Short Routes: Uncertainty at RB for USF, Michigan QB battle ongoing and more...

From Pete Dymeck's desk at Pro Draft Guide

The South Florida Bulls are looking to re-establish themselves as a national contender in 2008 but in the Tampa area, uncertainty abounds as star running back Mike Ford has yet to earn the starting gig. Keep an eye on this situation because we find it hard to believe that Benjamin Williams or Ricky Ponton are better rushers than Ford.

The Michigan Wolverines still have not named a starting quarterback for their August 30th opener versus the offensively potent Utah Utes. Steven Threet is considered to be winning the competition but throughout the season, we may see snaps from David Cone, Nick Sheridan, and even running back Carlos Brown, like we mentioned in the last Short Routes update.

Star freshman running back Stephfon Green from Penn State is reportedly going to receiver 10-15 carries per game, cutting into the reps Evan Royster will see. Green put on quite a show during the Nittany Lions Blue-White spring game but will that translate to success on Saturday's in Happy Valley? Our insiders say it will. The Nittany Lions will be utilizing a new spread HD offense where two running backs will utilized often. Green could be the next superstar running back hailing from a great Penn State lineage that includes former Pittsburgh Steeler great Franco Harris.

One of the Southeastern Conference's top defensive players will miss the next 6-8 weeks after needing surgery to alleviate some of the pressure on his right foot, which was caused by a stress fracture. Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy, the Rebels leading defensive returner, is a bonafide stud. This defense could look dire without him on the field.

Coaches are raving about running back Keola Antolin's ability in the southwestern desert. Antolin, a freshman running back for the Arizona Wildcats is taking full advantage of the opportunity given to him right now. His head coach, Mike Stoops, has compared Antolin's running style to Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren Sproles.

Not many running backs have piled on the carries that running back Arian Foster has in the past three years at Tennessee. With that said, Foster has been diagnosed with a bone bruise after missing practice earlier in the week. We want to raise a red flag with him since this could obviously come back and haunt him when he is being medically evaluated right up before the 2009 NFL Draft.

This is all for now, stay tuned with Pete Dymeck on the Bleacher Report for more insider news that you will not find anywhere else.