CFB Recruiting 200: Top 11 Running Backs in Class of 2016
After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the class of 2016. Here we present the Top Running Backs.
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Are college football's pass-happy offenses phasing out the art of the running back? Most coaches will answer no, particularly with the caliber of running back talent in the 2016 class.
When it comes to playmakers out of the backfield, a running back's role is still as important as ever. In fact, running backs may have more of a role now that quarterbacks often look for the checkdown in passing situations.
Bleacher Report's CFB Recruiting 200 series breaks down the top running backs (all-purpose backs included) in the 2016 class and grades them on key factors such as ball security, power, vision, hands, speed and agility.
All analysis provided by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Damon Sayles. All player rankings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.
11. 4-Star RB Amir Rasul
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Height/Weight: 5'10", 200 pounds
High School: Coral Gables Senior High School; Miami
247Sports Ranking: No. 7 RB; No. 196 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Committed to Florida State on July 27, 2015
Amir Rasul could be a home run type of player for the Seminoles. He rushed for nearly 900 yards and 13 touchdowns last year but averaged seven yards per carry.
The Seminoles are hoping to keep Rasul committed after he recently decommitted from Miami. He has additional offers from Florida, USC, Wisconsin and other schools.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Miami loves its speedy backs, and Rasul fits that description. His speed, shiftiness and acceleration make him an intriguing option.
The Hurricanes may choose to use a stable of backs in 2016, but if Rasul is considered the primary option, he has good enough size to be a durable back in the ACC.
10. 4-Star RB Antonio Williams
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Height/Weight: 5'11", 210 pounds
High School: North Stanly High School; New London, North Carolina
247Sports Ranking: No. 6 RB; No. 189 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to Wisconsin on Dec. 4, 2014
Wisconsin likes its big running backs, and Antonio Williams fits that burly package. A reliable option in the backfield, Williams has rushed for 6,400 yards and 69 touchdowns in three varsity seasons.
Williams committed to Wisconsin on Dec. 4. He chose the Badgers over Georgia, North Carolina, Auburn, Michigan State, Notre Dame and a few other programs.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Williams fits the description of the downhill runner who excels in Big Ten play. As someone who has rushed at least 230 times each season, he has shown he's a durable athlete who can get results on the ground.
Williams is a quick back who hits the holes strong. He runs hard, which makes it difficult for one defender to bring him down. Additionally, he rarely is hit cleanly because of his elusiveness.
9. 4-Star RB Elijah Holyfield
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Height/Weight: 5'10", 204 pounds
High School: Woodward Academy; Atlanta
247Sports Ranking: No. 5 RB; No. 173 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Uncommitted: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Oregon
Even though he's the son of a world-famous former heavyweight boxing champ, Elijah Holyfield has made a name for himself as a running back. Evander Holyfield's son has more than 30 offers, including ones from Auburn, Georgia and Alabama.
Holyfield recorded 1,735 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in his junior year. He also caught 27 passes for 289 yards and three scores.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Holyfield has a running style that frustrates defenders. He is very good at letting a play develop and then taking advantage of finding the hole. He also is a reliable receiving option out of the backfield.
Holyfield is an athlete who has a good frame and possesses good speed and agility. He had a breakout junior season, and the future is bright for him.
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8. 4-Star APB Melquise Stovall
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Height/Weight: 5'8", 180 pounds
High School: Paraclete High School; Lancaster, California
247Sports Ranking: No. 4 APB; No. 163 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to USC on April 17, 2015
As a 1,600-yard, 20-touchdown rusher last season, Melquise Stovall is someone who needs to touch the ball as much as possible. Stovall can make things happen with a long run or from a nice pass. He's a versatile option for his high school.
Stovall committed to USC on April 17 and chose the Trojans over offers from UCLA, Washington and others. He is talented enough to be used similarly to how Reggie Bush was used during his Trojan days.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Stovall has a stocky build; while short, he's far from small. He runs with a low center of gravity, which makes it tough for defenders to get a decent hit on him.
His speed and quickness make him a matchup problem for linebackers. Because of his athleticism and explosiveness once he touches the ball, he's not going to lose many one-on-one battles.
7. 4-Star APB Damian Alloway
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Height/Weight: 5'8 ½", 170 pounds
High School: Summit High School; Fontana, California
247Sports Ranking: No. 3 APB; No. 158 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Uncommitted: Considering Notre Dame, UCLA, Cal and Wisconsin
Back in March, Damian Alloway was scheduled to announce his commitment but decided last-minute to postpone the announcement until later. He's now one of the most coveted athletes in the country.
Alloway can line up as a slot receiver or in the backfield taking handoffs. UCLA is an in-state school to watch, but Notre Dame appears to be picking up steam.
Bleacher Report Analysis
What he lacks in size, Alloway makes up for with the versatility he brings to the field. He runs great routes as a receiver and is a shifty athlete when he runs the ball.
Alloway has a level of acceleration that intrigues college coaches. He also is a great option for kick and punt returns at the next level.
