College Football 2011: Predicting the NCAA's Top 15 Running Backs

The 2011 college football season holds numerous amounts of terrific athletes at the running back position. Whether it be in the Sun Belt conference or the Big 12, we are surrounded by talent.

April's NFL draft showed 29 RBs selected, proving that last year's dexterity at the position was abundant. Although it'll be difficult to surpass this, the NCAA's leading tailbacks in '11 will be nothing short of extraordinary.

This list wasn't easy, but here is my prediction for the best running backs in college football.

15. Ed Wesley, TCU

Ed Wesley is the first TCU running back since Robert Merrill in 2003 to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.

He has incredible speed and finds the holes in the defense like a pro.  His ability to avoid tacklers and change directions at any given moment makes him a headache for opposing defensive coordinators.

And with quarterback Andy Dalton no longer in the mix, a star-power shift will most likely take place to the RB position.

2010 Stats:

166 ATT

1,078 YDS

(6.5 YPC)

11 TD

2011 Prediction:

233 ATT

1,428 YDS

(6.1 YPC)

17 TD

14. Montel Harris, Boston College

Boston College's Montel Harris needs just 1,003 yards to break the ACC’s 33-year-old record for career rushing yardage.

No problem.

The upcoming senior is on pace to possibly break 5,000 career yards on the ground. The conference's record stands at 4,602.

And although he may share the ball a bit with Andre Williams and Tahj Kimble due to some lingering minor injuries, he'll undoubtedly be a huge impact on the offensive attack.



2010 Stats:

269 ATT

1,243 YDS

(4.6 YPC)

8 TD


2011 Prediction:

260 ATT

1,255 YDS

(4.8 YPC)

10 TD

13. Lance Dunbar, North Texas

North Texas running back Lance Dunbar has been named the 2011 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, according to the school's official athletic website.

He's also been nominated to the Doak Walker Award watch list.

The 5'9", 200-pound scat-back is a very versatile runner that is best when between the tackles. His vision is excellent, as he is able to find the hole before it even opens up.

Dunbar is the best athlete to go through North Texas in awhile, and is arguably the greatest "small school" running back throughout the NCAA.


2010 Stats:

274 ATT

1,553 YDS

(5.7 YPC)

13 TD


2011 Prediction:

283 ATT

1,641 YDS

(5.8 YPC)

16 TD

12. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State

Ronnie Hillman, who was named the Mountain West freshman of the year, was first among has class in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with just over 108 yards rushing per game.

He also broke the school's single-season freshman record for yards on the ground (1,304).

And he's just getting started.

With the departure of coach Brady Hoke and the hiring of Ryan Long, Hillman may be given even more opportunities to excel in 2011.

Long primarily uses a run-first type of offense.  With the offensive line returning and being as good as it is, Ryan Lindley may find himself throwing the ball a little less than he did last year—and Hillman finding the endzone more often.


2010 Stats:

262 ATT

1,532 YDS

(5.8 YPC)

17 TD


2011 Prediction:

281 ATT

1,714 YDS

(6.1 YPC)

18 TD

11. Dan Herron, Ohio State

Dan "Boom" Herron is suspended for the first five games in 2011, but this won't stop him from putting up productive numbers.

Although he's only 5'10", 200 pounds, Herron runs with a lot of power. He's strong in between the tackles and won't hesitate to run an opponent over. He runs with confidence and I.Q., relying on his massive legs to carry him to the endzone.

And he'll continue doing so beginning on October 8, when the Buckeyes go on the road to face the Big Ten's newly added Nebraska Cornhuskers.

And according to the NFL's draft site, "Boom" is projected to fall to the St. Louis Rams in the second round.



2010 Stats:

216 ATT

1,155 YDS

(5.3 YPC)

16 TD



2011 Prediction:

155 ATT

731 YDS

(4.7 YPC)

8 TD

10. Chris Polk, Washington

Two words come to mind when the name Chris Polk is brought to attention—big play.

The speedy tailback from California had nine games in which he had at least one run over 24 yards last season, and five over 31.

