Capital One Bowl: Mark Ingram and the Top Running Backs in the 2011 NFL Draft

With some of the most exciting BCS college bowl games right around the corner, such as the Capital One Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan State Spartans, the draft stock of the nation's premiere running backs could receive a major boost or take a serious plummet.  

Alabama's Mark Ingram, Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray and Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams are just a few dominant backs that can still make serious increases to their draft value with an electrifying performance in their upcoming bowl games.  

Mark Ingram is currently the highest-rated running back entering the NFL Draft in 2011, and has the most to lose when he suits up against Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl.  ESPN Insider currently has Ingram as the 24th-best overall player in the upcoming draft, so there is a chance that he could solidify a first-round selection with a productive outing.

The following slides exhibit some of the top running back prospects entering the 2011 NFL Draft.

Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh Panthers

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo by

Height

5'8"

Weight

195 lbs.

Class

Sophomore

Hometown

Albany, NY

Season Stats

Rushing: 197 rushing attempts for 956 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns

Receiving: 27 receptions for 216 yards

Stats for 2009

Rushing: 325 carries for 1,799 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 17 touchdowns

Receiving: 25 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown

Although Dion Lewis didn't have an extremely productive year, he managed to record zero turnovers throughout the course of this season.  Lewis exhibited just how special he could potentially be with his amazing 250-plus-yard, four-TD performance against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Highlight Game of the Year

December 4th @ Cincinnati Bearcats (Won 28-10): 42 rushing attempts for 261 yards and four touchdowns

Bowl Game

BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama vs. Kentucky Wildcats on January 8th, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST

Noel Devine, West Virginia Mountaineers

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates after runing for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville

Height

5'8'

Weight

180 lbs.

Class

Senior

Hometown

Fort Myers, Florida

Season Stats

Rushing: 209 carries for 936 yards and six touchdowns

Receiving: 34 receptions for 258 yards and one touchdown

2009 Stats (Best Year)

Rushing: 241 rushing attempts for 1,465 yards and 13 touchdowns

Receiving: 22 receptions for 177 yards and one touchdown

Noel Devine is currently ranked as the ninth-best running back, and the 104th-best overall prospect, potentially entering the 2011 NFL Draft.  Devine has the speed, and innate elusiveness that will make him valuable to many teams.  He is likely to shine more as a return specialist than for his running back contributions.

Highlight Game of the Year

October 9th vs. UNLV (Won 49-10): Three rushing attempts for 84 yards and two touchdowns

Bowl Game

Champs Sports Bowl vs. North Carolina State (Loss 23-7): Eight rushing attempts for 50 yards and four receptions for 21 yards

Mikel Leshoure, Illinois Fighting Illini

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance against the Northwestern Wildcats during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated

Height

6'1"

Weight

230 lbs.

Class

Junior

Hometown

Champaign, Illinois

Season Stats

Rushing: 252 rushing attempts for 1,513 yards and 14 touchdowns

Receiving: 15 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns

Leshoure has rushed for over 100 yards eight times this season, averaging a touchdown every game.  

Highlight Game of the Year

November 6th @ Michigan Wolverines (Loss 67-65): 24 carries for 120 yards and three touchdowns, along with two receptions for 52 yards and two touchdowns

Bowl Game

Texas Bowl vs. Baylor Bears: 10 carries for 71 yards and one touchdown along with one reception and 15 yards

Shane Vereen, California Golden Bears

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 09: Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears runs against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at California Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Height

5'10"

Weight

204 lbs.

Class

Junior

Hometown

Valencia, California

Season Stats

Rushing: 231 carries for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns

Receiving: 22 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns 

Shane Vereen is currently ranked as the seventh overall running back and 95th overall player entering the 2011 NFL Draft.  Vereen returned kickoffs for California this past season and also has Wildcat-running capabilities.

Highlight Game of the Year

September 17th @ Nevada Wolf Pack (Loss 52-31): 19 carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns, along with one reception for nine yards

LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ducks beat the Beaver

Height

5'9"

Weight

185 lbs.

Class

Sophomore

Hometown

Texarkana, Texas

Season Stats

Rushing: 281 attempts for 1,682 yards and 21 touchdowns

Receiving: 13 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown

LaMichael James had an excellent sophomore season being one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy. James was also a candidate for the 2010 Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award (which recognizes the nation's top running back).

