B/R Recruiting CFB 200: Top Running Backs of 2017 Class
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 2017. Here we present the Top Running Backs.
Big-play ability out of the offensive backfield provides a pivotal boost for an entire attack by keeping a defense honest. Consistent effectiveness from a team's collection of running backs can keep heat off its quarterback and wear down an opposing defense over the course of four quarters.
The 2017 recruiting class is loaded with elite talent at the position, providing perhaps as much promise of any group since a 2014 crop that included current college football stars such as Leonard Fournette, Nick Chubb, Christian McCaffrey, Royce Freeman and Dalvin Cook.
Immense expectations will greet many of these playmakers when they arrive on the college campus of their choice. Several members of this collection can make an immediate difference as ball-carriers or pass targets, placing them in the mix to play key roles during a pursuit for 2017 College Football Playoff spots.
Our B/R Recruiting CFB 200 series rolls on with a closer look at top-rated running backs, who were assessed based on a criteria of speed, power, agility, vision, ball security and receiving skills.
Player order and star ratings based on 247Sports' composite rankings through July 21. Unless otherwise noted, player stats are courtesy of 247Sports.
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18. 4-star RB Kylin Hill,
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Mississippi State
The Bulldogs bagged a local stud who can do serious damage in every-down duties. Hill implements violent explosiveness when approaching the trenches and shows excellent burst within the 15-yard range. He's a fighter in the fray, dragging defenders in pursuit for additional gains on his way down. Hill rushed for 1,750 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2015, adding 336 yards and three scores through the air.
17. 4-star RB A.J. Davis,
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Louisville, Oklahoma and South Carolina
Versatility stands out most in Davis' skill set since there are promising traits as both receiver and rusher in play. He's a force with the football, blending above-average vision and strength to gain tough yardage at any angle of attack. Davis gained 1,671 rushing yards last fall, according to Roy Fuocu of the Ledger, and should surpass 4,000 total high school yards early this season.
16. 4-star RB Sione Heimuli-Lund,
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Stanford
This is a prospect who could contribute mightily on either side of the ball in Palo Alto, as his size (6'0 ½", 237 lbs) and defensive skills make him an alluring linebacker prospect. If he sticks to offense, Stanford gains a north-south aggressor who can serve as an effective short-yardage rusher and perhaps fight for starter's carries down the line. Heimuli-Lund collected 1,184 rushing yards (10.5 per carry), 14 touchdowns and 123 tackles last season, according to Trevor Phibbs of the Salt Lake Tribune.
15. 4-star RB Brian Robinson,
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama
Often lost in the shuffle due to the presence of fellow Crimson Tide commit and No. 1 overall running back recruit Najee Harris, this local product possess talent to exceed expectations in Tuscaloosa. Standing 6'2", 216 pounds, Robinson is a relentless ball-carrier between the tackles and offers enough burst to do damage along the perimeter when called upon. His 2015 effort featured a 447-yard, four-touchdown performance in September, according to AL.com.
14. 4-star RB Eno Benjamin,
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Iowa
A compact rusher capable of carrying a 20-carry workload in games throughout his college career, Benjamin is a bit of a battering ram at 5'9 ½", 204 pounds. He doesn't display elite breakaway speed, but there are few rivals in this cycle from a standpoint of seeing things develop downfield and attacking seams, setting him apart from several swifter backs. Benjamin has dominated throughout high school, collecting 4,942 yards and 74 touchdowns on 707 carries.
13. 4-star RB Trey Sermon,
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Oklahoma
Sermon won't consistently sprint past defenses in college but is certainly capable of running over his fair share of opponents during the years to come. A pure power back at 6'0 ½", 215 pounds, his long frame and extended strides make him a nightmare to bring down in one-on-one confrontations. He rushed for 609 yards and seven touchdowns on 110 carries during a junior campaign abbreviated by injury, according to Eric Rutter of TodaysU.com.
12. 4-star RB Zaquandre White,
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida State
White will be a tone-setter in Tallahassee, unleashing vicious blows at the point of contact. An angry, upright runner, his rushing style is well suited for goal-line situations, and he can consistently punish opponents as part of a backfield tandem, ideally paired with a shiftier speed back. His junior season featured a 372-yard, five-touchdown effort against Cape Coral High School, according to David Dorsey of the News-Press, and 956 total rushing yards in just five contests.
