Indianapolis – There has been a recent run of success from Baton Rouge to the NFL by LSU running backs, from Joseph Addai in 2006 and Jacob Hester in '08, to Stevan Ridley in '11 and Spencer Ware in '13, to Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue last year.

So it's understandable that Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard believe they're next in line.

They played in a platoon system, much like their predecessors, and the rotational use didn't prevent any of the aforementioned Tigers from being drafted and playing – much of the time, as starters – in the NFL.

"No doubt, I'm ready," said Magee, who ran for 1,330 yards and 12 touchdowns on 226 carries at LSU. "Just the preparation and all the things that have led up to this point, I feel, has me ready. I'm hungry, ready to get on somebody's team and work. I'm willing to get on somebody's team and work.

"I'm willing to do anything the coach asks me – play special teams or whatever is asked of me to do. I've always been an unselfish guy and I'm pretty sure that's the first way I'll find my way on the field, is by special teams. But I'm more than willing to do that.

"For me, it was no doubt that I was going to LSU. I knew when I made that decision it was running back by committee there. Selfishly, there were times when you want to get more carries but as I've gotten older and I've matured, I realized that it helped me in the long run. I don't have as much mileage as some of these guys have and I'm a lot healthier than some of those guys as well."

Hilliard, who totaled 1,557 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns on 302 carries, said he also is willing to continue sharing the load if it means being on an NFL roster.

"LSU, we have a stable of backs and that's kind of been a tradition at LSU," said Hilliard, the nephew of former New Orleans Saints running back Dalton Hilliard. "(Running backs) Coach Frank Wilson did a great job teaching us and molding us to be prepared for this situation, going into the NFL. I think I'm ready to showcase my talent and be on a team.

"You've got to have a two-back or three-back rotation in the league. It's a tough league, people's bodies get banged up. You never know when the next man might go down and your number is called. You've just got to be able and be ready to go in.

"My strengths are playing the red zone. In my LSU career, I had (27) touchdowns in the red zone, so that's what I can contribute in the league."

The two have been leaning on the wisdom provided by former teammates.

"I talked to Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue," Hilliard said. "Those guys came back and told us what the NFL is all about. Basically, they were just saying you have to stay on your Ps and Qs, just go out there and work hard every day."

That formula has worked out well for several other LSU running backs. Maybe, it'll work again.