Top 21 College Running Backs

This year will be full of talent in the running back department. It will be full of suprises as well as disappointments.

The Walker is given out to the best running back in the nation. I have compiled a list of players that I think have a chance at that title.

The top-four players are my Heisman picks.

This will be a fun year of college football.

Tell me what you think, where you would put certain players, and who I should have put on the list.

21. DeMarco Murray

Murray is the most overrated player this year.

Why are people so high on this kid? He barely made it to 1000 yards last season.

In the games I have seen him play, he goes down at first contact.

With every player in college comes an upside.

This guy knows how to put the ball in the end-zone. He had 14 touchdowns last year and another 13 the year before.

Although this guy has talent, he doesn't deserve all of the praise that he is getting; Jahvid Best rushed for over 1,500 yards and is still behind this guy in most mock drafts.

I have him so low because most people have him way too high. If people won't put him at the middle of the pack, where he should be, then neither will I.

20. Emmanuel Moody

Urban Meyer still wonders how good his team's new tailback really is.

Moody, who led the Trojans in rushing in each of his first three games and was named Pac-10 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2006, has struggled to adapt to the Gators' spread offense.

If you're wondering why he was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, he transferred from USC due to the quality depth they had.

If he can lead this team in rushing, expect to see his stock rise crazily. This kid has a lot of talent.

Most people are just wondering if he can live up to all of the hype.

19. Stafon Johnson

Johnson ran for 1,378 yards during the past two years, when he shared carries with multiple running backs.

STAFON JOHNSON ON: His ability: "I can get you with power, speed, or a mixture of both. Vision is my biggest asset. Whatever you want, I can get it for you."

STAFON JOHNSON ON: USC's tailback depth: "Having so many people just as good as you makes the competition be at a high level and it helps you work hard every day. When you don't have that, you have a tendency to lay back because you know you have the position. Here, during the time you slack off, another guy can step in. You always have that in the back of your mind and it helps you as a player."

As you can see, there is no margin for error at USC. I don't think that this kid will mess up anyway.

18. Noel Devine

Devine is an under-sized player. Yet, he has been productive on this West Virginia team.

Devine ran 206 time for 1,286 yards. That's pretty good for a sophmore. A lot of people didn't expect him to live up to the hype, which makes his success all the sweeter.

17. Harvey Unga

In 2006, Unga only rushed for nine yards. However, he rushed 488 times for 2,368 yards and 25 touchdowns the two following years.

As you can tell in the picture, Harvey isn't the kind that wants or even needs to make you miss. He has full intentions of making you eat turf.

Unga will be a very nice power back in the NFL.

16. Darren Evans

Darren Evans is a very well-rounded football player. As a freshman, he ran the ball 287 times for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns.

During their contest with Maryland, Evans ran for 253 yards and a TD.

He also ran over Cincinnati with a 153 yards effort in the Orange Bowl.

He will be a super-exciting running back. Watch out for this guy.

15. Joe McKnight

Joe McKnight, who only ran 89 times for 659 yards, has amazing explosion.

Even if he isn't a top running back picked, he will still fit a NFL role nicely.

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9x054cveR4

Some call him the next Reggie Bush.

14. Vai Taua

In 2008, Taua began the year as a back-up but became a starter after senior running back and 2007 Western Athletic Conference rushing leader Luke Lippincott suffered a season-ending injury in the second game.

Taua saw action in all 13 games, rushing for 1,521 yards on 236 carries, including 15 touchdowns. He also made 29 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

Against Fresno State, Taua ran for a season-high 263 yards on 28 carries, for which he was named the WAC Offensive Player of the Week and awarded a "helmet sticker" by ESPN.com. In that game, he broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season.

With Taua and quarterback Colin Kaepernick, 2008 became the first season in Nevada school history that the team had two 1,000 yard rushers.

Taua was named to the All-WAC first-team and the Sporting News named him the WAC's Most Valuable Offensive Player.

As a Boise State fan, I'm incredibly scared of this rushing attack.

13. Chris Brown

Chris Brown is clearly better than NCAA cover-boy DeMarco Murray.

During his senior season, he ran for 1,220 yards and 20 touchdowns. You heard me, 20 touchdowns. Yet somehow Murray's 1,002 yards is better?

I think not.

The only knock on this guy is ball-security. All the same, he has amazing potential. We'll be seeing this guy on Sundays.

12. Charles Scott

Scott will be an excellent short-yardage and goal-line power running back, nothing else.

I can guarantee New Orleans will take this kid in the first three rounds.

In 2008, he ran the ball 217 times for 1,174 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has a motor on him but will be chased down from behind regularly in the NFL.

11. James Starks

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyPlXboP11A

Starks isn't well-known due to playing at Buffalo. If you are a Buffalo fan, you know exacly what this guy can do.

He became Buffalo’s first Division I-A 1,000-yard rusher in a season that was capped with a second-straight selection to the All-MAC Second Team.

His numbers aren't impressive, but remember that he doesn't have a good offensive line at all.

James Starks, who possesses a lethal combination of breakaway speed and power, will be an excellent fire to somebody's earth and wind.

10. Andre Anderson

After Matt Forte left for the NFL, Andre Anderson knew he would be the featured back in Tulane's offense—just how much of a feature was going to remain a mystery in the beginning.

