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.

Ian Johnson - Jr. - Boise State
Jersey: #41
Wt: 194 Ht: 5’11”
Age on 9/1/2008: 22.95
My Pre-Season Rank: #9
My Current Rank: #11

Tony Nowak's Take:
After redshirting in 2004, Johnson was a relatively anonymous part of a crowded RBBC in 2005. However, he separated himself from the pack last season and excelled as the feature runner on his way to posting 277-1,713-25, the greatest season by a RB in school history. The AP Third Team All-American led DI-A in scoring and was second in rushing as a key part of the Broncos fairy tale season that ended with striking a major blow for all mid-majors in their defeat of Oklahoma.

Although he plays on a fast track on Boise State's infamous blue turf and has decent speed, Johnson's running style is classic mudder. He grounds out the tough yards, bouncing off arm tackles and dragging defenders downfield despite unexceptional size. Johnson runs with an outstanding natural forward lean complimented with excellent balance and vision. The passing game is about the only area he really needs to show improvement in to help his draft stock. In the limited times he caught a pass, he catches the ball with his body too much. Up front, the team only lost C Jadon Dailey, so he should benefit from running behind mostly the same OLine again this year. The surprising success of Johnson and the team last season means he will not be overlooked this season.

2008 Running Back Draft Class

Stats (from ESPN):

YEAR	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LOST
2005	119	663	5.6	46	4	5	46	9.2	25	0	0	0
2006	276	1714	6.2	59	25	8	55	6.9	21	0	0	0

Breaking Down the Tape:

1st Play - 1st Quarter - 14:52 - Run Fake
Johnson fakes a run up the middle; the pass is complete to the right side; Johnson hustles downfield to attempt to make a block for the WR, but doesn't get a chance to make a block

2nd Play - 1st Quarter - 14:09 - Run Middle
Johnson takes the handoff and goes up the middle; follows his blocker, who gets stuck at