11. 4-star RB Adarius Lemons,
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida
Built like a tank, Lemons bursts through the trenches with force and follows with top-level track speed to quickly gain separation into the defensive secondary, which he navigates with exceptional downfield vision. Lemons netted 1,986 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground in 2014 and '15.
10. 4-Star Toneil Carter
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Height/Weight: 5'10 ½", 194 lbs
High School: Langham Creek (Houston)
Composite Ranking: No. 7 running back; No. 112 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia
New Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart added another key piece to his astoundingly successful first full-cycle class in Athens earlier this month when Toneil Carter committed at The Opening. Georgia overcame efforts on behalf of fellow SEC suitors Texas A&M and LSU in this pursuit.
Bleacher Report Analysis
An intensely aggressive rushing style should prove quite endearing to Bulldogs fans. Carter is a true closer, capping off rushing attempts with a violent burst (20/20 power) and putting games away late by moving the chains with authority.
At his best in a one-cut-and-go setting, Carter commands respect from opponents inside and along the edge. Though he isn't considered one of the true burners in this class and won't wiggle away from contact on a regular basis, his straight-line acceleration (4.56-second 40-yard dash at The Opening) must be accounted for by defenders.
Carter seems to gain energy as a game advances deeper toward the final horn, helping an offensive attack stay afloat during make-or-break moments that ultimately determine the outcome of matchups. He collected 2,588 yards and 36 touchdowns as a rusher during the past two seasons.
9. 4-Star Ty Chandler
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Height/Weight: 5'11 ½", 194 lbs
High School: Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tennessee)
Composite Ranking: No. 6 running back; No. 104 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Southern California
Considered the No. 6 overall prospect in Tennessee composite rankings, Ty Chandler is naturally a prized prospect for the in-state Volunteers. However, elevated interest is in play across the country, and he expressed plans to spend time at USC and potentially Ohio State this season, according to Ryan Callahan of 247Sports.
Tennessee continued to gain traction as the leader in his 247Sports crystal ball, but SEC foe Ole Miss is lurking as a primary competitor for this coveted commitment.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Easily among the most balanced rushers in this recruiting cycle, Chandler excels in just about every task a collegiate coaching staff can assign. His blend of speed and power (37/40) was rarely surpassed in breakdowns of 2017 running backs, putting him in rare territory as an every-down weapon regardless of down and distance.
This sentiment becomes even further entrenched when you factor in his above-average skills as a receiver (14/15). Chandler can run routes with effectiveness out of the backfield or split out wide to give a defense different coverage obligations depending on personnel.
Once he wins the starting job in college, it's easy to envision he'll become a bell-cow back who rarely leaves the field. Chandler charged through opponents for 2,558 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns in 2015, per MaxPreps, scoring twice on kickoff returns.
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8. 4-Star Cordarrian Richardson
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Height/Weight: 5'11", 220 lbs
High School: Trezevant (Memphis, Tennessee)
Composite Ranking: No. 5 running back; No. 88 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Clemson
Clemson claimed yet another dynamic weapon for its deep offensive arsenal in March when Cordarrian Richardson climbed aboard another strong Tigers class. He pledged to the reigning ACC champions following a campus visit, spurning alternative offers from schools such as Florida State, Georgia and Auburn.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Few teams in America will implement a more impressive corps of receivers than Clemson during Richardson's time on campus, and he's a perfect complement to that promising aerial assault. His penchant for plowing over opponents (19/20 power) should provide plenty of punch up the middle for a staff that loves to stretch things out.
Impressive lower-body strength allows him to churn through tackles, and Richardson always seems to finish runs with forward momentum. He's quick enough (18/20 speed) to break an occasional long-distance dash, but his best work will be done as a devastatingly tough runner who wears teams down deep into a matchup.
There's little wasted motion after Richardson acquires the ball, as he quickly identifies and exploits lanes (19/20 vision). He rushed for 2,390 yards (9.3 per attempt) and 18 touchdowns in 2015, per MaxPreps, capping off a commanding campaign with 342 yards on 41 carries in Trezevant High School's state title game victory.
7. 4-Star Anthony McFarland Jr.
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Height/Weight: 5'9", 203 lbs
High School: DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Maryland)
Composite Ranking: No. 3 all-purpose back; No. 59 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Maryland and Miami
After missing on its most important in-state offensive target (quarterback Dwayne Haskins) last cycle, Maryland is focused on keeping Anthony McFarland Jr. home. A new Terrapins regime has been diligent in attempts to impress the local playmaker, but competitors loom large.
