Breaking Down the Tape
Reviewing Top Tier RBs Eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft

I'd like to break down the tape of one top tier running back per week each of the next 12 weeks. I'll do this by watching one of their games and commenting on their play in that game, including fakes and blocking assignments, as well as their NFL prospects. My schedule for this feature is as follows:

9/1 - James Davis, Clemson vs. Florida State
9/8 - Steve Slaton, West Virginia vs. Marshall
9/15 - Jonathan Stewart, Oregon vs. Fresno State
9/22 - Mike Hart, Michigan vs. Penn State
9/27 - Ian Johnson, Boise State vs. Southern Mississippi
10/6 - Jamaal Charles, Texas vs. Oklahoma
10/13 - Darren McFadden, Arkansas vs. Auburn
10/20 - Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois vs. Michigan
10/27 - Ray Rice, Rutgers vs. West Virginia
11/3 - Matt Forte, Tulane vs. Tulsa
11/10 - Marlon Lucky, Nebraska vs. Kansas State
11/17 - Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina
11/23 - Felix Jones, Arkansas vs. LSU
11/24 - Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma

Obviously all of the defenses these players play will not be equal, but I still think we can get a good approximation of the skill sets that each of these running backs will bring to the NFL. This list also could be affected by injuries to the players and I will try to juggle it to fit everyone in if that occurs.

Darren McFadden - Jr. - Arkansas
Jersey: #5
Wt: 205 Ht: 6'2"
Age on 9/1/2008: 21.03
My Pre-Season Rank: #1
My Current Rank: #1

Tony Nowak's Take:
Last year's Heisman runner-up enters the season as the favorite to be the first RB selected in 2008. Size, speed, individual achievements, and team success...there isn't much to question about his credentials. However, the Razorback offense, not to mention team, faces some challenges this year. The Hogs lose three starting linemen, including All-SEC performers C Jonathan Luigs and LT Tony Ugoh. There has also been plenty of drama in Fayetteville surrounding the football program the last few months. Gus Malzahn, with no college experience when he was hired as OC in December 2005, seemed a curious choice for a top assistant slot. His credentials appeared to be largely based on being part of a package deal for a handful of prized recruits from his Springdale (Ark.) High team, especially QB Mitch Mustain. However, Mustain struggled after becoming the starter last season, eventually losing the job despite an 8-0 record, and there were philosophical differences between Malzahn and HC Houston Nutt. The result was Nutt winning an apparent power struggle that resulted in AD Frank Broyles resigning, Malzahn leaving in January, and Mustain asking to be released from his scholarship a day later. Former Razorback assistant David Lee returns as OC and while none of that directly involves McFadden, the fallout of that mess and the additional pressure on Houston Nutt could snowball in to a lot of negativity around the team if they struggle early in the season. Regardless, he and teammate Felix Jones should again be wildly productive as the top backfield combination in the country. Reminiscent of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown, the Hogs dynamic duo, if both declare, offers arguably the top RB prospect and another Day One pick in Jones.

2008 Running Back Draft Class

Stats (from ESPN):

YEAR	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LOST
2005	176	1113	6.3	70	11	14	52	3.7	12	0	0	0
2006	284	1647	5.8	80	14	11	149	13.5	70	1	0	0

Breaking Down the Tape:

1st Play - 1st Quarter - 8:25 - Run Middle
McFadden takes the handoff and is stuffed for a 2 yard loss; great penetration by the defense

2nd Play - 1st Quarter - 8:01 - Run Fake
Handoff is faked to McFadden and given to a RB on an end around; McFadden makes an average fake and then helps block a lineman

3rd Play - 1st Quarter - 7:24 - Run Left
McFadden takes the pitch and runs wide left; shows very good speed to get to the corner and bust through a line of players there without really gearing down at all; does a nice job keeping his balance and gets 4-5 more yards before tackled by the legs from behind

4th