Notre Dame Football's Look At the 2012 Recruiting Cycle: The Running Backs
With National Signing Day 2011 in the rear view mirror, and almost a week to recharge the brain cells, it's time to start looking at next years hero's and heart breakers.
Over the next few weeks, we will go over each position and the players on the master list. Some have already received offers others are on the radar. The Irish have extended over 70 offers as of February 8th and may go over a hundred by the beginning of March.
Part 1 will start with the running backs, a position that some feel that Notre Dame came up a little short on in 2011, with the loss of Justice Hayes to Michigan and Savon Huggins choosing Rutgers over the Irish.
Rushel Shell: Aliquippa, PA
1 of 6
Height: 6'0
Weight: 215
Rankings: Scout- 5 Stars
Offers: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA and many others
Preview: Rushel Shell has carried the ball 574 times over the past two seasons for 4940 yards and 58 touchdowns he averages 8.6 yards per carry. Rushel has 4.5 speed and once had a 99 yard touchdown called back on two consecutive plays, the third time, you guessed it, he nailed it with no flags.
Shell appears to be favoring Ohio State and Florida at this time.
Keith Marshall: Raleigh, N.C.
2 of 6
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 175
Speed: 4.4
GPA: 4.0
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, USC and others.
Preview: The biggest number on Keith Marshall's resume won't appear on the stat sheet, 4.0, his GPA. He explodes through the holes and has powerful legs, he protects the ball well and has good leg strength.Once he turns the corner it's lights out. Excellent hands out of the backfield, not only on the swing out but over the middle as well. Yards after initial contact are impressive.
Barry Sanders Jr: Oklahoma City, OK
3 of 6
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 190
Speed: 4.4
Offers: Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas Tech and others.
Preview: Barry Sanders Jr. rushed for 1707 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2010, he accelerates after hitting the line of scrimmage, and does not get caught from behind. On a punt return he used the entire field cutting and slashing. Sanders is very elusive and has great hands out of the backfield especially on deep routes.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Byron Marshall: San Jose, CA
4 of 6
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 195
Ranking: Scout 4-Stars
Offers: Arizona, Boise State, Cal, Oregon and Stanford among others.
Preview: As a sophomore Byron Marshall rushed for 1190 yards and 27 touchdowns at Valley Christian H.S. in San Jose. Punishes would be tacklers, can stop on a dime and change direction. He appears to have great field vision seeing holes before they open, good kick returner. Marshall can adjust well to poorly thrown passes and make a big play.
Vonte Jackson: Kenosha, WI
5 of 6
Height: 6'
Weight: 175
Speed: 4.5
Offers: Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State and Northwestern among others.
Preview: Vonte Jackson carried the ball 68 times in 2010, in those 68 carries he put together 956 yards on the ground, a whopping 14.1 yards per carry, he added 280 receiving yards scored 13 touchdowns. He is definitely not afraid of contact, many of his yards coming after he lowers his shoulder and plows through a defender or multiple defenders. Great balance keeps on his feet well after contact.
Matt Jones: Seffner, FL
6 of 6
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210
Speed: 4.5
Ranking: Scout 4-Stars
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Miami and USC among others.
Preview: Matt Jones is a slashing back that takes Eric Dickerson type strides. He protects the ball well and makes great use of the stiff arm, he actually looks like he is just waiting to use it. He appears to use his height as an advantage, using it as leverage to keep his balance against smaller defenders.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
