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| Arizona State's Cameron Marshall |
1. South
Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore: Coming off a torn ACL, he’s ready to
return this fall, his junior year, and prove to the nation that he’s the best
running back in all of college football. Before suffering the season-ending
injury in the seventh game last year, he ran for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns.
That followed a 2010 freshman season in which he rushed for 1,184 yards and 17
touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 412 yards and another two scores. At 6-0,
218 pounds, he possesses the size and overall ability to be a workhorse running
back in the NFL. All he needs to do is show that he’s all the way back from the
torn ACL.
2. Wisconsin
running back Montee Ball: The 2011 rushing champion returns for his senior
year. At 5-11, 215 pounds, there are those who say he doesn’t possess elite
ability, but he certainly made his case last season, when he rushed for 1,923
yards and produced 39 total touchdowns (33 rushing, six receiving). Wisconsin
is known for its road-grading offensive linemen making their running backs look
better than they actually are. Several former Badger ball-carriers, most
notably 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, dominated at the collegiate
level, only to turn into busts in the NFL. That has to be kept in mind when
watching Ball this year.
3. North
Carolina running back Gio Bernard: A redshirt sophomore, he rushed for 1,253
yards and 13 touchdowns last season. At 5-10, 205 pounds, he also proved to be
a receiving threat out of the backfield, as he caught 45 passes for 362 yards.
4. USC
running back Silas Redd: A transfer from Penn State, this 5-10, 200-pound
junior ran for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns last season. There’s a chance
he won’t be as productive in the Trojans’ offense, as USC quarterback Matt
Barkley’s excellence will probably lead to Redd receiving fewer carries. Still,
Redd should give USC a big boost and could perhaps be the final piece to a
championship puzzle.
5. Clemson
running back Andre Ellington: At 5-10, 190 pounds Ellington, a senior, is
considered the best prospect on the Tigers’ offense for the 2013 draft. In 2011 he rushed for 1,178 yards and 11
touchdowns.
6. Fresno
State running back Robbie Rouse: This 5-7, 195-pound senior has rushed for
3,157 yards thus far in his college career. In 2011 he ran for 1,549 yards. He
also supposedly has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, so the
Bulldogs plan on taking advantage of that skill this fall.
7. Pittsburgh
running back Ray Graham: A senior, he’s a bit undersized at 5-9, 195 pounds,
but he was very productive last season, rushing for 958 yards and nine
touchdowns despite missing the final five games with a knee injury. He’s
considered a dual-threat as a ball-carrier and receiver out of the backfield
and possesses the complete package when it comes to running on the inside and
outside.
8. Arizona
State running back Cameron Marshall: Considered one of the best-kept secrets in
all of college football, this 5-11, 215-pound senior rushed for 1,098 yards and
18 touchdowns in 2011. He was also voted All-PAC-10/12 honorable mention for
the second straight year.
9. Houston
running back Charles Sims, Jr.: A 6-0, 213-pound redshirt junior, he rushed for
821 yards and nine touchdowns on just 110 careers, equating to 7.5 yards per
attempt. He also had 51 receptions for 575 yards and another four scores. His
efforts led to him making first-team All-Conference USA. It must be noted,
however, that Houston runs a wacky offense that makes it easier for running
back to put up ridiculous numbers, as the aerial assault opens up the ground
game.
10. Arkansas
running back Knile Davis: He missed all of last season with a broken left
ankle. In 2010 he ran for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns. Former Razorbacks head
coach Bobby Petrino thinks Davis, who will be a junior this fall, will come out
for the 2013 draft.
11. Michigan
running back Fitz Toussaint: As a sophomore last season, he rushed for 1,041
yards and had outstanding games against Illinois (192 yards), Purdue (170
yards), and Nebraska (138 yards). He stands 5-10 and weighs 202 pounds.
12. Notre
Dame running back Cierre Wood: This 6-0, 215-pound senior rushed for 1,102
yards and nine touchdowns in 2011. He also caught 27 passes for another 189
yards. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the first two games of the season, thanks to a
suspension for violating team rules.
13. UCLA
running back Jonathan Franklin: This 5-10, 205-pound senior ran for 976 yards,
five touchdowns, and a 5.9 average last season.
"He's going
to be something," Bruins head coach Jim Mora said Blue Ribbon's preview. "What's important is
that he trusts his instincts now. We have some different blocking patterns and
a little bit different holes that might be difficult to see. He had a tiny bit
of hesitancy, but once he's comfortable, he's going to do some good things.
