February 22, 2008

Before the season, I first took a look at the running backs headed for the 2008 NFL Draft in this a article. Once the season was underway, we revisited their progress in this update. Now the list of underclassmen who have declared is final and many seniors have shaken their draft status up in all-star games. A weak senior group was bolstered by the addition of eight outstanding underclassmen prospects. As many as five RBs may grade out as first round picks (although it's unlikely more than three will go that early), and all are likely underclassmen. The first senior may not go until the third round. The theme of this year's class is speed. I can't remember a class where so many good RB prospects predict to easily have sub-4.5 40 times. Another noteworthy feature of this year's draft class is the stellar Conference USA prospects that broke out in 2007 (and/or how horrible run defenses were in C-USA). The two top statistical rushers in FBS came out of the conference, along with the FBS all-purpose yardage leader. This list isn't an order of ranking, but rather grouping them by how their draft stock has moved as the season wrapped up.

Moving Up
Players improving their draft stock recently.

Felix Jones (Arkansas 3JR) 6'0" 202 Combine Invite: Yes

As teams went to extremes to avoid kicking off to him, he didn't have much of an opportunity to hit a home run on special teams in the second half of the season. However, he did have his best day rushing the ball in an upset of #23 South Carolina on 11/3/07. While 3JR Darren McFadden tied a SEC record with 321 rushing yards in the game, Jones had a career-high 166 rushing yards on just 13 carries with three TDs, including scoring runs of 40 and 72 yards on back-to-back drives in the first quarter. The team set an FBS record for most combined rushing yards in a single game with 487. Jones also surpassed 1,000 yards in the game to make him and McFadden just the second set of backs in NCAA history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Disappointment followed for Jones and the team the following week at #22 Tennessee. Jones had a 48-yard KO return in the first quarter, but suffered a deep thigh bruise on the play. He eventually left for good in the third quarter with just three yards on three carries. He saw just one play in their next game, a win over Mississippi State, due to the thigh. Jones was fine in time for their huge meeting with #1 LSU on 11/23/07. On a third-and-three deep in their own territory with the game tied, Jones would take a pitch from McFadden on a reverse and race 30 yards to set up a go-ahead TD late in the fourth quarter. In the third OT, he took a pitch to the right on a two-point conversion and raced in for the ultimate game-winning score. He finished with 85 yards on just 9 carries, two receptions for ten yards, and returned three kick-offs for 73 yards. The upset led to a Cotton Bowl appearance where Jones had 10-45-0 and 3-65-0, as well as four kick returns for 88 yards. Jones finished with six less yards rushing (1,162) than in 2006, but on 21 less carries. His amazing 8.7 ypc in 2007 shattered school and SEC records, as did his career 7.66 average per rush. He was fourth in the nation with a 29.64 kick return average, while his 28.21 career average set school and SEC records, while being ninth-highest in FBS history. For most of his career, he had just been recognized as a return specialist. Finally stepping out of McFadden's shadow, he garnered recognition for his running skills with All-SEC second-team honors at RB (he was also first-team return specialist) and AP All-American third-team as an all-purpose back (he was a consensus first-team All American as a return specialist).

Jones is a legit Day One talent on offense before you even factor in he is an elite kick returner. He could have been a feature back on almost any other team in the country. One of the most explosive players in the country, in addition to his exploits as a kick returner, his outstanding ypc confirms his home run ability as a runner. Jones had at least one run of at least thirty yards in nine of 13 games this year and three runs over 70 yards on the season. He has outstanding agility and vision, and is gone in the open field with his world-class speed. Jones can immediately step in as a kick returner and change of pace back with upside and enough size to be a feature back, particularly in a zone blocking scheme where he is asked to be a one-cut runner. Two questions about him that go hand-in-hand relate to his ability to carry the load and succeed in a conventional offense. Many of his big plays came out of gimmick schemes and the every-play concern with McFadden found teams sleeping on Jones, at times. With McFadden carrying the load, Jones wasn't asked to run between the tackles much and he often bounced the play outside when he did. He isn't a power runner now, but has very good size. His upper body needs work, but his frame can hold more bulk and his legs are well developed. Jones had previously contended that he would return for his senior year, but the combination of the coaching changing at Arkansas and his first-round projection from the NFL draft advisory committee made the change of heart a no-brainer. Jones seems to have fallen behind a few of the other outstanding underclassmen RB prospects among most pundits, but he remains my second-rated RB, as I have some questions on Stewart's intangibles, and should be back in the discussion to be the second RB selected when he blows them away at the Combine.

Jonathan Stewart (Oregon 3JR) 5'11" 232 Combine Invite: Yes

Began last season as the nominal starter, but splitting carries regularly with 3JR Jeremiah Johnson. Stewart posted 14-67-0 in their season opening win against Houston, while Johnson was slightly more productive on a few less carries and had two short TD runs. Stewart also returned three kicks for 103 yards. A week after #5 Michigan was upset by FCS Appalachian State, Oregon went in to the Big House and handed the Wolverines their biggest loss in almost four decades. Stewart rushed for a two yard TD in the second quarter after breaking four tackles for a 14-yard gain on a Statue of Liberty play earlier in the drive. He finished with his first 100-yard game of the season. Johnson was similarly productive, finishing with 89 yards on a couple less carries, but also lost a fumble. Stewart had his first huge game of the season in an easy win against Fresno State on 9/15/07. After rushing four times for 29 yards on their second drive, Stewart finished with a nine-yard TD run to give the Ducks a 7-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, he lined up to the right of QB Dennis Dixon in the shotgun and started out behind a student body left, before bursting up the middle untouched for an 88-yard TD. Stewart also had his only fumble of the year in the third quarter. After catching a pass in the flat, it was knocked out, but Oregon recovered to keep possession. He finished 165 yards rushing on 17 carries, almost 10 ypc. Johnson had a 35-yard TD reception, but finished with just four carries for 22 yards as 3SO Andre Crenshaw saw significant work for the first time in the season. Stewart had another big game the following week at Stanford. He helped the Ducks get off to an early 14-0 lead with a ten-yard TD run in the first quarter. After Stanford tied the game in third quarter, Johnson would get the lead back for good with a 12-yard run, among his 14 carries. Stewart broke off a 55-yard run in the fourth quarter to finish with 160 yards on 19 carries. He also had four kick returns for 150 yards, including one for 64 yards, to finish with a career-high 310 all-purpose yards. The Ducks lost for the first time in 2007 against California on 9/29/07 as Dixon had his first miscues of the season, throwing two late picks. Stewart did his job, putting up his fourth-straight 100-yard game and getting the team to a 10-3 halftime lead with a five-yard run. Johnson only saw eight carries. The team bounced back the following week and slaughtered Washington State, but Steward was limited to 66 yards on 13 carries as he rested most of the second half with a minor hand injury. Johnson's season ended in the game when he tore his right ACL. Stewart's workload would increase the rest of the year, starting at Washington the following week. He thrived as the feature back, posting 32-251-2 and 3-20-0 in an easy win. Another solid performance followed in a big win over #9 USC on 10/27/07. Stewart rushed for TDs on back-to-back drives in the second half to give the Ducks the lead, and then the eventual game-winning score. He had his sixth 100-yard game (103) on 25 carries. He rushed for one TD and caught another, but fell a yard short of 100 in another big win over #6 ASU in their next game. The Ducks were up to #2 over their bye week when they faced Arizona on 11/15/07. Dixon, who was dinged in the previous game, left with a knee injury in the first quarter and would be done for the season. Stewart ran for a hard-fought 137 yards on 28 carries, but the team never got over the loss of Dixon and were upset by the Wildcats. Lost in the headlines of losing Dixon, was Stewart leaving the game early with a right ankle and toe injury. He would start the following week, but the team continued to spiral downward behind a pair of redshirt freshmen QBs. Stewart struggled on his sore foot and finished with his worst game of the season, posting just 33 yards on 13 carries. After sitting out practice the next week, the foot didn't seem to be a problem when they faced Oregon State for the Civil War. Stewart had a career-high 39 carries for 163 yards, but the Ducks lost in OT, dropping their third-straight game. After Rose Bowl dreams a few weeks earlier, the Ducks ended up in a Sun Bowl match-up with South Florida. Stewart went out big, setting a Sun Bowl record with a career-high 253 rushing yards, his second 200-yard game of the season, on just 23 carries. The highlight was a 71-yard run he went untouched on a draw up the middle to give the Ducks their first lead of the game. He also caught an eight-yard TD pass in the game. Stewart finished the season leading the PAC-10 with school records of 1,722 yards rushing and 2,481 all-purpose yards. He received first-team PAC-10 all-conference recognition.