Tulane signed two freshman running backs, Albert Williams and Nathan Austin, who showed flashes in fall camp and figured to take away some of Anderson's workload.

But as the season has progressed, Anderson became more of a staple in Tulane's offense. Anderson rushed 36 times for 219 yards, including a 40-yard gain on Tulane's final drive that helped put the game out of reach, in the Green Wave's 34-27 victory against SMU.

Anderson's 38 carries tied Forte for fifth on the school's single-game list.

He sat out five games in 2008 due to injury.

I see him being a candidate for the Walker.

9. LeGarrette Blount

Watch this highlight film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82cWHFN_YKE

Blount knows how to run. Learning from Jeremiah Johnson and Jonathon Stewart, LaGarrette knows how to burn people.

Blount is known for his high-flying moves. Whether it be hurdling opposing players or diving into the end zone, LaGarrette knows how to get the crowd on its feet.

Running behind Johnson all year, Blound still managed to surpass 1,000 yards. He got 7.3 yards every time he touched the ball.

That's impressive.

I'm excited to see how this guy does in the NFL.

8. Kendall Hunter

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szwc12EzLy8

In 2008, Hunter rushed for 1,555 yards and 16 TDs. He also caught the ball for 198 yards and a TD.

Hunter has a very bright future ahead of him. As you can see, he is known for his jump-cut (as made famous by L.T.). He combines blazing speed with the ability to make people miss.

I see this kid being a great value in the NFL Draft.

7. MiQuale Lewis

If you've never seen lightening in a bottle before, follow MiQuale Lewis.

He is an exact replica of Darren Sproles, who is also far overlooked.

In MiQuale's junior year, he ran the ball 322 times for 1,736 yards. He ran the ball 322 times! There is no way you can tell me he isn't an every-down back.

Even though he could be the best running back in the draft, he will get passed on until the late rounds of the NFL Draft.

This next statement has nothing to do with MiQuale Lewis.

Why do people think Darren Sproles can't be an every-down back? He did it in college. In fact, he broke damn-near every single rushing and kick-returning record at K-State.

MiQuale Lewis will be an excellent running back if anyone can see past his shoe-size.

6. Damion Fletcher

In Fletcher's three-year career, he has rushed for 4,287 yards and 36 touchdowns. You can say that he is the most consistant player in college football.

For a 1,313 yard season to be a failure, you must be pretty good.

I see him being first-round talent but won't be taken there.

For the team that picks this guy up: If you don't start him immediatly, you will be extremely angry, you and all of Mississippi.

5. Jonathan Dwyer

Jonathan Dwyer is built like a fullback, but he can run like a true running back. He is on many watch-lists for the Heisman Trophy.

Personally, I don't think that he is THAT good. All the same, he is pretty good.

He can do it all. He's a very good pass-blocker as well

There is serious buzz about Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense. Thanks to a stunning performance against Georgia last November, Dwyer has become the face of that offense.

Tech had its failures last year, but the game that everyone remembers is the win over the Bulldogs, when Dwyer and company looked downright unstoppable.

4. Evan Royster

On Sept. 6, 2008, against the Oregon State Beavers, Royster put up 141 yards on 17 carries. He added three touchdowns in the 45-14 blowout win before being taken out of the game. He was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive player of the week.

Royster had his second straight 100-yard game against the Syracuse Orange on September 13, 2008. He gained 101 yards on 13 carries in the 55-13 victory.

While at Westfield High School in Chantilly, Va., Royster was one of the most coveted lacrosse prospects in the country.

He scored 33 goals as a senior and played in the prestigious North-South All-American Lacrosse all-star game. He was heavily recruited by traditional lacrosse powerhouses such as Virginia and Johns Hopkins.

Royster is just an amazing athlete.

3. Jacquizz Rodgers

I believe that Jacquizz Rodgers is a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

Rogers proved that when he's good, he’s as good as anyone in the country.

He’s certainly not big, but that doesn’t seem to matter. The guy is lightning-quick in space and a whole lot stronger than you might think. Look for a huge season from him in 2009.

As a freshman standing at only 5'7", Rodgers ran the ball 259 times for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He is my second favorite player in the nation and can always make you stand up on your feet.

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkgJR1AZrdQ

Rodgers for Heisman!

2. C.J. Spiller

Everyone has Spiller pegged as the best running back. As you can probably tell, I mix things up a bit.

Spiller is one of the fastest players in the nation and can roll like a bus.

He will be the first overall back off of the board.

1. Jahvid Best

What can I say about this kid? He's the best player in the nation. As a sophomore, he ran like he owned the world.

I've never seen a player like Best before. He will be a beast of a player in the NFL.

Still, people think that Dwyer, Spiller, and even Murray have the edge over Jahvid. I think not.

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQdhYCZIMRQ

As a sophomore, he ran 194 times for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also ran for 311 yards against Washington.

I hope that Spiller, Dwyer, and Murray get picked ahead of him. That way San Diego can grab the running back of the future.

Best for Heisman!

Honorable Mentions

Sorry to the following who did not make the cut.

Ben Tate, Keiland Williams, Caleb King, John Clay, CJ Cable, Javarris James, Deonte Jackson