He rushed for over 100 yards in six different games, including a 284-yard performance against Washington State.

Polk's versatility allows him to make plays through the air as well. He caught 22 balls for 180 yards in 2010, and will look to extend those numbers.

The junior will be taking on a bigger role in 2011 with the departure of star QB Jake Locker.

2010 Stats:

260 ATT

1,415 YDS

(5.4 YPC)

9 TD


2011 Prediction:

298 ATT

1,550 YDS

(5.2 YPC)

13 TD

9. Doug Martin, Boise State

Boise State's Doug Martin is on the Maxwell Award watch list for 2011.

He is poised to be the Bronco's starting RB—given the graduation of Jeremy Avery and Jarvis Hodge—and will make every attempt to bulster his NFL resume.

Martin has scored 27 times off of 354 career attempts. This means he finds the pylon every 13.1 carries.

If he continues this pattern in '11, Martin will score nearly 20 touchdowns, not including his outstanding ability to catch the ball.

Therefore, he will be an impact player this season and will be a threat to defenses every time he has the ball in his hands.


2010 Stats:

201 ATT

1,260 YDS

(6.3 YPC)

12 TD


2011 Prediction:

245 ATT

1,498 YDS

(6.1 YPC)

18 TD

8. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati

Connecticut's Jordan Todman led the Big East with 1,695 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2010. Bilal Powell, Delone Carter and Dion Lewis trailed closely behind, leaving Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead as the conference's No. 5 rusher last season.

He is the only one returning from that list, making the versatile tailback the favorite to lead the Big East in rushing yards this year.

Pead averaged 6.6 yards per carry in 2010. This statistic goes unappreciated when Cincinnati's offensive line struggled year round.

The Bearcats were 3-1 when Pead rushed for more than 100 yards last season—their one loss was a 31-29 defeat against No. 8 Oklahoma (he rushed for 169).

Pead has gradually seen the ball more and more throughout his college career. If Cincinnati wants to make another run at the Big East title, he will have to contribute big time.

My guess is that it'll again be right in the thick of things, giving Pead plenty of opportunities to expand last year's numbers.


2010 Stats:

157 ATT

1,029 YDS

(6.6 YPC)

6 TD


2011 Prediction:

220 ATT

1,474 YDS

(6.7 YPC)

11 TD

7. Knile Davis, Arkansas

The Ryan Mallett-era gave Arkansas the name as a pass-first offensive team.

This no longer stands relevant as of now.

ESPN's K.C. Joyner predicted Knile Davis to be the SEC's top rusher in 2011—above Michael Dyer, Trent Richardson and Marcus Lattimore—which would possibly bring his name into the Heisman contention.

It's controversial, I'm sure. But there's no doubt that Davis can run the ball, and he will be leading his Razorbacks on the offensive attack to what could be a surprisingly good season for Arkansas.


2010 Stats:

204 ATT

1,322 YDS

(6.5 YPC)

13 TD


2011 Prediction:

231 ATT

1,455 YDS

(6.3 YPC)

15 TD

6. Trent Richardson, Alabama

If we haven't seen it already, we'll finally get to observe what Trent Richardson can do.

He is yet another of the 66 players named for the watch list of the 2011 Maxwell Award, which will go to the nation's most outstanding player.

The junior has ran for 1,451 yards and 14 touchdowns during his two years backing up Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.

His fast-pace, hard-nosed style of pounding the football makes him a huge playmaker. Richardson battles for every inch when running, and he usually gets it—the monster, erm, tailback, benches a maximum of 515 pounds.

Nick Saban may turn to run the ball a little more often this year.

2010 Stats:

112 ATT

700 YDS

(6.3 YPC)

6 TD


2011 Prediction:

271 ATT

1,734 YDS

(6.4 YPC)

18 TD

5. James White, Wisconsin

When doesn't Wisconsin have an outstanding running back?

James White possesses excellent feet and always runs with power. He doesn't hold back when rumbling through the holes his amazing offensive line provides. His great hands also makes him a weapon in the passing game, giving him the versatile threat every coach loves to have.