Highlight Game of the Year

October 2nd vs. Stanford Cardinals (Won 52-31): 31 carries for 257 yards and three touchdowns

Bowl Game

BCS National Championship vs. Auburn Tigers in Glendale, Arizona on January 10, 2011 at 8:30 PM EST

Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 20, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Height

5'8"

Weight

 197 lbs.

Class

Senior

Hometown

Tyler, Texas

Season Stats

Rushing: 261 carries for 1,516 yards and 16 touchdowns

Receiving: 19 receptions for 106 yards

After a shortened junior season due to injury, Kendall Hunter bounced back with dominance showing NFL scouts that he could be a serious threat at the next level.  Hunter, along with fellow teammate and NFL prospect Justin Blackmon, was named to the AFCA Coaches' All-American team.

Highlight Game of the Year

September 4th vs. Washington State (Won 65-17): 21 rushing attempts for 257 yards and four touchdowns

Bowl Game

Valero Bowl vs. Arizona in San Antonio, Texas on December 29, 2010 at 9:15 PM EST

DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma Sooners

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Running back Demarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs past D.J. Grant #18 of the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Height

6'1"

Weight

207 lbs.

Class

Senior

Hometown

Las Vegas, Nevada

Season Stats

Rushing: 257 attempts for 1,121 yards for 14 touchdowns

Receiving: 69 receptions for 595 yards and five touchdowns

DeMarco Murray has the size and athletic ability to be a dominant running back in the National Football League.  Murray runs a 4.42 40-yard dash, and has terrific receiving abilities.

Highlight Game of the Year

September 18th vs. Air Force (Won 27-24): 26 rushing attempts for 110 yards for two touchdowns, along with five receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown

Bowl Game

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1st, 2011 at 8:30 PM EST

Daniel Thomas, Kansas State Wildcats

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 13: Running back Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats is congratulated after scoring a touchdown during the game against the Missouri Tigers on November 13, 2010 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (P

Height

6'2"

Weight

228 lbs.

Class

Senior

Hometown

Hilliard, Florida

Season Stats

Rushing: 276 carries for 1,495 yards and 16 touchdowns

Receiving: 26 receptions for 163 yards

Daniel Thomas is currently listed as the third overall running back, and 51st overall player, in the upcoming NFL Draft by ESPN Insider.  Scouts inc. has described Thomas as "a workhorse who can wear down defenses over the course of a game."  Thomas is a big back that is tough to bring down and has great vision.  

Highlight Game of the Year

November 27th @ North Texas (Won 49-41): 36 carries for 269 yards for two touchdowns

Bowl Game

New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Syracuse in Bronx, New York on December 30th, 2010 at 3:20 PM EST

Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech Hokies

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Height

5'10"

Weight

202 lbs.

Class

Sophomore

Hometown

Manassas, Virginia

Season Stats

Rushing: 106 carries for 473 yards and nine touchdowns

Receiving: 10 receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown

2009 Stats

Rushing: 293 carries for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns

Receiving: 16 receptions for 180 yards for one touchdown

Todd McShay has described Williams as "a premier talent, who could be a first-round pick despite disappointing results in 2010."  Williams has been haunted by injury this season, but is still expected to be a valuable asset in this year's draft.

Highlight Game of the Year

November 20th @ Miami Hurricanes (Won 31-17): 14 rushing attempts for 142 yards for two touchdowns, along with one reception for seven yards

Bowl Game

Orange Bowl vs. No. 5 Stanford in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 3rd, 2011 at 8:30 PM EST

Mark Ingram, Alabama Crimson Tide

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide hands the ball off to Mark Ingram #22 during the game against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C.

Height

5'10"

Weight

215 lbs.

Class

Junior

Hometown

Flint, Michigan

Season Stats

Rushing: 146 carries for 816 yards and 11 touchdowns

Receiving: 20 receptions for 252 yards and one touchdown

2009 Stats

Rushing: 271 attempts for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns

Receiving: 32 receptions for 334 yards and three touchdowns

Mark Ingram will be the first running back selected in the 2011 draft, and has been on the minds of many NFL scouts since he won the Heisman Trophy his sophomore season.  Ingram is currently likely to be selected towards the end of the first round in the 2011 NFL Draft, but can persuade NFL teams in desperate need of a starting running back to select him earlier with a productive performance against the Michigan State Spartans in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.

Highlight Game of the Year

September 25th @ Arkansas Razorbacks (Won 24-20): 24 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns, along with two receptions for 27 yards

Bowl Game

Capital One Bowl vs. No. 9 Michigan State Spartans in Orlando, Florida on January 1st, 2011 at 1:00 PM EST