2011 College Football Predictions: 25 Running Backs with Heisman Potential

In the modern era of college football, the majority of the game is focused around high-scoring offensive threats.

This often results in the Heisman Trophy being awarded to either a quarterback or a running back.

I'm a fan of old-school football. To me, there is nothing better than a tough battle in the trenches and a running back making moves down the field.

Here is a list of 25 running backs with Heisman potential.

25. Bobby Rainey (Western Kentucky)

In 2010, Bobby Rainey ranked fifth in college football with 1,649 rushing yards. He also finished the year with 15 rushing touchdowns.

Chances are he will have similar success this upcoming season.

The only problem is that he plays for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Yes, that is a Division-I school.

However, it's not a school that's going to get players much recognition, even when they are as talented as Rainey.

24. Lance Dunbar (North Texas)

Lance Dunbar is a player in a similar situation to that of Bobby Rainey.

He is a very talented player, who plays for a very poor team.

In fact, North Texas is so bad that I couldn't even find any videos on YouTube to show Dunbar's talents.

He finished last year ranked eighth in the nation with 1,553 rushing yards. It was his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season.

23. Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati)

If Isaiah Pead would receive the typical amount of carries for a starting running back in college football, many more people would know this kid's name.

On just 157 total carries, he gained 1,029 yards rushing.

The problem is that even now as a senior, he will likely receive about the same amount of carries.

This will dramatically hurt his chances at winning the Heisman this season.

22. Silas Redd (Penn State)

Yes, this is a bit of a homer pick.

Ask any Penn State fan who the best running back for the Nittany Lions was last year, and they won't tell you Evan Royster, who finished the season as the all-time rushing leader at the school.

They will tell you it was the true freshman Silas Redd.

Penn State is in shambles, but they have a talented player in the backfield. It would be wise to center the offense around him.

If they do, Redd could be a well-known name around the college football world by the end of the season.

21. Lamar Miller (Miami)

Lamar Miller is in a situation very similar to that of Silas Redd.

Last season, he was the backup running back for the Miami Hurricanes.

Despite this, he was also considered by many to be the most talented running back on the roster.

Now he will be taking over as the starter. Chances are he will have a breakout year and become a big name known around the nation.

20. Jeff Demps (Florida)

Jeff Demps is a dynamic playmaker for the Florida Gators.

He may very well be the most talented player the team has on the offensive side of the ball.

The only thing holding Demps back is lack of touches. On his limited touches last season, he averaged six yards per carry.

If the Gators give him a heavier workload, his name could become a common one in the college football world.

19. Marcus Coker (Iowa)

Yet another freshman running back from 2010 is Marcus Coker.

Coker had a huge showing in Iowa's 27-24 victory over Missouri at the Insight Bowl. He rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

The only thing that will hold Coker back is that he will be forced to share carries with Adam Robinson.

Together, they will become a powerful one-two duo. The sharing will take a shot at Coker's immediate Heisman chances.

18. Brandon Bolden (Mississippi)

Brandon Bolden is heading into his final season with the Rebels.

He is yet to compile a 1,000-yard season, but this is due more to lack of touches than talent.

Last season Bolden had 976 yards on just 163 carries. He also had 14 rushing touchdowns.

Expect Bolden to turn it on during his final season. With just a few more touches, he could make himself a premiere back in college football.

17. Doug Martin (Boise State)

Doug Martin is far more talented than this ranking may suggest. He could possibly be one of the top 10 running backs in college football.

Last season, he ran for 1,260 yards on 201 carries.

The problem for Martin is that he plays on Boise State. Even if the team goes undefeated, shocks the world and wins the national championship, he still won't be the top candidate for the Heisman.

Playing in the shadow of Kellen Moore really hurts his chances.

16. Vick Ballard (Mississippi State)

Vick Ballard may have technically been a junior, but it was his inaugural season with the Bulldogs.

In 2010, he rushed for 968 yards and a school record 19 touchdowns.

Michigan suffered the team's worst loss in bowl game history thanks in part to a three touchdown performance by Ballard in the Gator Bowl.

Expect only improvement from Ballard his senior year. It should be interesting to see what he can accomplish.

15. Montee Ball (Wisconsin)

Montee Ball was a part of one of the most talented backfields in college football in 2010.

He rushed for 18 touchdowns and 996 yards on just 163 carries.

Now with John Clay moving on to the NFL, Ball will only have to share carries with one other player in 2011.

However, that player is James White, who led the Badgers in rushing last year.

14. James White (Wisconsin)

With 1,052 yards, James White was the rushing leader of the three-headed monster at Wisconsin last year.

Similar to Ball, he will receive more carries now that John Clay is no longer with the team.

However, sharing those carries with Ball really hurts his chances at a potential Heisman run.

Wisconsin will once again have one of the most talented backfields in the country.

However, that plethora of talent will limit both star running backs in their chances to receive any individual awards.