Stewart is built like a freight train, but moves like a bullet train. At just under six feet, he is packed with muscle. His 410-lb. bench was the best by a RB in Oregon history and his power clean of 402 lbs. was bested on the team last year only by former teammate and current Raven Haloti Ngata. A former track star, he is a home run hitter, making him a freakish size/speed package. Despite this, he isn't the most physical runner at times, but defenders bounce off him once he's at full speed. He loses some elusiveness when he's at top speed, unable to maintain his agility. I think this contributes to some of his durability problems, which are one of the rare concerns with his potential in the NFL. His running style is conducive to getting banged up regularly. Although he missed just two games in his college career, he has been plagued by injury problems each season, particularly with his ankles. Ball security is a plus. After four fumbles in 2006 on 226 touches, he had just one on 325 touches last season. Great potential as a blocker, but he needs development in that role. Decent hands for a big man. He is a smart player and selfless to a fault, perhaps lacking the desirable borderline arrogance of a RB who demands the ball with the game on the line. QB Dennis Dixon led this team to great success most of the year and while Stewart put up some great numbers in his absence, he couldn't carry the team in some unacceptable losses during a three-game losing streak. Stewart should be one of the more impressive RBs at the Combine in testing and continue to be in the running to be the second RB selected overall.

Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois 3JR) 5'11" 220 Combine Invite: Yes

In the preseason review, I mentioned Mendenhall has the talent to emerge as one of the best RBs in the country this year, and he did that this year. He had just 33 yards on 11 carries, but two TDs, in a loss to Missouri where the Illini struggled. After that, Illinois and Mendenhall went on a tear that featured only a few road bumps on their way to a Rose Bowl appearance. After Mizzou, he had three-straight 100-yard rushing games, including a career-high 214 yards at Indiana on 9/22/07. He posted 18-76-1 and 4-27-0 in a win over #21 Penn State on 9/29/07. An upset the following week of #5 Wisconsin really put the team on the map, and Mendehall led the way. He had 160 yards and two scores on the ground, including a 32-yard run to put Illinois up 7-0 in the first quarter. With less than a TD lead heading in to the fourth quarter, the team went to the ground to eat clock and eventually add to the lead what would be the game-winning difference. In the fourth quarter, they pounded Mendenhall six times for 40 yards and two first downs, including a 24-yard run on the play after a pick early in the period. He also had four receptions for 33 yards and another TD through the air, which was a pitch that was ruled a foward pass. Mendenhall and the team faced a tough two-week stretch in mid-October starting with a disappointing loss at Iowa. He had his first bad game since their season opener, finishing with just 67 yards on 15 carries and not scoring for the first time in 2007. In a mistake-filled loss to Michigan the following week, he was held out of the end zone again, but ran for a respectable 85 yards on 18 carries with four receptions for 26 yards. A visit from Ball State got Mendenhall and the team back on track, as he ran for 189 yards and two TDs in the victory. The following he added two more rushing TDs, including one for 64 yards, and his second 200-yard game of the season as the Illini beat up a struggling Gopher team in Minnesota. The apex of the season for the team this season, and perhaps ever, came on 11/10/07 when they beat the top-ranked Buckeyes in Columbus. Mendenhall had an effective but unspectacular performance, grinding out 88 yards on 26 carries. His most important contribution was 11 carries in two sustained drives in the fourth quarter that helped the Illini protect their lead. They kept the ball all but a minute and change in the fourth quarter on just two possessions, sandwiched by a quick pick thrown by OSU the one time they had the ball. After racking up over 100 yards and two scores rushing in an easy win against Northwestern, a confluence of beneficial upsets in the final games of the season landed the Illini in a BCS bowl, at the Rose Bowl for the first time in 24 years. The biggest underdog in any bowl game, the Illini didn't disappoint, but Mendenhall was on a different page in the second half of the game. After just 27 rushing yards in the first half, he took their second play from scrimmage in the second half up the middle for a 79-yard TD. He had a season-high five receptions for 59 yards and broke a couple more big runs (18 and 29 yards) late as the Trojans sat in prevent defense after building a significant lead. Mendenhall finished with 155 yards rushing on just 17 carries as the team lost for the first time last season when he rushed for more than 100 yards. Mendenhall left Illinois with single-season school records for 100-yard rushing games (8), rushing yards (1,681), all-purpose yards (1,999), rushing TDs (17), and all-purpose TDs (19). His accomplishments were recognized as the Illini's first-ever the Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Despite the loss for the team, Mendenhall made himself some money in the Rose Bowl. Against an opponent full of NFL talent, a team that many considered were playing as good as any in the nation, he had a highlight-reel play and outstanding final numbers. Regardless of most of his numbers coming in garbage time, he etched a spot in the memory banks of some scouts and front offices. A lot of his meteoric rise since then among pundits and draftniks is reactionary hype, but his workouts and measurables should stack up quite nicely for him to be among the top five RBs on the draft board of most teams. In preparation to carry the load this year, Mendenhall hit the weight room hard in the off-season. He emerged almost 20 pounds of muscle heavier and cut like a body builder. He will definitely pass the eyeball test with flying colors at the Combine with the ideal build for a RB. I expect he shows up to the Combine a little lighter to help his 40 time. The conventional wisdom is the weight cost him some speed, but he hit a few home runs this season as his outstanding 6.4 ypc average confirms. His numbers were helped from running in a gimmick option offense with a dual-threat QB who forced LBs to not be able to key on Mendenhall. He ran mostly out of split backfield shotgun sets, with a lot of draws, veers, and pitches. Still, he showed similar success when running more conventional plays out of the I-formation. The offense did benefit his NFL preparation by showcasing his skill as a receiver. Mendenhall was second on the team with 34 receptions. However, most were screens or swing passes, and not executing running routes. Regardless, he showed soft hands and outstanding RAC ability. He is a slasher who accelerates quickly, but loses agility when running at full speed where he slides instead of juking defenders with quick feet. After problems with fumbling in 2006, Mendenhall improved his ball security tremendously. A strong runner who sheds arm tackles easily, delivers a good stiff arm and delivers a blow at the end of the run. In less talented RB classes, he could have been the top prospect at the position, but he still should be off the board by the middle of the second round.