6. 4-Star RB Devwah Whaley
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Height/Weight: 6'0", 205 pounds
High School: Central Senior High School; Beaumont, Texas
247Sports Ranking: No. 4 RB; No. 129 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Uncommitted: Considering Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M
Devwah Whaley's stock went up tremendously after his junior year when he more than doubled his yards from his sophomore year. He rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns after tallying 557 yards and five scores.
Whaley recently announced a top five of Texas A&M, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Georgia. The battle appears to be between the in-state schools.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Whaley has a good skill set and can make an impact early at the next level. He has good vision and can hit a second gear. Whaley also runs with power.
What some may not know is that Whaley has good hands and is a decent receiver out of the backfield. He will be a solid player to watch.
5. 4-Star RB B.J. Emmons
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Height/Weight: 5'10", 232 pounds
High School: Freedom High School; Morganton, North Carolina
247Sports Ranking: No. 3 RB; No. 110 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to Alabama on July 20, 2015
The jumbo back still exists, and B.J. Emmons is one of the best in his class. Emmons once was committed to Georgia but decommitted June 11.
Emmons is an Alabama commit, but Tennessee is a school to watch for his services as February approaches. Look for the Crimson Tide to stay well connected with the burly back throughout the fall.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Emmons, in short, is a load to bring down. He runs with power and a purpose. What makes him such a difficult matchup is that when he's in the open, he has a second gear.
Emmons is a big-body back who will help a program get the short yard. He also is a solid blocker and a good option for catching passes out of the backfield.
4. 4-Star RB Miles Sanders
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Height/Weight: 5'11", 199 pounds
High School: Woodland Hills High School; Pittsburgh
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 RB; No. 43 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to Penn State on July 19, 2014
Penn State fans were ecstatic when Miles Sanders announced his verbal commitment to the Nittany Lions. He chose Penn State over offers from Pitt, Michigan, Michigan State and Alabama, among others.
Sanders is a back who likes to get yards after contact. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 18 touchdowns but didn't rush 100 times as a junior.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Sanders possesses a great combination of speed, acceleration, balance and power running. He's tough to bring down with one athlete, and because of a nice spin, he's difficult to tackle overall.
Because of his speed, Sanders could be used in a kickoff-return-specialist role early if Penn State chooses that route. He's a durable back who could have a very productive college career.
3. 4-Star APB Demario McCall
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Height/Weight: 5'11", 180 pounds
High School: North Ridgeville High School; North Ridgeville, Ohio
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 APB; No. 41 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to Ohio State on March 28, 2015
Need a home run hitter in a running back form? Demario McCall rushed for 2,302 yards and 47 touchdowns as a junior. He rushed for 1,562 yards on 156 attempts—averaging right at 10 yards per carry—and had 25 touchdowns as a sophomore.
McCall verbally committed to Ohio State at the end of March. He has 14 reported offers, according to 247Sports.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Any time a multifaceted back chooses Urban Meyer's Ohio State program, fans love to make Percy Harvin comparisons. Truthfully, McCall can be used in the same capacity.
McCall can be a threat as a running back, a slot receiver and a special teams returner. He also could run Wildcat quarterback if necessary. McCall's talents can frustrate a defense all over the field.
2. 4-Star RB Kareem Walker
10 of 11Height/Weight: 6'1", 210 pounds
High School: DePaul Catholic High School; Wayne, New Jersey
247Sports Ranking: No. 1 RB; No. 29 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Committed to Ohio State on Jan. 12, 2015
If anything is certain, it's that Kareem Walker knows how to get into the end zone. As a junior, Walker rushed for 1,607 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Walker committed to Ohio State on Jan. 12, choosing the Buckeyes over Alabama, Rutgers and Penn State among others.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Walker's running style fits the Ohio State offense. He's an athlete who can run north-south but can also flip things by showing off his ability to evade tacklers.
Size-wise, Walker is a solid, college-ready back. It'll be interesting to see how he handles Big Ten athletes. Perhaps the bigger question is how he'll handle the competition on his own team, an Ohio State squad loaded with talent at the skill positions.
1. 5-Star APB Tavien Feaster
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Height/Weight: 6'0", 204 pounds
High School: Spartanburg High School; Spartanburg, South Carolina
247Sports Ranking: No. 1 APB; No. 25 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Committed to Clemson on Feb. 4, 2015
Speed. Agility. Size. Elusiveness. Tavien Feaster has everything you want in a running back.
Feaster rushed for 1,153 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. He had an even better sophomore year, finishing with 1,429 yards and 15 touchdowns. Feaster committed to Clemson on Feb. 4.
In addition to being a solid running back, he's pretty good on the track. Feaster ran the 100-meter dash in 10.42 seconds. He ran the 40-yard dash at The Opening in 4.38.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Feaster is an athlete who can do it all at the next level. He runs well, catches out of the backfield and in the slot and can block in 3rd-and-long situations.
Feaster is the type of player who could put on 10 pounds of muscle and not be affected. He'll still have great speed and overall vision.
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