2011 College Football Recruiting: The 10 Worst States For Running Backs

We gave you the best, now here are the worst. 

Last week we broke down the top 10 states for running back recruits in 2011 and this week we just couldn't resist taking a look at the flip side of that coin.

A word of warning, things can get a little ugly in here, but that's all a part of the fun. 

Hey, it's friday, loosen up a little bit. 

Here are the 10 worst states for running back recruits in 2011. 

The No Running Back States

If you really wanted to know where the worst places to find running backs for the 2011 recruiting class are then these are your "winners", but what's the fun in that. 

Here are states that failed to qualify for consideration because they do not have a single running back worthy of Division I consideration. 

- Alaska
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Wyoming 

10. Connecticut

Prospects: Five

Connecticut has three times as many 2-star prospects of any state on the list. Considering they only have three, that should give you a good idea of what's in store.

Max DeLorenzo, the 120th ranked running back on Scout, is the only one of the three that's committed. DeLorenzo will be staying in-state as he heads to UConn.

9. Idaho

Prospects: Seven

Idaho's seven prospects might not be rated, but the state still brings more prospects to the table than any other state on the list. 

That has to count for something. The difference between a 2-star prospect and an unrated prospect can be as simple as a lack of exposure.

8. Hawaii

Prospects: Five

Hawaii might have a 2-star prospect, which is more than the entire state of Idaho can claim, but quantity trumps quality when ranking things such as this. 

With Jesse Carney the only ranked running back from the state and four unrated prospects to join him, Hawaii barely escapes the top five. Or is it the bottom five?

7. Oregon

Prospects: Two

Oregon's only two running backs, Dominic Wooten and Jordan Talley haven't received any reported interest at this time and there's the sense here that could very well not change.

Wooten is the 135th ranked running back on Scout and Tailey is an unrated prospect. If not for Wooten receiving his ranking, there wouldn't be anything to separate Oregon from Massachusetts.  

6. Massachusetts

Prospects: Two

In terms of prospects and grades, Massachusetts and Oregon are nearly identical. Each state offers one 2-star running back and one unrated prospect. 

For Massachusetts, its Tony Knight and Ben Patrick. While Knight has earned a 2-star grade and has committed to NC State, he ranks outside the top 150 at his position. 

5. Minnesota

Prospects: Four

Minnesota might not have any 2-star prospects, while Iowa and Delaware, the two states following Minnesota on the list, both have one a piece. But what Minnesota does have is more than one prospect. 

As we said before, in this case, quantity trumps quality and when you have four times the number of recruits as another state, even if all of them are unrated its hard to argue against. 

4. Iowa

Prospects: One

Iowa and Delaware each bring one recruit to the table, but Iowa's is ranked higher so they get the honor of avoiding the top three. 

Isaac Lintz, the only running back from the state, is a 2-star prospect ranked 126th at his position on Scout. He's received interest from Iowa, Michigan State, and Missouri. 

3. Delaware

Prospects: One

Delaware's only running back, Brandon Ross, is ranked as the 140th running back on Scout. He committed to Maryland and who knows, maybe his 4.4-second 40-yard dash will take him places. 

As we said before, with Iowa's only running back rating higher, Delaware falls into the top three, but that's still better than first and second, right?

 

2. Nebraska

Prospects: Two

Neither of Nebraska's two running backs are rated and while numbers carry more weight than rankings, in the case of two to one, there isn't enough to justify claiming Nebraska is a better state for running backs than Delaware or Iowa. 

With only Dillon Loschen and Richard Wynee, two unrated prospects who've received no reported interest, Nebraska narrowly escapes the top spot. 

1. Rhode Island

Prospects: One

Tiny Rhode Island takes the crown with unrated running back Vito Capuano. Capuano is simply a name on paper when it comes to recruiting. 

You will find no pictures, no height and weight listing, and no reported interest from any schools. But still, it's better than not having any running back prospects at all.