing offense last season with 113.5 ypg. Smith posted 107 of those yards per game. To say Smith is important to the Razorback's rushing game would just be inaccurate. He is essential. The diminutive tailback's key issue is staying healthy but as the depth behind him should be better, Bobby Petrino should be able to give him some more rest and keep him fresh for the second half of the year. It was an issue last season as his 152 total rushing yards in the final four games proved. A legitimate down field threat at quarterback could also help loosen up the defensive fronts Arkansas faces. A more balanced offense and more depth in the backfield could propel Smith to better yardage and possibly touchdown numbers this fall.

2008 stats - 213.4 fantasy points
Rushing: 1,072 yds., 8 TDs
Receiving: 32 rec., 298 yds., 2 TDs

3. Mark Ingram, Alabama (SO) — Bye Week: 9 — No. 19 overall RB

As a true freshman Ingram posted extremely productive numbers as a back-up. Now, the job is his to lose. Nick Saban loves tailbacks with his hard-nosed running style and will give the Michigan native the first crack. Although the Tide loses two stud blockers off the line, Saban should be plugging in high school All-American types along the front. The hog mollies up front — as well as the quarterback — should have some time to gel after a week one battle against Virginia Tech. Bama faces FIU, North Texas, Arkansas and Kentucky in four consecutive weeks. FIU (80th) and North Texas (105th) both played terribly against the run last season and UNT was the single worst defense in the nation. Make sure to snag Trent Richardson if you draft Ingram.

2008 stats - 143.7 fantasy points
Rushing: 728 yds., 12 TDs
Receiving: 7 rec., 54 yds.

4. Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State (SR) — Bye Week: 10 — No. 31 overall RB

Dixon already owns the all-time school rushing touchdown mark after three seasons as the starter. He could take the mark seriously out of reach this fall if all goes well in Starkville. The Bulldogs have little else on offense to feature so Dixon will get the ball a lot and in many different ways. The 255 pounder came into spring camp down twenty pounds to 235 and looks to be ready to go for his best season yet. How will the new system employ his talents could be a bit of a mystery until game one but rest assured Dixon will do most of the scoring for the Bulldog offense.

2008 stats - 162.8 fantasy points
Rushing: 869 yds., 7 TDs
Receiving: 20 rec., 117 yds., 2 TDs

5. Caleb King, Georgia (SO) — Bye Week: 8 — No. 46 overall RB

The Georgia tailback spot has been an elite fantasy position for two seasons in a row. This season there are as many questions as there are options. King left spring practice as the No. 1 but with a short leash with as many as four names pressing for time behind him. The former prep All-American was one of the highest rated tailback recruits in Bulldog history but has yet to live up to the hype. He was adequate as a back-up last season but showed nothing special. This is one to keep an eye on as King's raw talents could be special should he put it all together and earn the starting job.

2008 stats - 33.7 fantasy points
Rushing: 247 yds., 1 TD
Receiving: 4 rec., 10 yds.

6. Jeff Demps, Florida (SO) — Bye Week: 5 — No. 54 overall RB

Losing Percy Harvin opens up a lot of touches in the Gator offense and Demps figures to benefit the most. The speedy tailback will be used much in the same mold as the Vikings first round pick. He is a smaller player, so durability could be an issue but defenders can't hit what they cannot catch and Demps is tough to catch. He can score from anywhere on the field as he averaged over seven yards-per-carry last season. Much like many SEC fantasy running back situations, keep a close eye on fall camp. Demps is the leader at this point and is certainly worth a mid-to-late round selection.

2008 stats - 116.6 fantasy points
Rushing: 605 yds., 7 TDs
Receiving: 15 rec., 141 yds., 1 TD

7. Bryce Brown, Tennessee (FR) — Bye Week: 7 — No. 62 overall RB
The much-maligned but extremely talented runner from Kansas might already be the best play-maker on the Tennessee roster and he isn't even on campus yet. If Brown can block out all the nonsense from his ridiculous recruitment and focus on playing the game, he could be in the starting line-up sooner rather than later. Of course, a mediocre offensive line and pathetic quarterback situation do not bode well but his talents are obvious. He is a definite keeper pick.