Jamaal Charles (Texas 3JR) 6'1" 203 Combine Invite: Yes

After beginning the season with three consecutive 100-yard games, Charles fumbled on the first carry against Rice on 9/22/07. It was his third fumble lost in the last two games. In a shocking upset in Austin by Kansas State on 9/29/07, Charles rushed for 72 yards on 17 carries, including a six-yard TD run, giving him a TD in each of his first five games. Another relatively disappointing effort followed in the Red River Shootout the following week. Charles rushed for 79 yards on 17 carries and his scoring streak was stopped. It may have survived if he hadn't lost his fourth fumble in four games on the Oklahoma four-yard line in the third quarter with the score tied at 14. However, he wouldn't lose a fumble again for the rest of the season. At Iowa State on 10/13/07, the Longhorns came out passing and got off to a big lead. Charles had 44 yards on just seven carries, including an eight-yard TD, as the rout allowed the other RBs to get some reps and Charles sat out the fourth quarter. On the road the following week, their tenth-straight win over Baylor didn't come as easy as most of the others, with the result in question until late in the game. Charles struggled to put up 56 yards on 16 carries while redshirt freshman Vondrell McGee outperformed him. Charles failed to rush for 100 yards for the fifth consecutive game. A season that started with his coronation as a feature back was building towards bringing the decision in doubt, until Nebraska came to Austin on 10/27/07. Against one of the worst run defenses in the country, Charles would turn his season around in the game. Actually, in one quarter of the game. Charles had 216 of his career-high 290 yards in the fourth quarter, including all three of his TDs. Down by eight on their first drive of the fourth quarter, Charles took a draw 25 yards for a score. A few drives later, Charles took a handoff out of the shotgun around the right end and went untouched for an 86-yard TD to give the Longhorns their first lead since 3-0 in the first quarter. After the Cornhuskers failed to respond, Charles went 40 yards up the middle on the next drive for the decisive score in an eventual 28-25 victory. At Oklahoma State on 11/3/07, Charles brought more late-game heroics for an encore. With the Longhorns down 21-0 in the second quarter, he got them on the board with a 22-yard TD run. Then with the team behind 35-14, Charles had 119 of his 180 yards, including two scores, to lead another fourth quarter comeback. After an 18-yard TD run earlier in the fourth, he closed the deficit to seven on their next drive. Lined up left in shotgun, he took a handoff and started up the middle before going untouched down 75 yards down the left sideline, gaining separation from the defenders chasing him the farther he ran. Charles kept on rolling in the next game, posting 23-174-3 in a victory over Texas Tech despite sitting most of the second half with a sore left ankle. A bye gave him two weeks to heal before they went to Texas A&M. However, his streak of three games with 100 yards was broken when he finished with 17-92-1, and the team's five-game winning streak was also snapped in the loss. Charles did have season highs of four receptions and 81 yards in the game. Texas met Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl and kept scoring almost at will after getting off to a fast start. Charles ended the season strong, rushing for 161 yards on 27 carries including TD runs of 15 and 32 yards. In the game, he joined the illustrious company of Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell and Cedric Benson as the only Longhorns to rush for 1,500 yards in a season. After achieving second-team All-Big 12 honor his first two season, he was recognized with first-team honors for his 2007 season. He originally told HC Mack Brown he would return for his senior year, but later qualified that by saying it was contingent on the evaluation returned from the NFL draft advisory committee. He must have liked what he saw, because Charles is headed to the NFL early, a rarity in the Mack Brown era.

A four-time All-American in track, there is no question Charles will be one of the fastest backs at the Combine. His speed translates well on the field, with his 6.28 ypc average in 2007 built on several long runs. He worked hard to add strength in the off-season and it didn't come at the cost of any speed. He gets up to top speed quickly, but that also poses some other problems. The more I watched him, the more I noticed he lacked elusiveness when he's running because he gets fast so fast. He doesn't make people miss in tight spaces. If the hole his there, his quickness through it and ability to get the corner are more than good enough for the next level, but his agility and awareness are not. Although not used much as a receiver, he has above average skills. He catches the ball with his hands, instead of his body, and has good coordination to adjust to balls when running routes. He hasn't been used as a returner, but appears to have the skills to succeed as one. Excellent physique, well-proportioned, but he could probably use some more bulk to be a workhorse at the next level. While he straightened out his fumbling problems as the season went on, ball security is still a concern. His ascension to elite prospect last season was built on the strength of just a handful of games at the end of the season. They erased memories of his inconsistency and fumbling struggles early in the season, but they remain a concern, although it is noteworthy that the offensive line battled a few key injuries during the season. Charles has all the measurables and some excellent skills with as much potential as any RB in this draft, but he is more raw than most seem to acknowledge. He should have an impressive Combine and keep his stock on the rise to being a lock to go in the first two rounds.

Chris Johnson (East Carolina 4SR) 5'10" 195 Combine Invite: Yes

After bouncing between slot receiver and RB in 2006, Johnson got off to a sporadic start as the featured runner this season. Once in the Conference USA schedule, he began to settle in and produce as a rusher more consistently. He had 147 yards rushing and 2 TDs on 24 carries in a win at Houston on 9/29/07. The next week he set a school record with 372 all-purpose yards and scored four TDs in a win against Central Florida. He had 89 yards and 2 TDs on the ground, five receptions for 89 yards as a receiver, including a 72-yard TD, and almost 200 yards on 4 kick returns, including a 96-yard return for a TD. He followed that up with his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season in an OT win at UTEP. Johnson and ECU struggled against what had been a poor Wolfpack run defense. He managed just 63 yards on 19 carries and lost a fumble that was converted to a TD in the loss. He bounced back with 79 yards and a score on 15 carries in an easy win against UAB. At Memphis the following week on 11/3/07, Johnson had the crown jewel of his breakout season. He shredded the Tigers with TD runs of 16, 44, 70, and 50 yards on his way to a career-high 301 yards rushing (just over 15 ypc). Out of a single-back set he went untouched until in the end zone on an off-tackle left he bounced outside for the 16-yard run in the first quarter. Up 14-3 early in the second quarter, Johnson ran the same play to the right and weaved through traffic before breaking away for the 44-yard score. After an early TD in the fourth quarter by Memphis kept hope alive, put the game away with just over five minutes left. In an I-formation, he took a handoff right and while QB Rob Kass committed to finishing a fake end round to the receiver, Johnson raced untouched 50-yards to seal the victory. He added 12 yards receiving and 95 in kick returns for another career best of 408 all-purpose yards, breaking the school record he set earlier in the year against Central Florida. In a loss at Marshall the following week, he was limited to 12-72-1 and 2-45-0. After a bye week, Tulane and the conference's best run defense came to Greenville. Johnson ran over them for 155 yards on 27 carries, including scores on runs of five and seven yards. He also caught four passes for 85 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown pass. ECU drew #24 Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl where Johnson flashed all his skills for a rare national audience. His first impact came with the Pirates down 7-3 in the first quarter as he lined up to the right of the QB in a shotgun. Johnson took the handoff left turned up through the line bouncing off a couple defenders before taking off down the left sideline and gaining separation from pursuers as he raced to a 68-yard TD. He then took a screen 18 yards for a TD reception in the second quarter to help the Pirates build a 21-point lead. With a seven-point lead late in the game, ECU recovered a fumble and looked in position to run out the clock with less than two minutes to play. However, Johnson had the ball knocked out on his second run of the series and it was returned for a TD to tie the game. After a 30-yard return by Johnson on the subsequent kick gave ECU decent field position, they were able to drive for the game-winning FG. Johnson finished the game with 223 rushing yards, 32 receiving yards and 153 yards on six kick returns for an NCAA Bowl record 408 all-purpose yards, tying his total from the Memphis game. Johnson had the misfortune of playing in the same conference with the two top statistical rushers in FBS (Tulane's Matt Forte' and UCF's Kevin Smith), so despite finishing with 236-1,423-17 rushing and 37-528-6 receiving, he was only a second-team RB on the C-USA All-Conference team. However, having set multiple team and conference records as a returner, he was also recognized as the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year. Johnson got an invite to the Senior Bowl, but hurt his left shoulder in the second practice and was done for the week. He is expected to be fine for the Combine.

