Last season was the year of the running back in the Big Ten. But now many of those stars -- Melvin Gordon, Ameer Abdullah, Tevin Coleman, Jeremy Langford, David Cobb -- have moved on.
How does the position stack up around the league as spring practice is set to begin? Glad you asked. For others in the series, click here.
Best of the best: Ohio State
This will come as a big surprise: The Buckeyes are loaded at an offensive position. Ezekiel Elliott is the league's leading returning rusher, as the offensive MVP of the Sugar Bowl and national title game finished strong last year to post 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns -- while playing with an injured wrist. He's an early Heisman Trophy contender in 2015. Ohio State also returns the extremely talented Curtis Samuel, who made an impact as a true freshman, and brings top recruit Mike Weber into the fold. Stan Drayton left as running backs coach, but new position boss Tony Alford has an enviable array of assets.
Next up: Wisconsin and Minnesota
It's highly doubtful that anyone will approach Gordon's 2,587-yard season, but the Badgers simply plug and play at tailback. The next man up is Corey Clement, who ran for 949 yards and nine touchdowns in an understudy role. Don't be surprised if he ends up leading the Big Ten in rushing this year. There will be some competition for Clement's backup spot, but redshirt freshmen Taiwan Deal and Caleb Kinlaw are talented guys returning from injury, and Wisconsin brings in two intriguing signees in Jordan Stevenson and Bradrick Shaw.
Minnesota also has to replace a school record-breaker in Cobb, but the Gophers feel great about the position. Rodrick Williams Jr., Berkley Edwards, Rodney Smith and redshirt freshmen Jeff Jones will compete for playing time this spring and beyond. This could become more of a committee approach, but options abound.
Sleeper: Rutgers
True, the Scarlet Knights didn't have a player rush for even 500 yards last season. But the Scarlet Knights fit the sleeper bill because of what they have coming back. If Paul James can ever stay healthy for a full season, he could put up some big-time numbers. Even if not, Kyle Flood has a pair of promising rising sophomores in Josh Hicks and Robert Martin, who both went over 100 yards in the Quick Lane Bowl. And Desmon Peoples, who started four games last year, is also back. Rutgers has a lot to sort out this spring but likes what it has at the position.
Problem for a contender: Michigan and Michigan State
Will the next great Mitten State running back please stand up? You know Jim Harbaugh wants someone to mash out yards on the ground, but does he have that guy among returning backs De'Veon Smith, Derrick Green and Drake Johnson or USC transfer Ty Isaac? Each has shown flashes of ability, but none has had sustained success. Running back has been a surprisingly weak position in Ann Arbor for several years now.
Similarly, the Spartans' picture is a little jumbled after the departure of ultra-productive workhorse Langford. Junior Delton Williams could be next in line but will be pushed by redshirt freshman Madre London and quite possibly incoming freshman L.J. Scott. We expect Michigan State to figure this out, but some questions linger heading into spring practice.