College Football: Daniel Thomas And 10 RB's Flying Under the Radar
How does a running back who rushes for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns along the way to collect first team all-Big 12 honors go relatively unnoticed?
That's the question that inspired this article.
For all of his preseason accolades, Kansas State's Daniel Thomas is rarely mentioned along with the likes of John Clay, Jacquizz Rodgers, Noel Devine, Dion Lewis and Mark Ingram.
Heading into his senior season, the former junior college quarterback is can't-miss NFL prospect who figures to run through the Big 12 and make the undermanned Wildcats at least somewhat competitive in the Big 12 North.
Here's a closer look at 10 running backs ready to burst onto the national stage this season:
No. 10: Andre Ellington, Clemson
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For now, the plan in Clemson is to attempt to replace the departed C.J. Spiller with the thunder-lightning combination of Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington.
By the middle of the season, Ellington could be flying solo in the Tigers' backfield.
Ellington has a similar build to Spiller and plenty of speed. He rushed for 491 yards on just 68 carries as a freshman and should easily reach the 1,000-yard plateau as a sophomore.
Clemson boasts one of the best offensive lines in the ACC and will lean heavily on the run game this season. Although the 230-pound Harper might get the bulk of the work around the goal line, Ellington will certainly have a huge impact.
No. 9: Chris Polk, Washington
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Jake Locker's backfield mate looks to take his game to the next level as he enters his sophomore season.
The 5-11, 214-pound speedster was named to the Maxwell Award watch list after rushing for 1,113 yards and five touchdowns last season.
The Huskies will likely use the versatile Polk in the receiving game more heavily in 2010, giving him the potential to produce some impressive all-purpose numbers.
Polk has been bothered by shoulder problems throughout his career, which is certainly something to keep an eye on throughout the season. He sat out spring drills after having surgery on the troublesome shoulder and is expected to finally be at 100 percent this fall.
That could spell big trouble for opposing defenses in the Pac-10.
No. 8: Derrick Locke, Kentucky
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Despite suffering a serious knee injury as a sophomore, the speedy Locke remains one of the most dynamic playmakers in the SEC.
After rushing for 907 yards and six touchdowns last season, Locke appears poised for bigger and better things in his senior campaign.
The Wildcats utilize Locke in the passing game and also as the primary kick returner. Providing that Kentucky gets consistent quarterback play, Locke and teammate Randall Cobb will provide matchup nightmares for opposing defenses this season.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 7: Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech
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After getting lost in a crowded backfield at Louisville, Allen moved on to Paul Johnson's flexbone attack in Atlanta.
Although it provided a relatively small sample size, Allen's body of work last season was extremely impressive. He rushed for 618 yards on 64 attempts last season, good for an impressive 9.7 yards per carry. More of a big-play threat than his predecessor Jonathan Dwyer, he is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball.
Allen is slated to be the featured back in Johnson's system in his senior year and could surpass the 1,200-yard mark.
No. 6: Eddie Wide/Matt Asiata, Utah
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Asiata's season-ending knee injury opened the door for Las Vegas native Eddie Wide, who ran for 1,069 yards and 12 touchdowns and was named first-team all-Mountain West as a junior.
Now, with the physical Asiata ready to return, the Utes have one of the best running back platoons in college football.
Asiata is probably the more talented of the two players, but Wide is a bigger threat to take it the distance. Both players could challenge the 1,000-yard mark and make life miserable for opponents, including Pittsburgh in the season opener September 4.
The Utes could use Asiata in Wildcat formations this season in an effort to get both running backs on the field at the same time.
Utah will be an interesting team to watch as the season progresses and could even make a surprising run at the BCS.
No. 5: Bernard Pierce, Temple
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Pierce quietly produced one of the best seasons of any college freshman last season for the Owls, who have risen from the depths of college football to become a legitimate contender for postseason play.
The 6-0, 218-pound back quickly emerged as Temple's best offensive player last season, and finished the season with 1,361 yards and 16 touchdowns. He ran for over 200 yards in two games, including a 267-yard outburst against Navy.
The only question with Pierce is durability. He battled a shoulder injury late in the season and missed the better part of the final two games.
With uncertainty at quarterback, Pierce and backup running back Matt Brown will likely be force-fed the ball behind a burly offensive line that boasts five starters who weigh over 300 pounds.
No. 4: Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State
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Will the real Kendall Hunter please stand up?
Hunter was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award in 2008 after rushing for 1,555 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was an early favorite to win the award last season, but a nagging foot injury that limited his production and playing time.
The 5-8, 197-pound back finished with just 382 yards and a touchdown in 2009.
Now, Hunter has one more chance to shine.
New offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen brings a pass-happy spread attack from Houston, which should increase Hunter's productivity as a receiver.
Oklahoma State replaces four starters on the offensive line, including Russell Okung. Hunter's production is difficult to predict, and he certainly isn't the only talented running back on the 'Pokes roster.
No. 3: Donald Buckram, UTEP
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If Mike Price only had a defense in El Paso.
The Miners' have three very talented players on the offensive side of the ball who are returning this season, including running back Donald Buckram.
After being hampered by injuries throughout his career, Buckram rushed for 1,594 and 18 touchdowns in 2009. He also caught 30 passes for 453 yards and three touchdowns.
Buckram isn't the biggest back, but he is one of the fastest running backs on this list. His production is likely to decline a bit, assuming UTEP utilizes a more balanced attack that also features a fourth-year starter at quarterback in Trevor Vittatoe and a dynamic wide receiver in Kris Adams.
Both players regressed sharply last season, and Vittatoe struggled mightily with turnovers. A balanced attack could hurt Buckram's numbers, but he still has an outside shot at securing All-American honors in his senior season.
No. 2: Jordan Todman, UConn
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Todman burst onto the scene last year as a sophomore, when he and Andre Dixon provided the Huskies with a lethal 1-2 punch in the backfield.
Todman finished the season with 1,188 yards and 14 touchdowns. His signature game came against Notre Dame in November, when he ran for 130 yards and a touchdown and also returned a kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown.
His production could spike dramatically in his junior season now that he is the primary ball-carrier for Randy Edsall's team.
Todman's physical skills won't wow anyone, but he is a tough, physical player who runs with power and vision.
No. 1: Shane Vereen, Cal
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Vereen quietly had a phenomenal season in 2009, rushing for 952 yards and 12 touchdowns. Although he had showed flashes, there simply weren't enough carries to go around with Jahvid Best in the Bears' backfield for much of the season.
But after Best's frightening flip against Oregon State in early November, Vereen was finally thrust into the spotlight and shined brightly.
He finished the season strong, racking up 566 yards in the final four games, including a 196-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Big Game against Stanford.
Best's decision to forgo his senior season will certainly benefit Vereen, who is one of the biggest home run threats in all of college football.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