Johnson was a poor man's Devin Hester heading in to the 2007. He showed elite speed (the team timed him at sub-4.3 in the 40 last year) to create game-breaking plays and was already a top kick returner, but lacked a true position. After breaking out as the conference's All-Freshman RB of the year in 2004, his productivity as a runner declined in 2005. Last year he was primarily a receiver, which led to my original exclusion of him. However, he emerged as a feature RB this year and finished the season leading FBS in all-purpose yardage. Johnson lacks the fundamentals and instincts of an RB, getting by on his athleticism, but has improved this year thanks to an excellent work ethic. His obvious improvements as a runner include running low with good pad level through the line and bouncing off arm tackles. However, he tries to bounce everything outside to hit the home run, which won't work at the next level. He has good hands and has been successful as a receiver, but runs a bit too clunky in routes. Ball security has been a consistent problem, not helped by unusually small hands. He lacks ideal size for a feature RB, but is stronger despite a lean frame. An elite kick returner, he is the perfect prospect for a change of pace back with potential to emerge as more. Johnson should have a 'wow' effect on scouts and front office personnel not familiar with him at the Combine and continue rising up draft boards. When you consider his return ability with promising, if raw, skills to be more, I can't see him going later than the second round.

Raymell "Ray" Rice (Rutgers 3JR) 5'9" 200 Combine Invite: Yes

After an easy start, the team's big expectations for the season took a hit with back-to-back loses at home against Maryland and to open the Big East season against Cincinnati. Rutgers fell behind early to Maryland, forcing them away from the running game and leaving Rice with a pedestrian 21-97-1 on the ground. Athletic Terrapin MLB Erin Henderson followed Rice around all night in a game plan constructed and successfully executed to win by containing Rice. Rice got more carries, but found less success against the Bearcats. He 94 yards on 34 carries and scored a one-yard TD run for the second straight game. Things got easier their next game at Syracuse, where Rice originally committed before changing his mind when HC Paul Pasqualoni was fired after the 2004 season. Against one of the worst run defenses in the nation, Rice put up a more Rice-like 36-196-3. One positive factor for Rice across in that stretch of games was his increased use as a receiver. He caught four passes in each, those 12 in just three games were as many as he caught his first two years. With his Heisman hopes dissipating, as well as the team's national championship dream over, Rice and the Scarlet Knights both salvaged the season after a short week. They defeated surprisingly second-ranked South Florida on 10/18/07. USF hadn't allowed a rusher 100 yards in 15 games, since they last faced Rice over a year ago and he put up 202. On the Thursday night game for a national TV audience, Rice rushed for 181 yards on 39 carries. The next two games brought more disappointment to the team, as they were blown out by WVU and upset by UConn. Rice did his part, rushing for 142 yards on 30 carries against WVU, then posting 21-117-1 and 4-31-0 at UConn. An easy win at Army padded Rice's rushing stats with another 243 yards and two TDs. Rice would face one of the worst defenses in FBS at Louisville to close the season on 11/29/07. He got off to a great start, rushing for three first-half TDs and helping Rutgers get up to an 18-point lead early in the third quarter. However, the inconsistent Cardinals woke up half way through the third quarter and started to turn things around against the team that upset them in 2006 when they were ranked third. Louisville responded to Rutgers third quarter TD with one of their own. On the subsequent drive, Rutgers got all the way to the Louisville three-yard line, with Rice contributing five carries for 23 yards to get there. Then Rice lost a yard on his sixth carry of the drive and an incomplete pass that followed forced the Scarlet Knights to settle for a FG and a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter. A big kick-off return gave Louisville great field position, which they quickly converted to a TD. Rice had a nice eight-yard gain on the following drive, but it was sandwiched by an incomplete pass and a sack, forcing a punt. Louisville responded with another quick TD, tying the game. With momentum having swung and Rutgers in chaos at how quickly their lead was gone, Rice was limited to three carries the rest of the game, netting two yards. He finished with 30-120-3 in the loss, handcuffed from helping seal the win by circumstances of how the final period unfolded. Rice finished his collegiate career with another record-breaking day in the International Bowl against Ball State. He had a personal best four rushing TDs, including a rare home run of 90 yards where he shed a Ball State DB with a stiff arm at full speed, and broke his own school-record with 280 yards rushing, giving FBS three 2000-yard runners for the first time ever. In addition to becoming the 13th player in FBS division history to run for 2,000 yard, he left Rutgers with many of their rushing records. Rice was recognized with AP All-American second-team honors for the second consecutive season.

Rice runs with an excellent natural forward lean and cuts at full speed with great balance, always seeming to make the right decision thanks to his vision and instincts. He breaks arm tackles and ends runs with surprising power thanks to his thick legs. He gets to full speed quickly, sometimes too quickly, as he sometimes beats his blockers to the hole, but no wasted movement in the backfield. However, his next gear lacks elite speed. Although he reportedly ran sub-4.5 times consistently at Rutgers, that (if true) doesn't translate to the field. Rice was caught from behind frequently after easily getting to the second level initially. This may contribute to him being a very disciplined runner. Unlike a lot of college backs, he doesn't try to bounce everything outside. Rice understands the value of stacking three- or four-yard carries on a defense and not always looking to hit the home run. Although he's been extremely durable (he never missed a game at Rutgers), he has a lot of wear and tear in his collegiate career. He ended the season second to only senior Mike Hart in career carries for the FBS division, and no FBS player has carried the ball more than him the last three years. He was a consistent workhorse and featuring him was a key factor in the Scarlet Knights going 26-12 in his career and win their first two bowl games ever, after more than a decade of failing to finish above .500 and almost 30 years without a bowl appearance. They were 19-6 when Rice rushed 100+ and 9-2 when he had 30+ carries. However, he has been a feature back almost since day one. After splitting carries with Brian Leonard the first few games of his freshman season, HC Greg Schiano quickly saw he best served featuring Rice and using the multi-talented Leonard as a complimentary player. This means Rice has no special teams experience, much less as a returner. While he improved this past season in the passing game, particularly as a receiver with 25 receptions after just 12 his first two years, he still needs more development. The bottom line is he lacks elite speed and the size of a feature back at the next level, as well as the skills to immediately step in as a change of pace back and returner, or the speed to be an ideal fit there. This means a team will have to be sold on him as a future feature back or have the patience and confidence in developing him in to an outstanding complimentary player. Despite his size, and as a credit to the authority with which he runs between the tackles, he had an excellent nose for the end zone, as his school-record 49 rushing TDs while playing two years with Brian Leonard prove. He could see his stock drop a bit after the Combine if his speed and receiving disappoint. However, his tremendous ability is easily evident on film and what you see on the field makes him worth a Day One pick and an absolute steal if he somehow falls to the fourth round.