13. Montel Harris (Boston College)

Montel Harris heads into his senior season at Boston College looking to improve off of a fantastic performance in 2010.

His 1,243 yards on 269 attempts was the focal point for most of the Eagles offense last year.

The total was actually a drop off from his 1,457 yards as a sophomore.

I would expect those numbers to jump back up this season.

12. Stepfan Taylor (Stanford)

Stepfan Taylor is another unfortunate player who will sit in the shadow of a star despite how bright he shines this season.

Taylor ran for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore last season at Stanford.

However, still almost nobody knows his name thanks to the presence of Andrew Luck.

Taylor will likely have another great season. It will also likely be overlooked because of Luck.

11. Ed Wesley (TCU)

Although Andy Dalton received much of the praise, it was the 10th ranked rushing offense that really did most of the work for TCU's offense last season.

With Dalton now in the NFL, Ed Wesley and Matt Tucker will lead the attack in attempt for a third-straight undefeated season.

Wesley rushed for 1,078 yards on just 166 attempts last season.

Expect both of those numbers to shoot up dramatically for his junior season.

10. Edwin Baker (Michigan State)

Not too many people are believers of Michigan State after its surprising 2010 season. I'm not one of those people.

The success on offense was headed by sophomore running back Edwin Baker.

Baker rushed for 1,201 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

He could become a consistent threat in the Big Ten over the next two seasons. If the Spartans are going to repeat their success, it will need to come through Baker.

9. Chris Polk (Washington)

Chris Polk is a phenomenal running back who may finally get some recognition since Jake Locker is no longer in town.

In 2009, Polk rushed for 1,113 yards. In 2010, he rushed for 1,415 yards.

Despite this, it was Locker's name that was associated with the Huskies.

This year, the workload will be put on Polk. Expect him to step up and improve off of his already impressive 2010 season.

8. Rex Burkhead (Nebraska)

Last season Rex Burkhead was a backup in Nebraska.

He ran for 951 yards last season as a backup. With Roy Helu Jr. now in the NFL, Burkhead will see a lot more carries in 2011.

His success will be vital to the team during its first year in the Big Ten.

He should be another 1,000-yard rusher and could become one of the elite runners in college football.

7. Cyrus Gray (Texas A&M)

Cyrus Gray will either be a star or a huge bust by the end of the 2011 season.

If I had to guess, it will be the former of the two choices.

Heading into week seven of his junior year, Gray had only 49 carries for 195 yards. Over the next seven weeks, he had 151 carries for 938 yards.

Texas A&M won six of those final seven games. They found a weapon in Gray.

6. Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina)

The success of running back Marcus Lattimore depends more on the offensive line than it does Lattimore himself.

The offense line has struggled with inconsistencies and youth.

As a freshman, Lattimore became the workhorse for the South Carolina offense. He rushed for 1,197 yards on 249 carries.

With the recent troubles with quarterback Stephen Garcia, expect Lattimore's number to be called even more often in 2011.

5. Ronnie Hillman (San Diego State)

Ronnie Hillman may play for San Diego State, but his accomplishments have been so amazing they can't be overlooked.

As a true freshman, Hillman was an absolute force for San Diego State last season.

He rushed for 1,532 yards, breaking the record held by Marshall Faulk for most rushing yards by a freshman at the university.

When you break a record by Faulk, it warrants attention. Hillman is one of the best running backs in the league.

Although a Heisman will be tough, he could make a legitimate argument in the coming years.

4. Michael Dyer (Auburn)

Another guy who broke an outstanding record but is a little more well known, is Auburn running back Michael Dyer.

Dyer broke the freshman rushing yard record at Auburn last season with 1,093 yards. The previous record holder was Bo Jackson.

He burst onto the national scene during the 2010 National Championship game with an outstanding performance.

With Cam Newton now in the NFL, it's time for Dyer to take over as the sole provider on offense.

3. Knile Davis (Arkansas)

Knile Davis, much like Cyrus Gray, wasn't a well known name until later in the 2010 season.

Now, as a junior he faces Heisman talks following his 1,322-yard season.

Chances are, Davis will only have one shot at the Heisman Trophy. After the 2011 ends, many analysts expect him to take the step up to the NFL.

2. Trent Richardson (Alabama)

As a freshman Trent Richardson rushed for 751 yards. Last season, he rushed for 700 yards.

So why is he the second ranked player on this list?
He posted those numbers as a backup to Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.

Now, as a starter, many expect him to post numbers passing his combined total for his career.

There are many analysts who believe Richardson is more talented as a runner than Ingram was.

1. LaMichael James (Oregon)

Is there anybody who is actually surprised that LaMichael James is at the top of this list?

It's basically been decided that James or Andrew Luck will be walking away with the Heisman Trophy this season.

As a freshman, James ran for 1,546 yards. Last season, as a sophomore, he led the nation with 1,731 yards.

This puts James on pace for 6,554 yards in his career. That would break the current NCAA record of 6,397 yards held by Ron Dayne.