National Signing Day 2012: Tracking the Top 25 Running Back Prospects

Continuing today's simple tracking theme, we move on to the running backs.

This year, we have several talented rock-toters who I think can play as freshmen and several others I think will be starters after a year or two. I'm just going to give you the latest with the top 25 RBs on my board and that will be that.

Here we go.

25. Vonte Jackson (Wisconsin)

No change here, Jackson is still set for Wisconsin. He's part of a smaller Badger class, but is one of the many quality talents in the class, nonetheless. He should be welcomed to Wisconsin mightily. 

24. Jonathan Williams (Arkansas)

Williams is a decisive runner that is bound for the Arkansas. He'll have a chance to learn from Knile Davis and I think he should be great as a hog. Not much is different with him lately.

23. Drew Harris (Virginia Tech)

Harris committed to Virginia Tech this September, but Pitt came on strong in the past recent weeks. However, he's a Hokie. He's a big back at 6'1", 205 pounds and Blacksburg will love him. 

22. Keivarae Russell (Notre Dame)

No change here since our last look at Russell, he's Irish. His quickness and speed will fit well with Brian Kelly's spread offense. He should add much needed explosion to the Irish squad.

21. Jovon Robinson (Auburn)

No change, as Robinson is headed for Auburn. Robinson will give Gene Chizik a 6'1", 220-pound downhill attacker. Scot Loefflerr will like him plenty.

20. Kenyan Drake (Alabama)

Drake is one part of the speedy two-man RB tandem slated for Tuscaloosa this year. He looks solid to the Tide and will sign next Wednesday.

19. Byron Marshall (Oregon)

A great and exclusive perimeter runner, Marshall is still set for Oregon. He'll try to steal some carries next year away from Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas.

18. Mike Davis (South Carolina)

Davis was committed to Florida, but he is now headed to South Carolina. He's dangerous in the open field and his frame is thicker than what I imagined. He could be the next in line when Marcus Lattimore leaves.

17. D.J. Foster (Uncommitted)

Foster will be making his choice today, and it will be either Arizona State, USC or Cal. I think the Sun Devils could win this.

16. Warren Ball (Ohio State)

Ball is a lock to go to Ohio State. He pledged early in the process and during all the scandal and coaching turmoil, he never wavered. No change at all with him.

15. William Mahone (Notre Dame)

Mahone is headed to Notre Dame, and nothing is really new. He's 6'0" and around 200 pounds. He and Keivarare Russell should form a good future tandem in South Bend.

14. Brian Kimbrow (Vanderbilt)

Kimbrow told Scout.com at the Army game workouts that he was solid to Vandy, and darn it, he is. He could play RB, WR or even some DB.

13. Greg Garmon (Iowa)

The Hawkeyes have a really good one incoming in Garmon. He's already 6'2" and 200 pounds. I think some programs wanted him as a defensive player, but Garmon wants to tote the rock. Kirk Ferentz will oblige.

12. Alex Ross (Oklahoma)

With Brandon Williams bolting for College Station, Ross' commitment to OU has only become more important. The 6'1", 205-pounder should develop into a solid player in Norman.

11. Mario Pender (Florida State)

West Virginia and Tennessee tried to pry Pender away from FSU, but in the end, Pender is headed to his dream school.  With his size, speed, and just dangerous skill set, don't be shocked to see him in the NFL in the not too distant future.

10. Wes Brown (Maryland)

Not much change here, Brown committed to Maryland at the start of this year and is sticking with it. He will give Randy Edsall a great RB in the future and maybe even an immediate contributor.

9. Trey Williams (Texas A&M)

Williams flirted with Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Arkansas, but he's solid to the Aggies now. He will sign with Kevin Sumlin next Wednesday.

8. Brionte Dunn (Ohio State)

Dunn is solid to Ohio State and will sign on NSD. He flirted with Michigan, Miami and Penn State and wavered a lot, but he's a Buckeye solidly now.

7. Matt Jones (Florida)

Jones is solid to Florida, no ifs, ands or buts. No wavering. Pure conviction. Next...

6. Barry Sanders Jr. (Stanford)

The young Sanders is locked into Stanford. David Shaw beat out Oklahoma State for the scat back and The Farm will be home to him for the next four years.

5. T.J. Yeldon (Alabama)

The latest with Yeldon is that he will enroll early at Alabama. He's 6'1", 215 pounds and gives the Tide another young and speedy back along with Dee Hart and Kenyan Drake.

4. Duke Johnson (Miami)

The Duke will be at Miami, come hell or high water. It's his dream school and he's a Dade County guy on par with DJ Khaled. No change here.

3. Rushel Shell (Pitt)

With Todd Graham leaving for Arizona State, I thought Shell would begin to look around. But it appears he's set on Pitt and not wavering.

2. Keith Marshall (Georgia)

Marshall was close to verballing to Clemson, but in the end it was Georgia. He's set for Athens and will likely be there for spring practices.

1. Johnathan Gray (Texas)

What else can I say about Gray? Seriously? He's the top RB in the country, is the most complete and college-ready runner and he's slated for Texas.