He's explosive and tough, and he catches the ball."
14. Utah
running back John White: Another undersized back at 5-8, 188 pounds, this
senior rushed for 1,519 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He also hauled in
two touchdown receptions.
15. Stanford
running back Stepfan Taylor: A 5-11, 208-pound workhorse, he’s coming off of
back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and is looking to make it a three-peat
during his senior year this fall. In 2011 he rushed for 1,330 yards and 10
touchdowns, which followed a 2010 campaign that saw him pound out 1,137 yards and
15 scores. He’s also a good receiver out of the backfield.
16. Oklahoma
State running back Joseph Randle: This 6-1, 200-pound junior ran for 1,216
yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He also caught 43 passes for 266 yards and
two more scores.
17. Texas
A&M running back Christine Michael: A bigger back at 5-11, 213 pounds, he’s
been injury-prone, as he suffered a broken leg in 2010 and a torn ACL last
year. Before his season ended prematurely in 2011, he rushed for 631 yards and
four touchdowns while splitting carries with Cyrus Gray. Now that Gray’s in the
NFL, it’s time for Michael, a senior, to shine and prove he’s one of the best
running backs in the nation.
18. SMU
running back Zach Line: A 6-1, 230-pound senior, he rushed for 1,224 yards and
17 touchdowns in 2011, despite missing three games. During his two years as the
Mustangs’ main ball-carrier, he rushed for 2,718 yards and 27 touchdowns.
19. Connecticut
running back Lyle McCombs: A 5-8, 166-pound redshirt sophomore, he rushed for
1,151 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s definitely undersized, so it
will be interesting to see how well he holds up and runs between the tackles.
20. Michigan
State running back Le’Veon Bell: This junior is a bruiser at 6-2, 244 pounds.
He made All-Big Ten honorable mention last year after rushing for 948 yards and
13 touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes for another 207 yards.
21. Buffalo
running back Branden Oliver: The younger cousin of Chargers receiver Roscoe
Parrish, Oliver, a 5-8, 204-pound junior, ran for 1,396 yards and 13 touchdowns
in 2011. He also caught 38 passes for 366 yards.
22. Colorado
State running back Chris Nwoke: This 6-0, 213-pound junior earned team MVP
honors and made second-team All-Mountain West in 2011 after rushing for 1,130
yards and nine touchdowns. He’s considered a classic power back who possesses
tremendous athleticism.
23. California
running back Isi Sofele: Noted as one of the most underrated players in the
nation, this 5-8, 200-pound senior ran for 1,322 yards and 10 touchdowns last
year. His efforts led to him making All-PAC-12 honorable mention.
24. Alabama
running back Eddie Lacy: Previously a reliable backup to the great Trent
Richardson, this 6-0, 220-pound junior is ready to take over the lead role this
fall. In 2011 he rushed for 694 yards and seven touchdowns on just 95 carries,
equating to an outstanding 7.1 yards per attempt. He also caught 11 passes for
131 yards.
25. Vanderbilt
running back Zac Stacy: This 5-9, 210-pound senior set school single-season records
in rushing yards (1,193) and rushing touchdowns (14) last year. That allowed
him to earn second-team All-SEC honors from the coaches and sportswriters.
26. Florida
International running back Kedrick Rhodes: A 5-10, 200-pound junior, he ran for
1,149 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also caught 27 passes for
another 252 yards.
27. Nebraska
running back Rex Burkhead: This 5-11, 210-pound senior is not a breakaway
threat, but he’s been ultra-productive, as evidenced with the 1,357 rushing
yards and 15 touchdowns he put up last season. He also proved to be a receiving
threat out of the backfield, catching 21 passes for 277 yards and two more
scores.
28. Oregon
running back Kenjon Barner: This 5-11, 195-pound senior will finally be a
starter this fall—now that LaMichael James is playing in the NFL with the San
Francisco 49ers. Despite backing up James, Barner was quite productive last
season, running for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also showed good hands, as
he caught 17 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns.
Many experts will state
that running back isn’t a premium position anymore. Although that may be true,
the Chargers definitely could use more balance in their offensive attack. If
they would have had a better running game in 2009, there’s a good chance they
would have won the Super Bowl. Hopefully someone will step up this season to
form a great tandem with Mathews and give Smith no need to take a running back
next April. But if the running game struggles yet again, there should plenty of
talented ball-carriers for Smith to choose from in the 2013 draft.
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