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 - Felix Jones, Arkansas vs. Mississippi
10/27 - Ray Rice, Rutgers vs. West Virginia
11/3 - Ryan Torain, Arizona State vs. Oregon
11/10 - Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State vs. Washington
11/17 - Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina

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.

James Davis - Jr. - Clemson (5'11" 208)
Jersey:#1
Wt: 208
Age on 9/1/2008: 22.68
My Pre-Season Rank: #6
My Current Rank: #6

Tony Nowak's Take:
Burst on the scene as a true freshman in 2005 and quickly took over the starting role from Reggie Merriweather, rushing for almost 1K despite starting just half their games. He started every game in 2006 and improved on his production, but the arrival of blue chip RB recruit C.J. Spiller meant Davis still shared the ball. Davis staked his claim to remain RB1a will 100 yards on just six carries in their spring game, including a 65-yard TD.

While he lacks the home run speed of backfield partner Spiller, he has decent speed. Davis hits the hole with authority and breaks arm tackles well, but runs far too upright for the next level. He is a cut-and-go runner, a good fit for a zone blocking scheme, but may not have the quickness to get the corner in the NFL. Along with the fact he faces the perfect storm building against his draft value, a stacked RB class and a blue chip recruit taking away touches, I'd a bit more conservative on his outlook despite his seemingly inevitable decision to declare early. 2008 Running Back Draft Class

Stats (from ESPN):

YEAR	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LOST
2005	165	879	5.3	40	9	19	152	8.0	22	0	0	0
2006	203	1187	5.8	64	17	6	115	19.2	54	0	0	0