Miami, in particular, appears to pose a significant threat. McFarland's relationship with the Hurricanes staff dates back to head coach Mark Richt's days at Georgia, a university he viewed among favorites earlier in the process.
Bleacher Report Analysis
McFarland may be just as intriguing at receiver as he is at running back. His hands (15/15) rival any in this group, and precise route-running actually exceeds the efforts of many blue-chip receiver recruits.
Expect McFarland to become a routine target in the passing attack of whichever offense welcomes him into the fold next year. However, it's hard to imagine he will transition away from the backfield altogether.
McFarland lacks the height of other rushers on this list, but a formidable physique and strong lower body provide more power (17/20) than opponents anticipate before contact, while solid speed (4.53-second 40-yard dash at The Opening) allows him to gain separation. He gained 1,651 rushing yards on just 173 carries in 2014 and '15 combined, adding 40 receptions for 698 yards and eight scores.
6. 4-Star J.K. Dobbins
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Height/Weight: 5'9 ½", 199 lbs
High School: La Grange (La Grange, Texas)
Composite Ranking: No. 2 all-purpose back; No. 44 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Ohio State
J.K. Dobbins follows the footsteps of current Buckeyes J.T. Barrett (quarterback) and Demetrius Knox (offensive lineman) as Lone Star State high school studs who opted for a collegiate career in Columbus. In an unorthodox move, he committed to Ohio State in March before ever visiting campus, according to Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com.
This pledge was quite a feat for head coach Urban Meyer considering Dobbins holds offers from powerhouse programs in much closer proximity, including Oklahoma and Texas.
Bleacher Report Analysis
The Buckeyes continue to stockpile scintillating options at H-back, and Dobbins projects as a special player in Meyer's scheme. Equipped with enough speed (19/20) to challenge defenses deep or beat defenders to the edge, he's a scoring threat any time the ball finds him.
He doesn't need space to maneuver, as he's able to make opponents whiff (14/15 agility) with regularity and split secondaries. This ability to dodge defenders also shines off the snap in a receiver role, so expect him to challenge for a variety of roles in Ohio State's spread attack.
Dobbins started his high school career as an impact pass target, tallying 18 receptions for 405 yards and four scores as a freshman. He emerged with authority in the run game as a sophomore and junior, racking up 4,971 rushing yards and 74 total touchdowns.
His performance at The Opening earned him Nike Football Ratings Championship MVP honors. The effort featured a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, 4.09 shuttle, 42-foot power ball toss and 43.1-inch vertical leap.
5. 4-Star Khalan Laborn
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Height/Weight: 5'10", 199 lbs
High School: Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Composite Ranking: No. 1 all-purpose back; No. 42 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida State
Khalan Laborn announced intentions to join the Seminoles in memorable fashion, emerging from an FSU-themed Lamborghini and sprinting onto the field for competitive drills at The Opening with a Florida State flag in his hands. He was widely expected to land in Tallahassee despite reciprocated interest with Virginia Tech and Auburn.
This decision will reunite him with freshman Seminoles defensive back Levonta Taylor, a former teammate at Ocean Lakes High School (where Laborn played prior to a transfer).
Bleacher Report Analysis
Florida State secures an outstanding complement to fellow 2017 running back pledge Zaquandre White, who provides plenty of power between the tackles. Laborn definitely provides the "lightning" to White's "thunder" in this promising duo, bringing electrifying skills to a backfield and beyond.
Not only is he quick and shifty (32/35 combined for speed and agility), but there's a tremendous element of anticipation to his downfield approach. Laborn, who can also pound the rock with violence (17/20 power), bursts to the next level with elite vision (20/20) and accelerates into space to prevent opponents from gaining an angle in the open field.
Aside from diverse possibilities behind the quarterback, he can also contribute as a capable receiver and dangerous kick returner. Laborn averaged 10.8 yards per carry as a junior, according to MaxPreps, gaining 2,228 yards on the ground with 32 rushing touchdowns.