2008 stats - none

8. Jarvis Giles, South Carolina (FR) — Bye Week: 12 — No. 72 overall RB
Of all the true freshman that could play running back this year in the SEC, Giles may have the clearest path to carries. The talented recruit just missed the AC100 last year but has explosive play-making ability. He enrolled early and has been learning and practicing with the team for months now. It may not take long at all for Giles to unseat the current starter, power runner Brian Maddox or Eric Baker. The real question could be the offensive line — which has been below average for years.

2008 stats - none

9. Chris Rainey, Florida (SO) — Bye Week: 5 — No. 84 overall RB
Rainey, much like Demps, is in a position to see his touches increase. He, also like Demps, averaged nearly eight yards per carry and can score from anywhere on the field. He has blazing speed and will rarely get caught from behind. Again, like Demps (must be nice to be Urban Meyer). The Gators led the SEC in rushing offense a season ago so there are plenty of yards to be had by the young, up and coming burner. In any blowout situation, fantasy owners can expect at least a touchdown. The question who get the bulk of the important touches? Demps, Rainey, Andre Debose or Emmanuel Moody?

2008 stats - 93.0 fantasy points
Rushing: 652 yds., 4 TDs
Receiving: 3 rec., 37 yds.

10. Richard Samuel, Georgia (SO) — Bye Week: 8 — No. 94 overall RB
A member of the AC100 as a recruit, and much like fellow Dawg tailback King, Samuel has loads of talent. Unlike King, Samuel's issue has not been lack of production. It has been injuries. He is coming off wrist surgery and is not supposed to be fully healthy until the start of camp. With loads of options competing for time in Athens, a wait and see approach may be better for Samuel. If he earns the job, do not hesitate to move him up your draft board.

2008 stats - 21.4 fantasy points
Rushing: 133 yds., 1 TD
Receiving: 2 rec., 11 yds.

11. Trent Richardson, Alabama (FR)
12. Montario Hardesty, Tennessee (SR)
13. Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss (SO)
14. Ben Tate, Auburn (SR)
15. Mario Fannin, Auburn (JR)
16. Derrick Locke, Kentucky (JR)
17. Jared Hawkins, Vanderbilt (SR)
18. Cordera Eason, Ole Miss (SR)
19. Keiland Williams, LSU (SR)
20. Brian Maddox, South Carolina (JR)
21. Washaun Ealey, Georgia (FR)
22. Carlton Thomas, Georgia (FR)
23. Roy Upchurch, Alabama (SR)
24. Alfonso Smith, Kentucky (SR)
25. Emmanuel Moody, Florida (JR)
26. D'Anthony Curtis, Arkansas (SO)
27. Eric Baker, South Carolina (SO)
28. Dennis Johnson, Arkansas (SO)
29. Christian Ducre, Mississippi State (SR)
30. Ronnie Wingo, Arkansas (FR)
31. Enrique Davis, Ole Miss (SO)
32. Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt (FR)
33. Wesley Tate, Vanderbilt (FR)
34. Richard Murphy, LSU (JR)
35. Brandon James, Florida (SR)
36. Moncell Allen, Kentucky (JR)
37. Tauren Poole, Tennessee (SO)
38. Terry Grant, Alabama (JR)
39. Gaston Miller, Vanderbilt (JR)
40. Robert Elliott, Mississippi State (SO)
41. Mike Gillislee, Florida (FR)
42. Dontavius Jackson, Georgia (FR)
43. Kennard Reeves, Vanderbilt (JR)
44. Brandon Barnett, Arkansas (SR)
45. Michael Ford, LSU (FR)
46. Eric Smith, Auburn (SO)
47. David Oku, Tennessee (FR)
48. Onterio McCalebb, Auburn (FR)
49. Warren Norman, Vanderbilt (FR)
50. Justin Albert, Auburn (FR)

2009 draft kit

Top 200
Quarterback rankings
Running back rankings
Wide receiver rankings
Tight end rankings
Kicker rankings
Team defense rankings
2009 Very early mock draft

Running Back Profiles

ACC
Big Ten
Big East
Big 12
Pac-10

Quarterback Profiles

ACC
Big East
Big Ten
Big 12
Pac-10
SEC
Non-BCS Part 1
Non-BCS Part 2
Quarterback Sleepers

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Check out u-sports.athlonsports.com for more information on college fantasy leagues for the 2009 season.

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