Kevin Smith (Central Florida 3JR) 6'1" 211 Combine Invite: Yes

Pundits talk about him like a one-hit wonder, but Smith was the second-leading D-IA rusher among true freshman in 2005, finishing with 249-1,178-9. He ended the season with a 202 yard rushing day in a Hawaii Bowl win over Nevada, including a game-record 78 yard TD run. In 2006, his season was impeded by a one-game suspension and a right shoulder injury that cost him the final two games. He still ran for 934 yards, including three games over 150 yards, and caught 23 passes for another 158. However, he escaped anonymity and heads to the NFL draft early on the strength of his record-breaking junior year. In their season-opener at NC State, Smith set the tone for 2007 when he ran for a school-record 80 yard TD on the first play of the game. He finished the victory with 35-217-2. In their second game against Texas, Smith and school both rose in national prominence. The Knights gave the #6 Longhorns all they could handle, taking a one-point lead in to the fourth quarter before ultimately falling. Smith led the way with 149 yards and two TDs against a top ten rush defense. His second TD came on a three-yard run in the third quarter, although it should have come on a longer run the previous play. After already breaking a 36 yard run, Smith tried to somersault in to the end zone. However, he stepped out of bounds as he planted for the flip. Fortunately for Smith, he prevented being remembered as a goat in the game by erasing his mistake on the next play. Smith would go over 100-yards in each of the next three games, including a 33-223-3 effort against Louisiana-Lafayette, including a 56-yard TD run. Rare disappointment faced Smith and the team when they visited #5 USF, who also made a national name for themselves in 2007, on 10/13/07. Smith had his worst game on season lows of 18 carries and 55 yards, the only game in the season he didn't rush for over 100 yards, although he had six carries for 37 yards on the team's lone TD drive. Smith got back on track going over 170 yards in each of teams next three wins, including four receptions for 48 yards and an 87-yard TD run against Marshall to break his own school-record he set on his first carry of the season. Then at UAB on 11/10/07, Smith had his ultimate career-game in a year full of them. He broke the school's single-season rushing record in the game, on his way to breaking the school's single-game rushing record with 320 yards on 41 carries. He also tied the school mark for 100-yard games and, with four TDs in the victory, set a new conference mark for rushing TDs in a season. The following week he rushed for 177 yards and two scores before resting the second half in an easy win at SMU. He broke the 2000-yard mark on his way to 219 yards on a career-high 46 carries in a win over UTEP on 11/24/07. With Tulane's Matt Fort reaching 2,000 rushing yards the previous week, FBS had two 2K rushers for the first time since 1996. Byron Hanspard and Troy Davis didn't turn out well in the NFL, but Smith and Fort are much better NFL prospects. In the Conference USA Championship game, he posted his fifth 200-yard game of the season and sixth of his career with 39-284-4 in a win over Tulsa. With just 181 yards needed to pass Barry Sanders for the single-season FBS rushing record, Smith ran in to a Mississippi State defense in the Liberty Bowl that had stopped Darren McFadden and Matt Fort during the regular season. They held him to 119 yards on 35 carries, his second-lowest total of the season and kept him out of the end zone for only the second time this season. Smith finished the season with pretty much every team and conference single-season rushing record. His 450 carries passed Marcus Allen for the most in a single-season by an FBS rusher and he passed Allen for the second highest season total with 2,567 rushing yards. His 29 rushing TDs were the fourth most in FBS single-season history. His record-breaking season was recognized with the Conference USA Player of the Year award and as almost a consensus first-team All-American.

Despite his early intentions indicating he would return for his last season of eligibility, and even holding a press conference before the Liberty Bowl to confirm the decision, Smith changed his mind shortly in to 2008. He had relied on the feedback of HC George O'Leary and never requested an official evaluation from the NFL Advisory Committee for underclassmen. Originally citing that he wanted to get "bigger, faster, stronger" before moving to the next level, which apparently occurred during the next three weeks. The loyalty to the program and his desire to chase Ron Dayne's DI-A career rushing record (of which he was 1,837 yards shy of) also seem to have dissipated after Drew Rosenhaus got in his ear.

Smith comes upright early off the snap, but hits the hole quickly, although sometimes too quickly. He isn't patient in letting his blocks set up, sometimes passing linemen on sweeps and pitches because defenders aren't there yet, which won't be the case at the next level. His vision is very good, but he has some wasted footwork behind the line when the hole is filled, with a tendency to hop or slide, instead of cut and go. Playing in mostly one-back sets or out of the shotgun has not helped him develop the footwork or timing to run in a standard I-formation. He is still an elusive runner and shows better agility in the open field, avoiding big hits once in the second level. However, he runs high and doesn't show the best ball security when making moves, especially when hopping or sliding around. Smith hits his second gear quickly once in the second level, accelerating as he runs. He adds value as a receiver, but has no experience as a returner. One frequent critique of Smith is that he doesn't have elite speed, but if he doesn't, it is seems good enough. He had over twenty runs for more than 20 yards, including four of more than 70 yards, all for scores. He is the first player in 64 years (Buddy Young, Illinois) to rush for three TDs of 80+ yards in a season. The other knock on him is related to size, which I agree with. Smith is built more like a receiver and his lanky frame needs bulk, especially in his upper body, which lacks definition. Despite being just a junior, his ridiculous workload this past season gives him 905 carries (third highest most among active players at the end of the season) in just 36 games, so he has put a lot of mileage on his tires quickly. You can downplay his accomplishments as mostly coming against mid-major competition, but you can't overlook his consistently incredible production. Fundamentally he needs a lot of improvement, so I don't see him making an impact as an every down player immediately. He is raw, but his natural talent and potential are very good. I think he'll impress people more than expected at the Combine, except in strength, and his steady rise since his first carry of the season continues.

Matt Forte' (Tulane 4SR) 6'1" 221 Combine Invite: Yes

After three solid, but unspectacular, seasons at mid-major Tulane, no one expected the season Fort dropped in 2007. He started quietly with 14-47-1 and 6-49-0 in a loss to Mississippi State in their season opener, where he lost two fumbles. A slight improvement of 85 yards on 17 carries followed in a loss to Houston before his breakout game against Southeastern Louisiana on 9/22/07. Looking for his first win with the Green Wave, HC Bob Toledo came out with a simple game plan: feeding Fort the ball. Despite a long run of just 44 yards, Fort pounded out 303 yards and five TDs on 40 carries, breaking Mewelde Moore's school record for rushing yards in a single game and a 77-year old school record for rushing TDs in a single game. They were shellacked at LSU by the #2 Tigers the next game, where Fort was limited to 73 yards rushing and lost a fumble. The Fort Plan got back on track the next week, and beyond. He would rattled off four-straight 200-yard games, highlighted by breaking his own school record set earlier in the season with 342 rushing yards at SMU on 10/20/07, including a career-long 77-yard TD and a game-winning nine-yard TD in OT, among the four he scored. However, it was the only game of the four the team won during the stretch. The string was snapped against Memphis on 10/27/07, where he had "just" 103 yards rushing. He would rush for over a 100 yards in the final three games, highlighted a 39-194-5 performance at Rice on 11/17/07. Fort also went over 2,000 rushing yards for the season in that game. With 4-8 Tulane not in a bowl game, his next stop was the Senior Bowl. After reportedly impressing in practice during the week with his burst and power running, he went on to be the MVP of the game. He led the South with 59 rushing yards and four receptions, netting 97 all-purpose yards. Ball security remained a problem, as he even had a fumble in the Senior Bowl. He had the misfortune of playing not only the same year, but the same conference, as Kevin Smith of UCF, who led FBS in rushing. So despite school records of 2,127 rushing yards and 23 rushing TDs, he did not even lead his conference. He was still recognized with Smith at RB on the C-USA all-conference first team. Fort also was voted an AP third-team All-American.

