College Football: LaMichael James and the 10 Best Returning RBs in the Country

There were many outstanding players at the running back position this season in NCAA Division I football, such as LaMichael James, Mark Ingram and Ryan Williams, but only a few college players that were draft-eligible decided to remain at their universities.

In fact, a majority of the high-profile draft-eligible players have decided to forgo their senior and junior seasons to declare for the NFL and try their chances at the professional level as soon as possible.

LaMichael James is one of the outstanding athletes in college that has decided to remain in school for another year instead of entering the NFL draft.

With a ton of running backs declaring for the NFL draft this year, take a look at the following list, which ranks the top 10 running backs that will be returning to college for the 2011 season.

**Stats compiled from ESPN.

10. Ed Wesley, TCU Horned Frogs

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 30: Ed Wesley #34 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs runs for yardage after getting away from Will Chandler #1 of the UNLV Rebels during the first quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 30, 2010 in Las Vegas, Ne

Height: 5'9''

Weight: 200 pounds

Class (Current Year): Sophomore

2010 Season Stats: 166 carries for 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns; eight receptions for 62 yards

Bowl Game Performance: Rose Bowl vs. Wisconsin (won 21-19)—Four carries for 13 yards; one reception for 33 yards

After seeing a bit of an increased role in his Sophomore season, Ed Wesely recorded over 1,000 yards after averaging 6.5 yards per carry.  Wesley contributed to TCU's rushing attack being ranked 10th overall in the nation, averaging a total of 247.4 yard per game, and an undefeated record along with a Rose Bowl Championship

9. Montee Ball, Wisconsin Badgers

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back Montee Ball #28 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 236 pounds

Class (Current Year): Sophomore

2010 Season Stats: 163 rushing attempts for 996 yards and 18 touchdowns; 16 receptions for 128 yards

Bowl Game Performance: Rose Bowl vs. TCU (lost 21-19)—22 rushing attempts for 132 yards and one touchdown

In 2010 Montee Ball led the Badgers in rushing touchdowns, with 18, and tied for fourth-most of all-time in a single season at Wisconsin.  Ball finished the season with four consecutive 100+ yard rushing performances with multiple touchdowns each game.  He than finished off the season in fashion with an impressive 100-yard, one touchdown performance in the Rose Bowl.  

8. Brandon Bolden, Mississippi Rebels

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Brandon Bolden #34 of the Ole Miss Rebels against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 215 pounds

Class (Current Year): Junior

2010 Season Stats: 163 carries for 976 yards and 14 touchdowns; 32 receptions for 344 yards and three touchdowns

Brandon Bolden has decided to return for his senior season at Mississippi after recording the best numbers of his career across the board.  Bolden led the Ole Miss Rebels rushing attack this past season, averaging 4.8 YPC.

7. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford Cardinal

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal rushes against Nate Williams #8 of the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 209 pounds

Class (Current Year): Sophomore

Season Stats: 223 rushing attempts for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns; 28 receptions for 266 yards and one touchdown

Bowl Game Performance: Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech (won 40-12)—13 rushing attempts for 114 yards; two receptions for seven yards

Stepfan Taylor is a speedy running back with great leg-strength who had a superb sophomore season, ranking 34th overall throughout the nation in total receiving yards and tied for 16th overall in total receiving touchdowns.

6. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Gamecocks

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COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: Tailback Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks takes a break during a timeout during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamec

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 218 pounds

Class (Current Year): Freshman

2010 Season Stats: 249 rushing attempts for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns; 29 receptions for 412 yards and two touchdowns

Bowl Game Performance: Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Florida State (lost 26-17)—One rushing attempt for minus-one yard; three receptions for 48 yards

Marcus Lattimore, a South Carolina-native, had an incredible freshman season tying for tenth overall in total rushing touchdowns throughout Division I college football.  Lattimore proved to be a serious endzone threat, scoring at least two touchdowns in six out of 13 games he played in this season.  Lattimore will be one of the premiere running backs in all of college football, as he will get even better and stronger during the offseason.  This young back has a very bright future.

5. Knile Davis, Arkansas Razorbacks

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Knile Davis #7 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 220 pounds

Class (Current Year): Sophomore

2010 Season Stats: 204 carries for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns; 19 receptions for 136 yards and one touchdown

Bowl Game Performance: Sugar Bowl vs. Ohio State (lost 31-26)—26 rushing attempts for 139 yards; three receptions for eight yards

Knile Davis struggled in the beginning of the season, but finished with pure dominance.  As Davis saw the ball more often, he became increasingly productive and the team began to perform consistently.  In the last six regular season games, Davis scored a total of 13 touchdowns and rushed for over 100 yards in five of those outings. Davis is a very powerful back that will only get better.

4. Michael Dyer, Auburn Tigers

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: (C) Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates with teammates after he runs the ball for 16-yards and is called down at the one-yardline with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the T

Height: 5'9''

Weight: 215 pounds

Class: Freshman

Season Stats: 182 carries for 1093 yards and five touchdowns; one reception for nine yards

Bowl Game Performance: BCS National Championship Vs. Oregon(Won 22-19): 22 rushing attempts for 143 yards

Michael Dyer was one of the highest recruited running backs out of high school, and had no problem living up to the hype in his freshman season at Auburn.  Dyer earned over 1000 yards in his first collegiate season, as well as contributing in major ways to Auburn's BCS National Championship win.

3. Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #8 and Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after Jones' touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Im

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 220 pounds

Class: Sophomore

Season Stats: 112 rushing attempts for 700 yards and six touchdowns; 23 receptions for 266 yards and four touchowns

Bowl Game Performance: Capitol One Bowl Vs. Michigan State(Won 49-7)- 10 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown; One reception for 12 yards

Since he was on the same team as Mark Ingram for the first two years of his collegiate career, Trent Richardson has been a bit overlooked because of the smaller role that he played.  But, 2011 will be Trent Richardson's time to shine and to prove that he can be better than Ingram.  As a Freshman Richardson averaged 5.2 yards per carry, and improved in his second season with the Tide, averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per carry.  

2. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State Aztecs

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Running back Ronnie Hillman #13 of the San Deigo State Aztecs carries the ball on a five yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 175 pounds

Class (Current Year): Freshman

2010 Season Stats: 262 carries for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns; nine receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown

Bowl Game Performance: Poinsettia Bowl vs. Navy (won 35-14)—28 rushing attempts for 228 yards and three touchdowns; two receptions for 16 yards and one touchdown

San Diego State Freshman Ronnie Hillman ranked 10th overall in Division I college football total rushing yards, and tied for 10th overall in total rushing touchdowns.  Ronnie Hillman has unbelievable athletic abilities, also lettering in track & field and basketball throughout his high school athletics career.  As starting running back for the Aztecs, Hillman led San Diego State to an 48th overall ranking in rushing yards throughout the nation, with 161.3 YPG.  Hillman's contributions assisted in the success of the team's passing offense, which was ranked 12th overall averaging 295.4 YPG.

1. LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: (R-L) LaMichael James #21 and Kenjon Barner #24 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate James' eight-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at Universit

Height: 5'9''

Weight: 185 pounds

Class (Current Year): Sophomore 

2010 Season Stats: 294 carries for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns; 17 receptions for 208 yards and three touchdowns

Bowl Game Performance: BCS National Championship Game vs. Auburn Tigers (lost 22-19)—13 rushing attempts for 49 yards; four receptions for 39 yards and two touchdowns

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 Awards (the latter of which recognizes the nation's top running back). Oregon will be a dominating football team once again next season with Heisman Trophy candidate LaMichael James returning for another year.