College Football Recruiting Rankings: The Top 25 Running Backs
As we begin the 2010 high school football season it's time to re-evaluate the talent of the 2011 recruiting class and hand out some new positional rankings.
Based on performances throughout the summer in various camps around the country, there's been some noticeable shifts in opinion from every recruiting outlet you'll come across.
That's the nature of the business; sports are a show me now game and when it comes to recruiting, there's no difference.
We'll take a look at the top 25 of every position and keep you up to date with the biggest names to watch out for this year.
Here's the updated rankings for the top 25 running backs of the 2011 class.
25. Imadhi Zagon
1 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
Imadhi Zagon is a name to remember because in a few years this no-name undervalued recruit could be one of the top players in college football.
Zagon is relatively unknown outside of the state of Maine. In fact, until his performance at the Badger Sports 7-on-7 event at Rutgers in March, he didn't have a single collegiate offer. That was before he outperformed everyone, including blue-chip prospects like Savon Huggins.
24. Harvey Langi
2 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
Harvey Langi is one of the running backs you don't hear to much about nationally, but you certainly should. He's one of the hardest backs to bring down in the 2011 class.
He's a powerful rusher with elite balance, body control and a low center of gravity that makes him a defender's nightmare in one-on-one situations. Arm tackles aren't going to do anything to slow him down.
23. Daniel Lasco, Cal
3 of 25
Commitment: Cal
For a back who's 6'2" and 190 lbs, Lasco isn't built to be a between the tackles back, but runs with a compact motion and is shifty enough where he can make things happen in the middle.
But it's when he gets on the outside or in open space that Lasco really shines. He has that sixth gear you love to see and is one of the smoothest rushers in the class. His cuts are a thing of beauty and there really aren't many backs who make it look easier in space.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Bishop Sankey, Washington State
4 of 25
Commitment: Washington State
One of the top prospects from the state of Washington, Sankey is a speedster who gets to the edge and turns the sideline into a 100-meter dash.
At 5'11" and 190 lbs, he needs to bulk up in order to have a chance to be much of a threat between the tackles, but in open space he's deadly. Sankey also has some pretty impressive cut-back skills and has shown the ability to break some tackles as well.
21. Jeremy Hill, LSU
5 of 25
Commitment: LSU
While some backs are Ferraris, Hill is an 18-wheeler. At 6'1" and 220 lbs he's a power-back who takes the ball and pounds it straight up the field, right into the heart of the defense.
He punishes defenders and will go through you rather than around you, but that's not to say he has no finesse to his game. Hill takes short, choppy steps and a lot of body control. He can't stop on a dime, but he'll often side-step would-be tacklers with a soft shift in stride.
20. Remound Wright, Stanford
6 of 25
Commitment: Stanford
Wright is on the small side, but he has a compact build and a low center of gravity. Add in a very strong lower body and good balance, and Wright becomes a very difficult back to bring down.
He's got a solid pair of hands and can contribute in the passing game on fades, short crosses, and dumpoffs, but at 5'9" might be too small to utilize his skill-set as a receiver downfield.
19. Kenny Williams, Texas Tech
7 of 25
Commitment: Texas Tech
Williams is one of the better upside running backs of the 2011 class because every time he plays he just looks bigger, faster, and stronger. He's got a great natural build and could develop into an elite power back down the line.
He's at his best rushing between the tackles and really knows to keep pumping his legs all the way to the ground; elite motor. Give him time to get a little faster and more agile and Williams has a very bright future.
18. Jameel Poteat, Pitt
8 of 25
Commitment: Pitt
Poteat is a bit of an underrated talent that runs a deceptively-fast 4.5-second 40-yard dash. He's got a great initial burst, hits the hole hard, and has one of the quickest one-step jukes of anyone in the class.
Whether it's down the sidelines or between the tackles, Poteat has an uncanny ability to shift his balance and direction just enough to slip past would be tackles without slowing down. He's got a great all-around skill set and should be in line for a bright career.
17. Amir Carlisle, Stanford
9 of 25
Commitment: Stanford
The best of Stanford's three-headed haul at running back, Amir Carlisle has drawn comparisons to former Cal star Jahvid Best.
He's got a great pair of hands, is elusive, fast, cuts well, and changes direction on a dime. He'll get the ball downfield in a number of different ways and just seems to make things happen regardless of the situation.
16. Justice Hayes, Notre Dame
10 of 25
Commitment: Notre Dame
Hayes is a nifty running back who uses his vision, elusiveness, and deadly cut-back ability to mask his shortcomings in the speed and size department. At 5'10" and 180 pounds, he's definitely on the small side. But he plays like a bigger player and really excels moving in space.
His best quality is probably the way he's able to avoid tacklers and juke opponents with subtle, slight shifts in movement without wasting time and energy the way other backs do.
15. Dee Hart
11 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
He's an electric playmaker who's faster on the field than his 4.5-second 40-time would suggest.
Hart has great balance, vision, change-of-direction ability, and at 5'9" and 190 lbs, a surprising ability to break tackles. He may be undersized, but he's a compact and strong rusher who can really dish out punishment.
14. James Wilder, FSU
12 of 25
Commitment: FSU
Wilder isn't technically a running back, he's more of an athlete with a skill-set best suited for the defensive side of the field, but arguably the best two-way player from the state of Florida insists on playing running back in college.
