The Top Pac-10 Running Backs in 2010

Throughout most of its history, the Pac-10 has always been noted for its assortment of top running backs. In recent years, many Pac-10 teams have adopted some form of a pro-style West Coast offense that relies on the passing game as much, if not more, than the rush.

But even though quarterbacks have dominated over the past decade, the conference has not been without its share of notable running backs. In the early part of the decade, Justin Fargas was the rushing counterpart to Carson Palmer at USC.

Later, Reggie Bush and Lendale White were the Trojans’ lightning and thunder that balanced the passing of Matt Leinart. Across town, diminutive Maurice Jones-Drew lugged the pigskin for the Bruins.

During the past two seasons, Stanford’s Toby Gerhart put Pac-10 running backs back on the national map and became a Heisman finalist.

Up at Oregon, where the Ducks run a version of the spread offense, the quarterback has done as much running as passing. First there was Dennis Dixon, who almost led the Ducks to a Pac-10 title before a serious leg injured ended his senior season.

Then Jermiah Masoli stepped into Dixon’s shoes and did, in fact, lead the Ducks to a Pac-10 title this year, supplanting USC, which had held the title for seven consecutive seasons.

Jake Locker at Washington is another one of those Pac-10 quarterbacks who can do as much damage with his legs as his passing arm.

But even on a team like Oregon, where the running backs have to share rushing honors along with the quarterback, there has been no lack of thousand yard rushers. So, that’s where we begin our list of the top running backs in the Pac-10 for 2010.

The preseason premier running back has to be Oregon’s LaMichael James. When LaGarrett Blunt was suspended for punching a Boise State player after the Ducks’ opening game loss, James, a freshman, stepped up and had a tremendous year.

James ran for 1,546 yards on 230 carries for a sensational 6.72 average and an even more impressive nearly 119 yards per game.

Following closely behind James is another running back from the Pacific Northwest, Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers. A sophomore in 2009, Rodgers picked up 1,440 yards on 273 carries for a 5.27 average and nearly 111 yards per game.

No. 3 on the list is the Trojan Horse, Allan Bradford. Having to share time with a stable of running backs—including Pete Carroll’s favorite Joe McKnight, and Stafon Johnson—before his unfortunate weightlifting mishap, Bradford still managed to gain 668 yards on 115 carries for a respectable 5.81 average and over 51 yards per game.

While new head coach Lane Kiffin is following in Pete Carroll’s footsteps, don’t expect him to be a Carroll clone. Instead, I expect Kiffin to let this horse out of the stable and turn him loose on Pac-10 defenses. If Bradford can remain injury free, he should break the 1,000-yard barrier quite handily.

Fourth among Pac-10 running backs in 2010 is Washington’s Chris Polk. With second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian calling plays and Jake Locker returning for his senior season, defenses will be trying to stop Locker while Sarksian counters their efforts with Polk, who gained 1,113 yards last season on 226 carries for nearly five yards per carry and almost 93 yards per game.

The No. 5 running back, Shane Vereen of California, backed up Jahvid Best this past season. Although Jeff Tedford is considered a quarterback guru of sorts, he hasn’t been able to find that diamond in the rough over the last few years. So, I expect Vereen, who ran for 952 yards and a 5.2 average, to go over a thousand yards this season while Tedford tries to resurrect the Bears’ passing game.

We swing down to the desert to find the next two running backs. Nic Grigsby and Keola Antolin share the rushing duties for the Arizona Wildcats. Both are diminutive, like Jacquizz Rogers of Oregon State, and get lost behind the wide-bodied offensive linemen.

Grigsby, a senior in 2010, rushed for 567 yards this past season, while Antolin, a junior next season, accounted for 637 yards. Both are elusive runners.

UCLA’s Johnathan Franklin, a freshman last season, gained 566 yards on 126 carries for nearly 4.5 yard average. Like Shane Vereen at Cal, Franklin should have a productive year if Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow can get more consistency from the Bruin passing game.

Other notable running backs returning this year include Stepfan Taylor, who rushed for 303 yards while backing up Toby Gerhart at Stanford. Marc Tyler could have a great season at USC if he can stay healthy, but that has been a real problem for him ever since the end of his senior season in high school.

Curtis “Moody” McNeal, another one of those diminutive but elusive runners, could be the flash that offsets the power running of Allan Bradford for the Trojans.

Of course, there could always be some incoming freshmen who might get their college careers off to fast starts. The Oregon Ducks are fortunate to have not one, but two of them, and both are from Texas. 

Lache Seastrunk, 5'11'' 190 lbs., was the No. 6-ranked running back, while Dontae Williams, 5'11'' 198 lbs., was ranked No. 13. Both were four-star recruits.

Like Oregon, UCLA also picked up a pair of four-star running backs. Jordon James, 5'10'' 188 lbs. from Corona (CA) High School, was ranked No. 5. Malcolm Jones, 6'1'' 217 lbs. from Oaks Christian, was ranked No. 8.

Stanford also signed a four-star recruit at running back. Anthony Wilkerson, 5'11'' 213 lbs. from Tustin (CA) High School, was the No. 11-ranked running back. Washington signed the No. 19-ranked running back, Doeontae Cooper, 6'1'' 185 lbs. from Citrus Hill (CA) High School.

USC, which has maintained a stable of running backs throughout the Pete Carroll era, signed two notable athletes who can play several positions including running back. D.J. Morgan, the No. 7-ranked athlete from Taft High School in Woodland Hills, and Dillon Baxter, the No. 12-ranked athlete from Mission Bay High School in San Diego, could get some significant playing time in Lane Kiffin’s offense.

So these are the running backs to watch for this coming season in the Pac-10. It is always possible that we will have another Heisman finalist somewhere in this group. If not this coming season, then most likely in 2011.