Running Backs
QB|RB|WR|TE|OT|OG|C|DE|DT|3-4 OLB|OLB|ILB|CB|S
RUNNING BACKS
01.) Mark Ingram, Alabama, 5-10 215, 4.48*
Ingram really proved his mettle last season. He was handed the keys to the Alabama ground game and really took off. Sure, he got a little help from Trent Richardson, but his vision inside, and nimble ability to avoid tackles in traffic, makes him tough to find in a crowd. And his pad level, lower body strength, and leverage make him a load to tackle. He can be a feature back at the next level.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Ben Tate, Auburn + Toby Gerhart, Stanford
02.) Evan Royster, Penn State, 6-01 213, 4.52
Royster is another typical, blue-collar NFL type back. He won’t wow anyone with his timed speed or measurables, but he’s got great vision, and he’ll likely become Penn State’s all-time leading rusher this season. He’s got the build to carry the load, and is an underrated homerun threat.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
03.) DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma, 6-00 214, 4.46
Murray is a slightly different back than Ingram and Royster. He’s not the interior pounder that those two can be, but his versatility will get him a lot of looks… If he can stay healthy. When he’s at 100% he’s a threat to score as a runner, receiver, or returner. He’s as slippery as they come in the open field.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Joe McKnight, USC
04.) Noel Devine, West Virginia, 5-08 176, 4.34
This class is full of mighty-mite backs with great speed, but Devine is holding onto the top spot in that category for now. He’s lightning-quick with excellent agility. He runs with a low base and is able to break more tackles than you’d expect considering his size. He’ll be lined up in a variety of spots this season to take advantage of his skills, and that versatility could pay off.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Jahvid Best, California
05.) Jeff Demps, Florida, 5-08 185, 4.26*
Likely the fastest player in the entire 2011 class, Demps is going to be an early pick if he leaves early. When he gets beyond the first line of defense, it’s over. No one can catch this guy in the open field. He’s got a few durability issues, but he’s a smart runner who protects his frame with excellent agility and lateral mobility.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Jahvid Best, California
06.) Jacquizz Rodgers, 5-07 192, 4.49*
Quizz is short, but it hasn’t stopped him yet. Snubbed by his homestate Texas schools, Rodgers has played with a chip on his shoulder throughout his time at Oregon State. He’s the craftiest runner of the bunch, and his ability to find space where it doesn’t exist, especially inside, is going to earn him more carries than most guys his size at the next level.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Deji Karim, Southern Illinois
07.) Daniel Thomas, Kansas State, 6-02 227, 4.57
Thomas is your classic pounding back with underrated speed and a knack for running over defenders. He’s got the size, build, and strength to be a closer in the NFL. And he’s got just enough wiggle to be more than a goal-line threat. He needs a little polish, but he’s a load to bring down.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State
08.) Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech, 6-00 231, 4.56
Another bruiser, Allen plays a lot like former teammate Jon Dwyer. He’s got great strength, and is an explosive runner who hits the hole with great burst and can turn on a second gear in the open. He’s got the option offense stigma, but his violent running could earn him a higher spot than Dwyer.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Jon Dwyer, Georgia Tech
09.) Baron Batch, Texas Tech, 5-11 205, 4.48
Batch is one of my favorite sleeper backs in this class. He’s been in the Mike Leach offense for three years, so you know his pass-catching is top-notch. But he’s one of the fastest runners in pads that I’ve seen in a while, and with a new system headed to Lubbock, he may get more opportunities as a runner.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: James Starks, Buffalo
10.) Brandon Saine, Ohio State, 6-01 217, 4.43
Saine is a powerful runner from a pro-system with good strength and a nice motor. But it’s his second gear that will get him noticed by NFL personnel. He’s got a great burst in space and can break the homerun hit as often as he can pick up inside yards. He just needs to run with lower pad level.
2010 NFL Draft Doppelganger: Lonyae Miller, Fresno State
11.) Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State
12.) Jamie Harper, Clemson*
13.) John Clay, Wisconsin*
14.) Delone Carter, Syracuse
15.) Graig Cooper, Miami
16.) Da’Rel Scott, Maryland
17.) Derrick Locke, Kentucky
18.) Vic Anderson, Louisville*
19.) Vai Taua, Nevada
20.) Roy Helu, Nebraska
21.) Shaun Draughn, UNC
22.) Armando Allen, Notre Dame
23.) Allen Bradford, USC
24.) Donald Buckram, UTEP
25.) Emanuel Moody, Florida
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Glad to see the East Coast media bias is alive and doing well…
Two updates form Shonn Greene’s pro day (29 teams in attendance), Shonn tipped the scales at a trim but rippling 225 lbs, lowered his 40 time to anywhere between 4.5 to 4.58 depending on the team clocking him. He also improved his 225 lb Bench Press reps to 23.