Although the Badgers will still utilize Montee Ball, White is expected to get the bulk of the carries, just as he did last year as a freshman.

And with quarterback Russell Wilson transferring to Wisconsin, the offense should run smoother than ever.
 

2010 Stats:

156 ATT

1,052 YDS

(6.7 YPC)

14 TD


2011 Prediction:

280 ATT

1,792 YDS

(6.4 YPC)

22 TD

4. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

Cyrus Gray has been voted into the Big 12's preseason All-American team, according to ESPN.

And he won't stop there.

Gray's quickness makes him dangerous outside the tackles. This combined with his great balance makes him a threat in the open field, especially with the way he can change direction on a dime. Not only is he a shifty back, but he can rack up reception yards as well, as he had 251 in 2010.

Gray wasn't even the starter until week Week 8 after Christine Michael went down. In the following seven games, Texas A&M went 6-1 while Gray rushed for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had 100-plus yards in each of those performances.

According to the NFL's draft site, Gray is the No. 1 overall running back prospect for the class of 2012. Although he'll be the starter, he'll most likely share some carries with a healthy Michael.


2010 Stats:

200 ATT

1,133 YDS

(5.7 YPC)

12 TD

2011 Prediction:

262 ATT

1,546 YDS

(5.9 YPC)

17 TD

3. Michael Dyer, Auburn

As a freshman, Michael Dyer won a national championship. So what else is there to accomplish?

How about the Doak Walker Award, or even the Heisman Trophy?

Dyer, who was previously the No. 2 running back in the nation for the class of 2010, will be the go-to-guy for Auburn's offense this season. He runs low and gets most of his yards after contact; an offensive coordinator's dream. He's built to be a playmaker, and that's exactly what he does.

With Cam Newton no longer on the Tiger's squad, look for Dyer to pull out as the team's leader in offensive statistics.

2010 Stats:

182 ATT

1,093 YDS

(6.0 YPC)

5 TD


2011 Prediction:

238 ATT

1,476 YDS

(6.2 YPC)

15 TD

2. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

Lattimore turned  heads last season as a freshman, becoming the first South Carolina running back in a decade to rush for 1,000 yards.

And if that turned heads, he'll be breaking necks in 2011.

The Gamecock star utilized his massive upper body strength to pound his way through the tackles. He owns outstanding acceleration and feet, making him a threat to burst downfield at any given moment.

He is a Doak Walker Award candidate and a preseason SEC All-American, and very well could find himself as a Heisman finalist.

And with questions swirling around quarterback Stephen Garcia's status on the team, South Carolina could end up relying on Lattimore more than ever to keep producing.


2010 Stats:

249 ATT

1,197 YDS

(4.8 YPC)

17 TD


2011 Prediction:

278 ATT

1,473 YDS

(5.3 YPC)

20 TD

1. LaMichael James, Oregon

No surprise here.

LaMichael James is the epitome of athleticism. He has been timed as fast as a 4.32 second 40-yard dash and has absolutely incredible footwork, endurance, quickness and acceleration. James has been nearly unstoppable on an Oregon Ducks' squad that put up the nation's best 47 points per game.

The 5'9", 190-pound All-American running back was responsible for 144 of the team's 611 points (23.6 percent). He had 1,937 total yards and 24 touchdowns. James' best game came against Stanford, in which he ran for 257 yards and had three touchdowns.

He led the entire NCAA in rushing yards (1,731) and was the named the best running back in the nation when he received the Doak Walker Award.

James is likely the Heisman favorite (next to Landry Jones) and would be Oregon's first-ever winner.

It'll be interesting to see if he can repeat the statistics he put up in 2010, but with the way Chip Kelly runs offense, it could be no problem for LaMichael James.


2010 Stats:

294 ATT

1,731 YDS

(5.9 YPC)

21 TD


2011 Prediction:

310 ATT

1,860 YDS

(6.0 YPC)

21 TD