Ranking the ACC's Five Best Running Backs

The college football preview magazines are out, and the season starts in less than 90 days. At All About Sports , I want to start previewing the ACC, by ranking the conference's five best players at each position, then ending with predictions on each ACC team's season.

Let's see if your team's players make the list. I'll be starting with the running backs.

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1) Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

I think by the time Ryan Williams finishes his playing days at Virginia Tech, he'll be regarded as one of the ACC's best running backs ever. Yes he's that talented. I saw Williams play at last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl against Tennessee, where he ran for 117 yards, and was named the game's MVP. He just makes running the ball look effortless. He had over 1,600 rushing yards last year.

2) Montel Harris, Boston College

I said in an earlier article that Montel Harris was an ACC offensive player to watch for in 2010. He won't be coming in under the radar this season after gaining 1,457 yards last year. He already ranks 10th on Boston College's all-time rushing list. Harris isn't the fastest or most powerful runner you'll ever see. He just knows how to read holes, be patient, and then all of a sudden he has a six or seven yard gain.

3) Da'Rel Scott, Maryland

Da'Rel Scott is looking to recover from a broken wrist that kept him out of five games last year. In 2008 Scott was an All-ACC running back. He ran for 1,133 that year. Last year in limited action he had only 425 yards, but still averaged five yards a carry. When he's healthy he's one of the ACC's premier backs.

4) Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech

If Anthony Allen averages nearly 10 yards a carry as he did last year, suit him up for the Heisman trophy. He will play the B-Back position in Paul Johnson's triple option offense. You'll see Allen rack up yards by the ton in 2010. I actually think Allen may be shiftier than Jonathan Dwyer. I'm not sure if he has Dwyer's top-end speed though, but he's fast enough to outrun most secondaries. I expect a very productive season from him.

5) Darren Evans, Virginia Tech

This just isn't fair. The Hokies already boast Ryan Willams and now get back Darren Evans. Evans only was a freshman All-American in 2008, when he ran for over 1,200 yards. If he is fully recovered from last year's ACL injury he is without a doubt one of the ACC's top rushers. He's a powerful back that can run between the tackles. The only question will be how to split the carries between Williams and Evans.