You should also remember Shonn’s 100 yd per game rushing streak was unstopped by two Nationally Ranked top 10 defenses late in the year who absolutely knew they had to stop Shonn Green to win…but couldn’t (PSU, Game Cocks). All with an O-Line that the NFL does not think owned a lineman that will go higher than the 5th or 6th round, maybe (Iowa’s best this year, Brugerman, Olsen).
Admittedly, I’m a huge Hawkeye fan, but I’m an ex-player and know the difference between 40 speed and Football speed (did you ever play Division I football?). Shonn is easily the best all around running back I’ve ever seen at Iowa. (Although, Timmy Dwight and then Ronnie Harmon were the most impressive all around Football players I’ve seen at Iowa, Shonn is a better true running back the Ronnie, Tavian Banks or Nick Bell).
With the 40 time objection neutralized I hope, the three remaining things that the East Coast media has transparently used to deflate Shonn’s value are :
1 Is he a one season wonder?
2 Can he catch the ball?
3 Does he have character issues?
Shonn’s per carry stats have always been the best on the team. But with sturdy and reliable Albert Young ahead of him, it seemed wise to Red Shirt. We shall see.
Regarding his receiving skills …Iowa’s Offense has never featured the I back as a pass receiver, but I can’t remember him dropping a pass. I’m sure if Ricky Stanzy would have thrown 3 passes his way against the Game Cocks his receiving skills would not be in question. It’s kinda sad that our offensive scheme probably cost him a 1st Round pick.
The attacks on Shonn’s character due to his Academic situation is the most ironic and most unkind cut of all. Can’t read a play book? In a league where every team has several players without College Degrees, (attended but did not complete or shine) and several teams with High School drop outs as well. I wonder if the 29 teams attending Shonn’s Pro Day had any serious questions in this regard after the Combine interviews.
What about the character and humility that it takes to admit you made a mistake and publicly apologize for letting your teammates and your school down and then, losing it all. But, rather than walk away (like the vast majority of kids in this situation) Shonn had the character it takes to recommit himself to returning to the team, take on any job he could to pay his own way while improving his grades.
This is a kid who has a tremendous work ethic, who highly values his family, clearly an outstanding competitor with a drive to succeed, who has not been in trouble with the Law, who takes responsibility for his mistakes, and in the face of adversity, recommits his efforts and overcomes! Again, how is he character risk?
Shonn Vs. your selections…
1. No argument against Knowshawn although Shonn’s one season stats are better and now his 40 time is faster too…
2. As far as Wells is concerned…against the same BIG 10 defenses, Green proved more durable and a better back (more TDs, Yards Per Game/Carrie, less fumbles). Even Ringer had a better season than Wells.
3. As far as McCoy is concerned, maybe slightly faster, not as big or strong. Greene proved more durable and a better back (more TDs, Yards Per Game/Carrie, less fumbles).Head to head last Fall, Shonn Greene looked like the better back.
4. Donald Brown maybe the only guy that I think is possibly hands down (season, career) a better college back. I don’t think he did it against the same competition week-in and week-out that Shonn did his single season, but Donald clearly has a better resume and overall body of work. Only question is will his size be able to take an NFL pounding…Hey may be my #1/#2 RB in the 2009 draft.
5/6 - Brown and Jennings. Dude, have you no shame? This is where your lack of real-life football experience shines through, way over emphasizing size and 40 times in your rankings (and succumbing most to your East Coast bias). How can you possibly compare either of these guys accomplishments (or lack there in) with Shonn let alone, rank them ahead of him. I’d put Ringer ahead of both of these jokers too.
The top 4 all have their plusses and minuses and in many ways, you could toss a blanket over all of the
My rank…
1 – Knowshawn (overall career and translatable NFL skills – but not that fast)
2 – Brown (overall college career)
3 – Greene (best RB in 2008 season and translatable NFL skills – power and evasiveness, toughness, vision, quickness, ball security and CHARACTER!)
4 – Wells (close 3rd, Faster than Shonn but maybe not as durable)
5 – McCoy (a close 4th)
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