His biggest games came against some poor competition. In addition to being poor teams overall, they were among the worst run defenses in the country. Out of 119 FBS teams, his five 200-yard games came against the #74 (Southeastern LA), #99 (SMU), #103 (Memphis), #117 (Army), and #119 (UAB) ranked run defenses. In all, he faced six of the twenty worst run defenses in FBS in 2007. The built-in counterpoint to analysis like this always is the fact that the outstanding game the runner had against the team impacts their ranking and hence skews the results. Playing in the same conference as UCF's Kevin Smith and his 2,500 rushing yards means the ranking of most of those teams was dragged down by him too. Perhaps the real story here is how incredibly poor run defenses were in C-USA in 2007. However, relative to Forte' the consistency of the evidence is overwhelming, especially when juxtaposed against the relatively unimpressive performance he had against an elite run defense like LSU (16-73-0 although that wasn't his worst game of the year) or the one non-conference opponent common to Fort and Smith, Mississippi State. On the other hand, Fort had no supporting cast. He wore a bulls-eye on his back every game and still delivered. Furthermore, his outstanding Senior Bowl practice and games performances went a long way to legitimizing his accomplishments. The Combine will be the next step in unraveling this enigma. He doesn't have elite speed and isn't a home run hitter. Despite his huge rushing total, he had only one run over 50 yards, so his speed is unlikely to be impressive. A big, bruising back with good burst and balance, as well as plus hands, but with production that was possibly a fluke, he is one of the more intriguing RB prospects. With all the quality and safer bets at RB in this draft, I can't see a team reaching for him in the first two rounds.

Thomas Brown (Georgia 4SR) 5'8" 198 Combine Invite: Yes

Splitting carries with just redshirt freshman Knowshon Moreno while Lumpkin was out, Brown was building some mid-season momentum. He had a solid 74 yards rushing on 20 carries and five receptions, including a 10-yard TD on the opening drive, in their OT win at Alabama on 9/22/07. The following week, he had the best statistical game of his career, rushing for 180 yards and three TDs on just 16 carries in a big win over Mississippi. However, at some point in that game, Brown broke his collarbone. Brown actually practiced that week, then had six carries and three kick returns before leaving their loss at Tennessee on 10/6/07. He missed the Vanderbilt game on 10/13/07 and, despite a bye leading up to it, also their huge win over Florida and the following week against Troy. Meanwhile, Moreno was blowing up as the feature back. Brown returned for the final four games and while Moreno remained the starter, Brown played well, outperforming him at times. Brown averaged 18 carries and 91.5 rushing yards in the last four games, including a TD in each. After the Bulldogs got off to a big lead behind Moreno in the Sugar Bowl, Brown carried the load to finish the win over Hawaii. Brown had 19 carries for 73 yards in his last game. His stock rose at the Shrine Game, impressing as a runner and, despite just 39 catches in his career, a receiver during practice and at the game. Even the announcers gave him props, including a highlight reel, for an extended segment in the third quarter. He took a screen for a nice 18 yard gain on the drive. East HC Dick Vermeil mentioned Brown as one of two players he wanted to feature in the game because of his skills and ability. Vermeil followed through, giving Brown a game-high ten carries, on which he gained 38 yards.

After an amazing return in less than a year from a torn ACL, Brown again showed incredible dedication and toughness going through a week of practice and part of a game with a broken collarbone. Regardless, durability is a major concern. He never played every game in a season and the last two were particularly injury-plagued. The other strike against him is size. However, he is, pound-for-pound, the strongest Bulldog ever. Prior to his junior season, he benched, squatted, and power-cleaned 1,427 pounds. At a weight of 190 pounds at the time, that gave him 7.55 body index, the highest in UGA history, according to strength coach Dave Van Halanger. Brown translates his strength well as a runner in his ability to pound the line and break tackles despite his size. He runs low with good vision, following his blockers and then good burst in to the hole. Good quickness and agility with better than average speed make him elusive in the second level. He is a willing blocker and special teams player, adding value as a kick returner and gunner, although not having experience as a punt returner. Size and durability are big concerns, but I think they will make him a Day Two steal. Brown wore number 20 because Barry Sanders was his idol, and while I wouldn't compare his potential to anywhere near Sanders, there are similarities in their games. He remains an intriguing multi-purpose talent whose toughness just adds to the perception, when you roll in his intangibles, of being a player who has "it" to find a role at the next level. I expect he'll impress at the Combine and the late rise in his draft stock should continue.

Jalen Parmele (Toledo 4SR) 5'11" 219 Combine Invite: Yes

After being a back-up his first two seasons, Parmele broke out his junior year in 2006 with 1,170 yards, good for third in the MAC. He took the next step forward in 2007, posting career high numbers across the board. The apex of his season being 241 yards and two TDs on 38 carries to come out on the winning end of a conference dual with Kalvin McRae and Ohio on 10/20/07. Parmele was a consistent workhorse, getting at least 16 carries and 74 rushing yards in every game, including seven-straight 100 yard games. He finished with 1,511 rushing yards and 14 TDs on 276 carries and was recognized with first-team All-MAC for the second straight season. With almost 126 ypg, he was the ninth-leading rusher in D-I FBS.

Parmele was the leading rusher in the Hula Bowl with 46 yards on 6 carries, including a one-yard TD run in the fourth quarter and showing nice elusiveness on a game-high 26 yard run, helping the Aina to an easy win. He is a big back with good power, vision, and patience who succeeded with an average line on a mediocre team. The team reported he ran a 4.40 40 and had a vertical of almost 42 this spring. His workouts will be key as his achievements came against mostly mid-major competition. While his college eligibility is up, he still has a semester of school left. However, he is taking it off to train for the Combine. He is known for his work ethic, which will help him on special teams and his perception by teams. He has flown under the radar and his value will continue to rise if he impresses as I expect in the next phase of evaluation and teams start pulling video on him.

Justin Forsett (California 4SR) 5'8" 190 Combine Invite: Yes

Forsett's string of four-straight games with 100 yards rushing was snapped in their loss at UCLA on 10/20/07, as was his streak of at least one TD in each of the first seven games, but problems started for Forsett and the Cal running game in the week before in their shocking upset against Oregon State. On first-and-goal from the OSU two-yard line early in the third quarter, Forsett was stopped on four consecutive runs. He still finished with 150 yards rushing and a TD against an excellent run defense, including a 45-yard run on his first carry, but also lost his first fumble of the season earlier in the game. The downward spiral for Cal and Forsett continued with their third consecutive loss at ASU on 10/27/07. Forsett was held to just 62 yards on 17 carries. He got back on track with 129 yards and two TDs, including a game-winning 44-yard run late in the fourth quarter, on 31 carries against Washington State on 11/3/07. Despite Forsett's best game of the season, Cal couldn't top USC in the rain on 11/10/07. Forsett ran for 164 yards on 31 carries, including a 17-yard TD to get the Bears a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Down by seven with three minutes to play, he also caught a screen and took it 34 yards to keep hope alive, until QB Nate Longshore threw a pick on the next play. He had his third straight 100-yard game in a loss to Washington and 96 in a loss at Stanford, as the Bears struggled mightily in PAC-10 play. After being on the verge of a #1 ranking on the final play of the Oregon State game, Cal would go on to lose six of their final seven regular season games and just barely qualify for post-season play. However, dreams of a BCS Bowl were replaced by a date at the Armed Forces Bowl with Air Force. Forsett posted 23-140-2 and 3-21-0 in the come-from-behind victory. He was the shortest back at the Senior Bowl, but had unusually large hands (10.5 inches). From all reports, he was extremely impressive during practice both for his unexpected toughness as an inside runner and quickness to the outside, as well as overall elusiveness. He definitely appears to solidified his standing as one of the top change of pace backs in the draft. In the game, he led the North with 9 carries, on which he gained 27 yards. Forsett was recognized with first-team All- PAC-10 honors.

The loss of the left side of their 2006 offensive line didn't seem to be a problem early in the season, but the running game struggled during the second third of the season. Forsett got back on track, holding off big-play true freshman Jahvid Best and productive redshirt freshman James Montgomery, but the team did not. If there was any doubt that he could be a workhorse runner, his 304 carries answered any skeptics. His 2007 rushing attempts more than doubled his total from his first three years, and he was one of only five FBS backs with more than 300 for the season. Not surprisingly as the feature back, he saw more work in the passing game. His 22 receptions also more than doubled his total from his first three years. He is also a willing and fundamentally solid blocker in the passing game, improving his value as a third-down back. He didn't work in the kicking game this past season, but has before, although the results weren't exciting. He did see some work as a returner in Senior Bowl practice, a job he'll have to develop in to help his opportunities in the NFL. Forsett broke off a couple big runs this year, but doesn't have breakaway speed and gets caught from behind. His most noticeable asset as a runner is his explosion out of his stance. I expect his 10 yard split and cone drill times will be impressive at the Combine. He isn't a very smooth runner, a flurry of knees and elbows, so it will be interesting to see if he worked on form leading up to the Combine to help make him more efficient and shave some time off his 40-yard dash. Regardless of how pretty, he is very effective. His acceleration gets him to the hole quickly, where his vision and instincts take over and an elusiveness to make people miss. His toughness is on display when he gets the sideline, as he never runs out of bounds, looking for one more cutback opportunity or to end the run delivering the blow. A solid 190 pounds, he doesn't have much room to add more bulk on his sub-5'8" frame. Unfortunately for him, without elite speed, there will be concerns if he can translate his impressive skills at the next level. Unless he surprises at the Combine, he is looking locked in as a Day Two selection.

Jacob Hester (Louisiana State 4SR) 5'11" 230 Combine Invite: Yes

After holding off multiple more athletically talented options throughout his career by being consistent and reliable, Hester went from situational player to captain and starting every game at running back for the national champs in 2007. He led the team in rushing (with his first 1K season) and TDs with 13 (12 rushing). His showcase game came in one of LSU's miracle late-game victories, a 28-24 win over #7 Florida after being down by ten in the fourth quarter. Hester had his first 100-yard game of his career, putting up 106 yards on 23 carries and scoring the game-winning TD on a two-yard run with a minute left in the game. He suffered a thigh bruise that slowed him the next few games. In the SEC Championship, he had 120 yards on 23 carries, his fourth 100-yard game of the season. In the BCS National Championship, he finished with 86 yards on 21 carries, including a one-yard TD run. He was recognized with second-team All-SEC honors. At the Senior Bowl, he worked at both RB and FB, impressing with his versatility. In the game he had one carry for five yards and one reception for nine.

Hester is a throwback multi-purpose tweener like Peyton Hillis, but a better runner. Hester is closer to Mike Alstott than Brian Leonard, but not as big. Very strong trunk and lower body that generate power for good explosion out of his stance and to move the pile, making him an outstanding short-yardage runner. However, he needs to add some bulk to be a true fullback at the next level. Hester has extremely sound fundamentals that contribute to his success. Good footwork, runs good routes, catches the ball with his hands, and gets in position for blocks. Lack of straight-line speed means he'll be pigeon-holed in to being looked at as a fullback or H-back, but has surprised before. However, he did have a career-long 87-yard TD against Louisiana Tech. He is also an excellent special teams player, one of the top tacklers on their punt coverage team. Hester will find a role at the next level and be a solid contributor, but probably not as a feature back.

Cory Boyd (South Carolina 4SR) 6'0" 214 Combine Invite: Yes

After struggling in their loss at LSU, Boyd had solid, but unspectacular, production as a runner in wins against Mississippi State and a huge win over Kentucky. He had three receptions for 47 yards and a TD vs. the Wildcats. However, junior Mike Davis saw a bit more work in the running game in both games. At North Carolina, Davis lost his first fumble as a Gamecock and then had another in the third quarter, but was ruled down. After that, Davis didn't see much work, allowing Boyd to roll up 95 yards on a season-high 20 carries. The team struggled in the second half and almost blew the game. Despite decent final numbers, Boyd was ineffective late in the second half as the team tried to protect the lead. They had several three-and-outs, mostly featuring Boyd running. The following week at Vanderbilt, neither RB saw much work as the offensive problems from the second half of their previous game continued. The ended up losing to the Commodores at home in a huge upset. Boyd had just 5 carries for 49 yards (Davis had 6 carries), but he did have 5 receptions for 55 yards, as well. After that game, there were some changes in the offensive line and Boyd appears to be an immediate beneficiary. Although they lost their next game at Tennessee on 10/27/07, Boyd ran for a career-high 160 yards and a TD on 20 carries. He also had 25 yards receiving on a career-high six receptions. He had a solid 17-94-1 and 3-38-0 in their loss at Arkansas. Boyd's one-yard TD run in the fourth quarter brought the Gamecocks within seven, until ARK RB Darren McFadden ran 80 yards for a score on the Razorbacks next play from scrimmage as part of his record-breaking day. The Arkansas game was the start of Boyd seeing separation in carries from Davis, which continued for the final three games. Against Florida on 11/10/07 he was held to 47 yards on 17 carries, but had three short TD runs in the loss. He also caught three passes for 53 yards. Two weeks later, the Gamecocks collapse the second half of the season ended with their fifth loss in a row against Clemson. Boyd finished with 19-74-0 and a 39-yard reception. He finished his career joining Stanley Pritchett as the only Gamecocks to have over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. An invite to the Shrine Game gave him an opportunity to showcase his receiving ability for scouts in practice and the game. He also worked in at fullback, which he could be a path for him at the next level. He has worked in that role at time with Davis in the backfield at South Carolina, as well. Boyd was one of the most productive players in the Shrine Game, leading the East with three receptions and rushing for 36 yards on nine carries, including a five-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Despite possessing good size, Boyd doesn't have much power as a rusher. He needs to hit the weight room and add strength. This was highlighted in his inability to wear down the defense in the UNC game. He has average speed, but good balance and vision. Not a home run hitter, his longest run in 2007 was 29 yards and he has none over 40 yards for his career. One of his best assets for the next level is his pass catching ability and playing in pro-style spread offense under HC Steve Spurrier. Boyd finished second on the team with 36 receptions. He isn't limited to screens and dumps, Boyd can run legitimate routes and grab the ball out of the air. His maturity has been an issue in the past, he was suspended in 2005 for multiple off-field, non-academic incidents. However, his perception has improved the last two years and he graduated in December. He is an intriguing prospect who didn't post great numbers because of splitting carries with Davis. Despite a lackluster end to his season, I think his stock is slightly rising after a strong week at the Shrine Game.

