National Signing Day 2011: Where Are The Top 25 Running Backs Headed?

With National Signing Day just around the corner we're going through every position to keep you up to date with the endless stream of commitments, decommitments and visits all the way up to February 2nd. 

In a class that's very deep at running back, the position has been one the limelight has followed for the last year and with good reason.

But almost all of the top running backs are off the market and the few left still to decide have narrowed their vision in preparation for impending announcements. 

Check out where the top 25 running backs from the 2011 college football recruiting class are headed on National Signing Day. 

25. Quan Bray, Auburn

Commitment: Auburn

Four-star prospect Quan Bray is one of the most versatile athletes in the country and a legitimate prospect on either side of the ball. 

Scouts project him at running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety, and based on his athleticism, we have a feeling he'd be successful regardless of where you line him up. 

Bray committed to Auburn over Alabama, Georgia, Florida and LSU at the 2011 Under Armour All-American Game.

24. Amir Carlisle, USC

Commitment: USC

Carlisle has drawn comparisons to former Cal star Jahvid Best. He's versatile and brings one of the most complete games to the table of any back in the class.  

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. 

Another back to join the decommitment list, Carlisle was originally a Stanford commit, but jumped ship for USC in January. 

23. Marlin Lane, Tennessee

Commitment: Tennessee

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. 

Lane was a longtime commitment to Clemson, but with Mike Bellamy in place it was expected he'd decommit. Thats exactly what happened and in January Lane committed to Tennessee. 

22. Remound Wright, Stanford

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. 

With Kelsey Young also committed to Stanford, Wright remains a soft verbal for the Cardinal. That was the same route that Amir Carlisle went with before decommiting though. 

21. Jeremy Hill, LSU

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. 

Hill was one of LSU's first commitments and while he got cold feet for a little while, Hill was back on board with the Tigers in January. 

20. Daniel Lasco, California

Commitment: California 

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. 

Lasco committed to Cal back in August of 2010. 

19. Bishop Sankey, Washington

Commitment: Washington

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.

Sankey was originally committed to Washington State, but announced a week before National Signing Day that he'll be signing with Washington instead. 

18. Kenny Williams, Texas Tech

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. 

Williams was one of Texas Tech's first commitments, joining the Red Raiders back in March of 2010.

17. Kelsey Young, Stanford

Young is listed a 5'10" and 190 lbs, but he runs with the power and authority of a back carrying 230 lbs. He runs low, drives with his legs and makes contact with solid pad level. 

There aren't many backs who can drive through the middle and break tackles as well as he can. Young has such great body control and balance he seems to often find ways to stay up and keep going when logic dictates he hit the ground. 

One of Stanford's first commitments, Young pledged for the Cardinal back in March of 2010. 

16. Jameel Poteat, Cincinnati

Commitment: Cincinnati

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. 

Poteat originally committed to Pitt, but after Dave Wannstedt resigned as head coach it wasn't long before Poteat decommitted and joined up with Cincinnati. 

15. Justice Hayes, Michigan

Commitment: Michigan

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.

Originally committed to Notre Dame, Hayes was never too firm in his commitment and it wasn't long before he decommitted in favor of Michigan. 

14. Brendon Bigelow, California

Commitment: California  

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 when it's time to sprint for the end zone. Besides concerns about his knee, Bigelow is the real deal.

Originally committed to Washington, Bigelow had a change of heart and switched his commitment to Cal in December. 

13. Harvey Langi, Utah

Commitment: Utah

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.

Langi made his commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, choosing to stay in-state at Utah over USC and Stanford. 

12. Mike Blakely, Florida

Commitment: Florida 

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.

Blakely committed to Florida in October of 2010. 

11. Kenny Hilliard, LSU

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.

One of LSU's first commitments, Hilliard pledged to the Tigers back in December of 2009. 

10. Devonta Freeman, Florida State

Commitment: Florida State

Freeman was a relative unknown a year ago, splitting carries and not really getting the opportunity to show off his skills. 

As a senior, he exploded for over 3,000 yards and led Miami Central to a state championship. With a great combination of power and speed, there might not be another prospect in the country who's stock has risen faster.

Freeman committed to Florida State in June of 2010. 

9. Dee Hart, Alabama

Commitment: Alalbama

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.

Originally committed to Michigan, Hart opened things up again late in 2010, made a soft commitment to Alabama and then made it official at the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

8. Aaron Green, Nebraska

Commitment: Nebraska 

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.

Green committed to Nebraska in October of 2010, choosing the Huskers over Texas and Florida State.

7. Herschel Sims, Oklahoma State

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.

Sims might be committed to the Cowboys, but he maintains only a soft verbal and there's a good chance he decommits. If he does, TCU will be waiting. 

6. Brandon Williams, Oklahoma

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.

Originally committed to Baylor, Williams was one of the first major decommitments from the 2011 class. He committed to Oklahoma in April of 2010.

5. Savon Huggins

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.

One of the top uncommitted recruits in the country, Huggins is announcing his decision on January 28th, and will choose between Notre Dame, Rutgers, Auburn and North Carolina.

4. Mike Bellamy, Clemson

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.

Bellamy committed to Clemson in June of 2010 and with 4-star running back Marlin Lane ditching the Tigers for Tennessee, he should be in line for a lot of work as a true freshman.

3. James Wilder, Florida State

Commitment: Florida State

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. 

Wilder was one of the huge highlight commitments of the summer, committing to FSU over Florida and Georgia back in August of 2010. 

2. Isaiah Crowell

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.

Crowell will likely wait until National Signing Day to announce his decision, though it has been down to Alabama and Georgia for months.

1. Malcolm Brown, Texas

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.  

The last recruit to date from Texas' 2011 recruiting class, Brown joined up with the Longhorns in August and has the chance to start as early as next season.