2015 Running Back Recruits Who Have Game-Breaking Speed

With the recent trend of spread and tempo-based offenses taking over college football, more teams are coveting versatile running backs who can hurt defenses on the ground and through the air.

The 2015 recruiting class has its share of rushers who are threats to change the scoreboard every time they touch the ball.

Some of these backs are smallish, all-purpose backs, while others are capable of running through or around defenders.

Which backs in the 2015 class possess game-breaking speed?

*Backs listed in alphabetical order.

Dominic Davis

At 5’10”, 175 pounds, Dominic Davis has excelled as a two-way standout playing both running back and cornerback for Bishop Alemany (California) High School. 

However, he’s slated to take his blazing quickness to USC’s backfield to play for the Trojans after committing to Steve Sarkisian earlier this week, according to Scott Schrader of FightOn247.

The newest commitment in USC’s 2015 class is listed as having a time of 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash on his 247Sports profile.

Considering his versatility and his ability to operate in open space, Davis will give Sarkisian and his staff a dynamic new weapon who is capable of burning defenses with the big play.

Johnny Frasier

If you’re looking for an explosive back with size and the speed to go the distance at any given snap, 4-star Florida State pledge Johnny Frasier is your man.

Over the course of his sophomore and junior seasons, Frasier rushed for 4,834 yards and 66 touchdowns while averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

He also averaged scoring once every seven times he touched the ball. 

The 5’11”, 220-pounder with a sub-4.5 40 time is the latest in a long line of stud athletes who are headed to play for Jimbo Fisher in Tallahassee.

Taj Griffin

It’s almost fitting that 4-star Georgia native Taj Griffin put on a show in Oregon this summer at The Opening.

The future Oregon Duck tore up the SPARQ testing at the camp held for the nation’s top prep players, as he ran a 4.31 time in the 40-yard dash. 

With his combo of blinding speed and freakish athleticism, the 5’10”, 175-pounder is the perfect fit for Mark Helfrich’s uptempo attack. 

In a class filled with explosive athletes, pound-for-pound, Griffin may be the most electric running back in the country.

Derrius Guice

Last year, Leonard Fournette was the nation’s top back and the top prospect in the talent-laden state of Louisiana. 

This year, LSU pledge Derrius Guice is the top rusher from the Pelican State. Guice doesn’t carry the same hype that surrounded Fournette’s recruitment, but the 4-star back has displayed a tendency to be an explosive all-around rusher.

According to Sonny Shipp of Geaux247 (subscription required), through seven games, Guice has carried the ball 89 times for 985 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those numbers break down to averages of a cool 11 yards per carry and a score once every eight times he touches the ball.

With that type of production, the 5’11”, 219-pound Guice has proven to be a back who can take it to the house any time the ball is in his hands.

Bryce Love

Speed is the one trait that defines the game of 4-star all-purpose back Bryce Love.

The 5’10”, 180-pounder busted off a time of 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the SPARQ testing held at The Opening this summer. 

Entering his senior season, Love had rushed for 3,068 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

Love—who has Tennessee, North Carolina, N.C. State, Florida and Virginia Tech among his primary group of suitors—is one of the top big-play threats available in the 2015 class.

Kirk Merritt

In a camp that featured the nation’s top athletes, it was Louisiana speedster Kirk Merritt who took home the SPARQ national championship at The Opening, according to B/R’s Tyler Donohue. 

The 5’11”, 206-pounder turned in a dominant showing in drills, highlighted by his 4.46 time in the 40-yard dash. 

That time was a marked improvement from the time he posted at the New Orleans NFTC months earlier, as he told Donohue.

"My 40-yard dash performance was huge," Merritt said. "My main focus while training for this was to improve that time. I ran a 4.60 at the New Orleans Nike camp and knew I'd need to improve on that, so I focused on getting faster for this competition and it paid off."

Merritt’s combo of size and speed are part of what makes him one of the nation’s premier skill players who have yet to make a commitment in the 2015 cycle.

Jordan Scarlett

When compared to speedier backs such as Griffin and Love, Jordan Scarlett is more of a big back. 

However, despite weighing more than 30 pounds over those two rushers, Scarlett posted a ridiculous time of 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the SPARQ testing during The Opening. 

Per Nate Adelson of InsideTheU (subscription required), the 5’11”, 210-pound Scarlett—who is committed to Miami—has rushed for 501 yards and nine touchdowns through seven games while averaging nearly seven yards per carry.

Scarlett has all the necessary tools to become the next great running back to come through the storied ‘Canes program.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports and all 40-yard dash times courtesy of Student Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani