College Football 2011: Who Are the Top 5 Running Backs This Season?
The 2011 college football season is fast approaching. We know who the top teams are, but this early we don't know what to expect. The media and fans alike can take a guess, but anything can happen in college football.
The most important position in football is quarterback. That is no secret. However, running back ranks pretty high, especially at the collegiate level.
In 2010 there were 44 running backs that ran for over 1,000 yards. We lost some good ones to graduation and the NFL.
In 2011 the list of great backs is pretty strong. Only one back was drafted in the first round of the NFL in 2010, but next year's draft class will certainly feature more.
Here are my top five running backs for the upcoming 2011 season.
Honorable Mention
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The 2011 college football season has a great group of running backs. Whether they're power backs or electrifying speedsters, the upcoming season features a slew of great tailbacks.
These are the guys that just missed my top five.
Michael Dyer, Auburn Tigers
Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M Aggies
Stepfan Taylor, Stanford Cardinal
Edwin Baker, Michigan State Spartans
Montee Ball, Wisconsin Badgers
5. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State Aztecs
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What a freshman year for this kid. Ronnie Hillman was a force for the San Diego State Aztecs in 2010, and there's no doubt that he will be anything less in 2011.
Hillman is only 5'10", 175 pounds, but he has blazing speed. His quickness will be on display once again this coming season.
Last year, he ran for almost six yards per carry, gaining 1,532 yards on 262 attempts, which was good enough to put him in the top 10 for rushing that season. He also scored 17 touchdowns.
The freshman was a beast for the Aztecs, and even though he lost his head coach, there won't be a sophomore slump from this kid.
4. Knile Davis, Arkansas Razorbacks
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Knile Davis was a huge surprise for the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2010. For the first few weeks of the season, the Razorbacks were struggling on the ground. They had Ryan Mallett carrying them, but the team clearly needed some balance.
Davis blew up in the second half of the season. He finished the year with five straight games of 110 yards or more. His vision on the field is exceptional as well as his footwork.
At 6'0", 200 pounds, Davis is set for another stellar season. We won't have to wait until week five or so for him to get it going. In 2010 Davis ran for 1,322 yards for an amazing 6.5 yards per carry and tied for ninth in the nation.
Davis ran for 13 touchdowns last year, but after Week 6, he only had one touchdown. That won't happen in 2011 as the Razorbacks will need him to be a star for the entire season if they want to win the SEC West.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
3. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Gamecocks
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Marcus Lattimore burst onto the college football scene last year and was a huge factor in the success of the South Carolina Gamecocks. The sophomore running back had an outstanding freshman season.
The Gamecocks believe that he can be even better this year. There is talk of the Gamecocks easily repeating as SEC East champs and even of Lattimore as a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate.
Lattimore ran for three yards shy of 1,200 yards. He averaged only 4.8 yards per carry, but that's what you want from your starting tail back. Lattimore scored 17 touchdowns last year, and in 2011 he can certainly rush for 20.
The 6'0", 218 pound running back will be called upon to help lead South Carolina to victory. He is a threat whenever he has the ball because of his vision, speed and power. He is a true all around every down back.
2. Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide
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Trent Richardson is finally the main man at Alabama. After sitting behind 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, Richardson wasn't able to showcase his full potential.
All of that changes this season because Richardson is the go-to guy for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
Richardson's numbers weren't all that impressive, but he did average 6.3 yards per carry. So when you give the kid the ball, he knows just what to do with it. In just 112 rushing attempts, Richardson ran for 700 yards and scored six touchdowns.
At 5'11", 220 pounds, Richardson is strong and fast. He has the ability to break open the big play at any moment as well as the skills to make anyone miss.
Some say he is even better than Mark Ingram. We'll definitely get the chance to find that out this year. With the change in quarterback at Alabama, the Crimson Tide will need Richardson to be all that and more.
1. LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks
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Were you surprised? Yeah, I didn't think so.
LaMichael James was the best running back in the nation a year ago, and I highly doubt that changes in 2011. James finished third in the 2010 Heisman Trophy voting, but he was only six votes behind second place.
He is definitely one of the favorites to win the 2011 Heisman Trophy. James ran for 1,731 yards, averaged 5.9 yards per carry and scored 24 total touchdowns. He led the nation in yards and yards per game, and he was second in rushing touchdowns.
In 2011, he has a chance to improve upon those numbers. As crazy as that sounds, I do believe it can happen. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if James tops 2,000 yards this season.
The Ducks will have to replace a few offensive players, which means they'll be counting on James to be even more elite this year. The 5'9", 185 pound rusher has exceptional speed and agility. His ability to make defenders miss makes him very dangerous.
James is on a mission to get back to the BCS National Championship game after losing in the final minutes last year.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