4. 4-Star D'Andre Swift
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Height/Weight: 5'9 ½", 214 lbs
High School: St. Joseph's (Philadelphia)
Composite Ranking: No. 4 running back; No. 33 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Penn State
Penn State emerged among early pursuers for Philadelphia phenom D'Andre Swift, but the Nittany Lions welcomed plenty of company over the course of this recruitment. He's visited Georgia multiple times since the new Bulldogs staff arrived and has enjoyed consistent communication with Clemson.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Swift looks like a much different running back than the one we encountered at the start of his sophomore season. Now weighing well over 200 pounds, he's added nearly 10 pounds of muscle since last summer without sacrificing his trademark breakaway speed (19/20).
An excellent receiver (15/15), Swift can extend offensive drives with tremendous burst off short-yardage throws and is a threat to take one to the house in the event of a defensive lapse. His vision and anticipation rank among the best of this running back class, and those traits could suit him well in a collegiate kick return role.
3. 5-Star Stephen Carr
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Height/Weight: 6'0", 202 lbs
High School: Summit HS (Fontana, California)
Composite Ranking: No. 3 running back; No. 16 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to USC
Stephen Carr remains a paramount member of the Trojans class despite a change at head coach since his initial commitment. The local playmaker pledged to former USC leader Steve Sarkisian as a sophomore, maintaining that pact even as interest mounted from Miami, Oklahoma, LSU and Alabama this spring.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Compact and agile (15/15), Carr is difficult to bring down in the open field, and gang-tackling is routinely required. He isn't a major burner but will beat down defensive efforts with a relentless attack-mode approach anchored by powerful legs (18/20).
Carr, who can also contribute with consistency as a receiver out of the backfield, breaks tackles in bunches but does a great job avoiding contact altogether by relying on excellent vision (19/20). His ability to impact an offense as an all-purpose weapon should expedite the quest for collegiate reps.
2. 5-Star Cam Akers
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Height/Weight: 5'11", 213 lbs
High School: Clinton HS (Clinton, Mississippi)
Composite Ranking: No. 2 running back; No. 9 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Ohio State
The Crimson Tide initially secured Cam Akers' commitment last August, pairing him with No. 1 overall running back prospect Najee Harris. However, this pact fell apart when he backed off the verbal pledge in March and followed with visits across the Southeast and north to Ohio State.
This process has a wide-open feel to it, but the Buckeyes may be in excellent position to pry away a top talent from SEC territory.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Built like a tank, Akers amazed during combine testing at The Opening. Weighing in among the heaviest running backs in attendance, he led all positional peers with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and nearly captured Nike Football Testing Championship MVP accolades.
Though Akers lines up at quarterback for Clinton High School, it's easy to see how his skills transfer to full-time rushing duties. His blend of speed (20/20) and power (20/20) goes unmatched in this class, resulting in 1,418 yards (8.4 per carry) and 16 touchdowns on the ground last fall.
He also flashed strong hands (14/15) at The Opening, providing an indication he could be ready for an every-down role early in college. If Akers strictly played running back these past few seasons, you wonder whether he would sit ahead of Harris at this stage of the cycle.
1. 5-Star Najee Harris
11 of 11Height/Weight: 6'3", 226 lbs
High School: Antioch HS (Antioch, California)
Composite Ranking: No. 1 running back; No. 1 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 97/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama
Najee Harris joined a long line of high-profile Crimson Tide running back pledges when he accepted an offer from Nick Saban in April 2015. Despite a longstanding commitment, speculation continues to swirl Harris could eventually opt to remain on the West Coast (with USC or UCLA) or bolt for another powerhouse program far from home (Ohio State and Michigan should be monitored).
Bleacher Report Analysis
Arguably the most complete prospect at his position since 2014 No. 1 overall recruit Leonard Fournette, Harris will encounter immense expectations when he arrives on a collegiate campus. He continues to grow more physically imposing and isn't far off from matching the high school measurements of Heisman Trophy-winning Alabama running back Derrick Henry (6'3", 240 lbs).
He won't rely solely on speed to torch defenses, though quickness (17/20) is indeed a strong suit, as he can methodically wear down an opponent with rare power (20/20). Harris gains momentum as a game wears on, and he's the kind of ball-carrier who can close out contests by picking up clock-milking first downs.
His ability to identify holes (20/20) allows him to pick up steam before encountering defenders, plowing through arm tackles with ease. Harris, who possesses better hands (15/15) than several blue-chip receiver recruits, surpassed 200 rushing yards in six matchups last fall, per MaxPreps, and punctuated his dominant campaign with a 390-yard, six-touchdown effort in a playoff defeat.
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