That's where he'll get his first shot and if it works out, he could be the big back coach Jimbo Fisher has been looking for. WIlder has off the charts strength and athleticism and can wear down a defense like a man amongst boys.
13. Rodney Coe
13 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
Coe is the bruiser of the class, weighing in at 240 lbs. Once he gets going, he's a freight train that is nearly impossible to stop in the open field.
He moves so swiftly for his size and even though he doesn't have the breakaway speed or change of direction ability of other elite backs, Coe's field vision, patience, and tackle breaking ability make him a scary option in the backfield.
12. Brendon Bigelow, Washington
14 of 25
Commitment: Washington
If not for a serious ACL injury last season, Brendon Bigelow would be right up there with the top five backs of the class, but questions about his durability, as well as his ability to get back to his old form have raised doubts.
Bigelow is an elite athlete who really gets the highlight reel rolling every time he gets the ball. He's one of the best backs in space you'll find and hits the jet boosters once he's free when it's time to sprint for the end zone. Besides concerns about his knee, Bigelow is the real deal.
11. Mike Blakely
15 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
Blakely might be on the small side, but he makes up for it with an elusive style of rushing and great cutback ability.
He's a four-star running back, but he's also a serious receiving threat out of the backfield and has great hands that open up the passing game a lot, with constant dump-offs and fade routes that are difficult to contain
10. Marlin Lane, Clemson
16 of 25
Commitment: Clemson
Marlin Lane might be one of the best running backs in the country, but he has an uphill battle on his hands with fellow 2011 Clemson commitment Mike Bellamy joining him in the Tigers backfield.
Lane is a speedster with a great all-around skill set and an underrated set of hands that make him useful in the passing game. He's not quite as fast as Bellamy, not many are, but he's still got some jets and can make a lot happen in space.
9. Brandon Williams, Oklahoma
17 of 25
Commitment: Oklahoma
Williams is a great all-around running back who contributes not only in the running game, but also as a legitimate weapon in the passing game. He doesn't have elite size or speed but makes up with it with a gamer's mentality and playing style.
The biggest question about his game is his ability to break tackles, as right now he often goes down on first contact.
8. Kenny Hilliard, LSU
18 of 25
Commitment: LSU
Hilliard has a great power game and seemingly breaks tackles at will. If you're looking for a North-South runner, he's your guy. Hilliard won't make a lot of fancy moves, but he's a smart player with great instincts who hits his holes hard and fast.
He doesn't have the breakaway speed you like to see from top running back prospects, but he's a decisive runner who gets the most out of each carry.
7. Savon Huggins
19 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
There's no one from the 2011 class who can juke quite like Savon Huggins. He has such a broad array of moves that you really never know what he's going to do on any given play.
When you watch him play, you immediately think Barry Sanders. He's got the vision, the balance, the change-of-direction ability, and simply the unwillingness to go down.
6. Herschel Sims, Oklahoma State
20 of 25
Commitment: Oklahoma State
He's the definition of a home run hitter and is one of the most exciting players to watch in the country. It seems like he only plays better the bigger the stage is and gains momentum throughout a game rather than wearing down like some backs.
Sims is on the small side at a generous listing of 5'9" and 190 lbs, but when you're drawing comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson that isn't something to be too worried about.
5. Mike Bellamy, Clemson
21 of 25
Commitment: Clemson
Bellamy is considered to be one of the top prospects of the 2011 class. He's a top-five running back on pretty much every list that matters and is one of the fastest prospects in the state of Florida, clocking in at 4.3 seconds on his 40-time.
He's a playmaker who will light up scoreboards and burns defenders regularly. Bellamy is incredibly elusive and has tremendous balance and body control.
4. Aaron Green
22 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
Aaron Green is the complete package when it comes to running backs. He runs with purpose, can make the first man miss, gets downfield in a hurry, and breaks tackles with surprising speed.
He's undersized at 5'11", 185 lbs, so he needs to bulk up or he just won't stay in one piece at the next level, but that's about all there is not to like about this kid.
3. Isaiah Crowell
23 of 25
Commitment: Uncommitted
He has great breakaway speed, is very elusive, has top of the line instincts, makes lightning-fast cuts, doesn't hesitate, and can break tackles with the best of them.
Crowell has played with a talented stable of rushers his entire high school career behind a very good offensive line. He's never carried the load himself and there are serious questions about his ability to ever be able to.
2. De'Anthony Thomas, USC
24 of 25
Commitment: USC
This one might be a little bit of a cheat because Thomas' future is at cornerback first and running back second. At 5'9" and 170 lbs, he might not have the size to hold up as a running back on the college level, but he definitely has the skill-set to be a force.
He's a legitimate 5-star prospect on either side of the field. Thomas' vision, speed, elusiveness, balance, and surprising power make him one of the most dangerous rushers in the country. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see him play both ways on the next level.
1. Malcolm Brown, Texas
25 of 25
Commitment: Texas
Brown is the premeire rusher of the class and a near-ideal prospect for the position. He's a powerful rusher that will put his shoulder down and punish defenders, wearing them down as the game goes on.
He won't wow you with his speed, but as a downhill rusher he's about as impressive as they come. Brown explodes into defenders, has great vision, subtle but quick movements, and breaks tackles at an eye-popping rate.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
