2011 NFL Draft Prospects: Top 25 Running Backs

Even though we saw three running backs taken in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the position appears to be one that has become devalued a bit in recent years.  National Football League franchises now look to be a bit wary of investing in a running back with a high pick when they can find a bargain ball carrier in the later rounds.

This year we have two running backs, Alabama’s Mark Ingram and Mikel Leshoure of Illinois, who look to have first round type ability, but we also have a number of talented runners who will come off the board in the middle to late rounds.

This class has backs of all shapes and sizes and no matter what a team is looking for, whether it be a receiving threat out of the backfield such as Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray,  or a versatile fullback like Stanford’s Owen Marecic, they’ll be able to find it.

There were 15 backs selected in the 2010 Draft but with so many underclassmen declaring this year, that number is sure to be surpassed.

Let’s take a look at 25 of the top running back names for the 2011 NFL Draft.

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by Ahmad Black #35 of the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 215

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 158

Rushing Yards: 875

Average Per Carry: 5.5

Total Touchdowns: 14

Receptions: 21

2. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

Height: 6'1''

Weight: 230

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 281

Rushing Yards: 1,697

Average Per Carry: 6.0

Total Touchdowns: 20

Receptions: 17

3. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State

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LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 14: Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats carries the ball as Olaitan Oguntodu #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game on October 14, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Im

Class: Senior

Height: 6'2''

Weight: 225

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 298

Rushing Yards: 1,585

Average Per Carry: 5.3

Total Touchdowns: 19

Receptions: 27

4. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

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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)

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 200

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 110

Rushing Yards: 447

Average Per Carry: 4.3

Total Touchdowns: 10

Receptions: 10

5. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State

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)

Class: Senior

Height: 5'8''

Weight: 200

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 271

Rushing Yards: 1,548

Average Per Carry: 5.7

Total Touchdowns: 16

Receptions: 20

6. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

Class: Senior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 215

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 282

Rushing Yards: 1,214

Average Per Carry: 4.3

Total Touchdowns: 20

Receptions: 71

7. Jordan Todman, UCONN

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies stiff arms Jamell Fleming #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Ariz

Class: Junior

Height: 5'9''

Weight: 190

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 334

Rushing Yards: 1,695

Average Per Carry: 5.1

Total Touchdowns: 14

Receptions: 19

8. Quizz Rodgers, Oregon State

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Runningback Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers rushes the football for 6 yards during the fourth quarter of the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Ariz

Class: Junior

Height: 5'7''

Weight: 190

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 256

Rushing Yards: 1,184

Average Per Carry: 4.6

Total Touchdowns: 17

Receptions: 44

9. Shane Vereen, Cal

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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)

Class: Junior

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 205

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 231

Rushing Yards: 1,167

Average Per Carry: 5.1

Total Touchdowns: 16

Receptions: 22

10. Bilal Powell, Louisville

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LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 15: Bilal Powell #15 of the Louisville Cardinals runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 15, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by An

Class: Senior

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 205

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 229

Rushing Yards: 1,405

Average Per Carry: 6.1

Total Touchdowns: 14

Receptions: 18

11. Delone Carter, Syracuse

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Delone Carter #3 of the Syracuse Orange rushes against Quinton Richardson #28 of the Washington Huskies on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Class: Senior

Height: 5'9''

Weight: 225

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 231

Rushing Yards: 1,233

Average Per Carry: 5.3

Total Touchdowns: 9

Receptions: 8

12. Noel Devine, West Virginia

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo b

Class: Senior

Height: 5'7''

Weight: 160

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 209

Rushing Yards: 936

Average Per Carry: 4.5

Total Touchdowns: 7

Receptions: 34

13. Derrick Locke, Kentucky

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Class: Senior

Height: 5'8''

Weight: 185

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 166

Rushing Yards: 887

Average Per Carry: 5.3

Total Touchdowns: 10

Receptions: 34

14. Charles Clay, Tulsa

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 20: Fullback Charles Clay #9 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane rushes upfield against the University of Central Florida Knights at Bright House Stadium on October 20, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. UCF won 44 - 23. (Photo by Al Messerschmid

Class: Senior

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 240

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 34

Rushing Yards: 226

Average Per Carry: 6.6

Total Touchdowns: 7

Receptions: 43

15. John Clay, Wisconsin

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

Height: 6'1''

Weight: 255

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 187

Rushing Yards: 1,012

Average Per Carry: 5.4

Total Touchdowns: 14

Receptions: 1

16. Da’Rel Scott, Maryland

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Da'Rel Scott #23 of the Maryland Terrapins carries the ball in the first half against the Boston College Eagles on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Class: Senior

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 205

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 122

Rushing Yards: 708

Average Per Carry: 5.8

Total Touchdowns: 8

Receptions: 14

17. Jamie Harper, Clemson

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Jamie Harper #8 of the Clemson Tigers scores a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Class: Junior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 230

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 197

Rushing Yards: 760

Average Per Carry: 3.9

Total Touchdowns: 10

Receptions: 37

18. Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers break a long run against the Missouri Tigers during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Missou

Class: Senior

Height: 5'11''

Weight: 215

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 188

Rushing Yards: 1,245

Average Per Carry: 6.6

Total Touchdowns: 11

Receptions: 5

19. Dion Lewis, Pitt

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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 A

Class: Sophomore

Height: 5'8''

Weight: 195

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 219

Rushing Yards: 1,061

Average Per Carry: 4.8

Total Touchdowns: 13

Receptions: 27

20. Owen Marecic, Stanford

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Owen Marecic #48 of the Stanford Cardinal rushes against the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Class: Senior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 245

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 23

Rushing Yards: 46

Average Per Carry: 2.0

Total Touchdowns: 5

Receptions: 9

21. Evan Royster, Penn State

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Running back Evan Royster #22 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball during a game against the Michigan State Spartans on November 27, 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Spartans won 28-22

Class: Senior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 215

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 208

Rushing Yards: 1,015

Average Per Carry: 4.9

Total Touchdowns: 7

Receptions: 25

22. Graig Cooper, Miami

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Graig Cooper #2 of the Miami Hurricanes looks to avoid being brought down by cornerback Mario Butler #2 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Fl

Class: Senior

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 205

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 35

Rushing Yards: 165

Average Per Carry: 4.7

Total Touchdowns: 1

Receptions: 6

23. Alex Green, Hawaii

Hawai'ii RB Alex Green

Class: Senior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 220

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 146

Rushing Yards: 1,199

Average Per Carry: 8.2

Total Touchdowns: 19

Receptions: 27

24. Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones

Class: Junior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 200

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 221

Rushing Yards: 1,807

Average Per Carry: 7.9

Total Touchdowns: 17

Receptions: 24

25. Stevan Ridley, LSU

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Stevan Ridley #34 of the Louisiana State University Tigers scores the go-ahead toucdown in the final minutes of the fourth quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Class: Junior

Height: 6'0''

Weight: 220

2010 Stats
Rushing Attempts: 249

Rushing Yards: 1,147

Average Per Carry: 4.6

Total Touchdowns: 15

Receptions: 11

10 Other Backs To Keep an Eye On

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 04: Running back Anthony Allen #18 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets runs with the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on November 4, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech

Darren Evans, Virginia Tech

Stanley Havili, USC

Mario Fannin, Auburn

Henry Hynoski, Pitt

Vai Taua, Nevada

Jay Finley, Baylor

Armando Allen, Notre Dame

Chad Spann, Northern Illinois

Brandon Saine, Ohio State