Anthony Alridge (Houston 5SR) 5'9" 168 Combine Invite: Yes

After a big start to the season at Oregon, Colorado State seemed to have the blue print to stop him. However, Alridge bounced back to impress with not the big play, but as a grinder against East Carolina and at Alabama. Both games were loses, but his efforts were impressive. He posted 21-89-1 on the ground and 5-43-1 through the air against ECU. His 30-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter against the Crimson Tide almost sparked a huge upset. It was one of his team-leading seven catches for 94 yards. Alridge also pounded out 100 yards on the ground at a 5.9 ypc average, despite no run longer than 17 yards. It would be the first of a five-game streak of 100-yard rushing games. Alridge had his second 200-yard rushing game of the season in an offensive extravaganza against Rice on 10/13/07. He followed up a 33-yard TD run with an amazing 50-yard TD run on the next drive in the fourth quarter that finally got him a little recognition on ESPN as one of the top ten plays of the day. He had two other scores for a single-game career best four rushing TDs. The Alridge Express ran through UAB for another 100 yards and 2 score, then blew up at UTEP on a season-high 27 carries for his third 200-yard rushing game of the season on 10/27/07. He tied a school record with the fourth 200-yard game of his career. In a their fourth-straight win against SMU, Alridge had a career-high 31 carries, which got him 154 yards and two TDs. He also caught two passes and threw a TD pass. In a big loss at Tulsa on 11/10/07, he slipped under 100 yards, with 91 on 16 carries. Alridge was back over 100 yards the next two games. He had 103 rushing yards on 25 carries, including a three-yard TD run, and 44 yards on five catches, including a 26-yard TD reception, against Marshall on 11/17/07. He followed that up 11-157-2, including TD runs of 52 and 35 yards, in a win over Texas Southern to end the regular season. Despite over 1,500 rushing yards, over another 400 receiving, and 19 TDs, he was only recognized with second-team All-Conference USA honors. He was unfortunately in the same conference as fellow 2008 prospects Kevin Smith (UCF) and Matt Fort (Tulane), who were the top two rushers in FBS, respectively. The team earned a trip to the Texas Bowl and Alridge entered the game as the nation's seventh-leading rusher. However, he had a poor showing in the game against TCU in front of his hometown fans at Reliant Stadium. Alridge finished with a season-low 29 yards on 15 carries in the loss. While disappointing, TCU shutting down a running game in a bowl is hardly a surprise recently. In the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl, they held the similarly-diminutive Garrett Wolfe, who led the nation in rushing that year, to 28 yards. The TCU defense also completely stopped Iowa State's Stevie Hicks in the 2005 Houston Bowl.

Alridge had a chance to redeem himself, back for one more game in Robertson Stadium, his college home field, for the Shrine Game. He had just six yards on four carries, but one of them was a four-yard TD run in third quarter on which he made an ankle-breaking cut before bursting through for the West's second TD in the victory. He also had two receptions for 39 yards in the game. During the week of practice, he impressed with his speed and quickness, but confounded scouts on where he could play at his size.

"Quick Six" as he's known for his ability to take any touch to the house, remained one of the most explosive players in the country despite taking on the role of workhorse in the Cougar offense. After work as a WR in 2005, he broke out as a multi-purpose home threat in 2006, before settling in as the featured runner in 2007. He averaged 20 carries per game and his 42 receptions were good for third on the team. Due to being featured on offense, his kick return duties were scaled back, he had just nine returns in 2007, but he still had two for 32 yards and one for 57 yards. Most of his big plays this year were from scrimmage, where he averaged over 6 ypc on the ground and almost 10 ypr through the air. While his emergence as a feature runner helped gain him recognition, he won't be looked at for that role at the next level. He goes to the Combine as a RB, but will earn a spot as a returner and look to gain snaps as a change of pace back and/or slot receiver. His size and strength are major obstacles to an opportunity for regular work at the next level. What he brings is elite quickness and speed. He is a candidate to be the fastest RB at the Combine, where he should finally get the wider recognition that has been lacking from the media and fans. While he has been a productive receiver, his hands are inconsistent. It takes his big plays to offset the catches he doesn't, or because of his size isn't able, to make. The "Devin Hester Effect" makes him appealing, even if teams will struggle with where to put him on offense.

Dantrell Savage (Oklahoma State 4SR) 5'8" 187 Combine Invite: Yes

The importance of Savage to the offense was seen in an embarrassing loss at Troy during the time he missed their second and third games of the season with groin and abdomen injuries. Savage returned to roll off ten-straight 100-yard games, including every conference game. The highlight was a career-high 212 yards on 25 carries at Nebraska, including a 30-yard TD run around the left end, to lead the Cowboys to their first win in Lincoln in 20 games. UT RB Jamaal Charles got the best of their head-to-head match-up on 11/3/07, but Savage still got his 100 yards and maintained a two-yard lead over Charles to lead the Big 12 in rushing at the time. Savage had another impressive performance in a rout by the Sooners at Oklahoma. He was their only productive offensive weapon in the loss, rushing for 108 yards on 19 carries and scoring their only two TDs. He caught a 16-yard pass in the first quarter and then briefly brought them in striking distance with a six-yard TD run to make it a 28-17 game before the Sooners ran off 21 unanswered points. The former JUCO transfer ended his career as a Cowboy with exactly 100 yards rushing and a TD in their Insight Bowl win over Indiana. In conference play, he led the Big 12 with 1,002 rushing yards and a 125.2 ypg average. Overall, he was second to Charles in the conference for the year, finishing with 115.6 ypg against all opponents. His outstanding performance was recognized with first-team All-Big 12 honors and was also on the conference's all-academic team. He originally accepted an invite to the Shrine Game, before getting a call for the Senior Bowl. He performed as expected during practice: struggling inside, but showing burst to the edge with elusiveness and speed in the open field. He also showed good hands, which will be key for the change of pace role that appears his ceiling at the next level. In the game, Savage was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-one in the second quarter, but then had a nice eight-yard gain on a draw on a third-and-six the following drive. He finished with seven carries for 22 yards.

After getting healthy, Savage quickly turned his season around. He squeezed productive true freshman Kendall Hunter out of the picture and gave the team no reason to let once-promising sophomore Keith Toston out of the dog house due to fumble problems earlier in the season. A slippery runner with great cutback ability, he can also take any touch the distance. Although he has home run speed, his longest run was 30 yards and his longest reception was 40 yards. Still, he averaged 5.7 ypc. He showed significant improvement in the passing game, finishing with 27-259-2 after just eight receptions in 2006. He even threw a TD pass last year. His pass blocking is solid, but he's overwhelmed by larger defenders. An undersized player with a lean frame, he was the lightest RB at the Senior Bowl and will probably be the second-lightest at the Combine (behind Anthony Alridge). Durability has been an issue, as he's missed two each of his two seasons at OSU. Savage has little chance of ever being a feature back as, in addition to his size, he dances a lot behind the line and tries to take everything outside or cut back. He also will run out of bounds as opposed to fighting for extra yards when on the sidelines. He needs to add bulk to even be a change of pace back in the NFL, but is a good fit there with his receiving ability and execution on draw plays. He doesn't have experience as a returner, something else a team would like to see out of a player of his type. His speed and agility should impress at the Combine and improve his changes of being a Day Two pick.

Marcus Thomas (UTEP 4SR) 6'2" 214 Combine Invite: Yes

One of the top prep players during his Arizona high school days, the former Parade All-American started to emerge in the second half of his sophomore year before having a disappointing 2006. His final season got off to a rough start when he was suspended for the opener due to a minor NCAA violation, allowing a non-scholarship teammate buy school books on his account. After that, Thomas broke out as a workhorse back, leading the team with career rushing highs of 227 carries, 16 TDs, and 1,166 rushing yards, after entering his final game with 1,167 yards. In their season finale loss, he was overshadowed by UCF RB, and fellow 2008 prospect, Kevin Smith. Thomas netted negative one yard on nine carries in the loss, while Smith posted 46-219-1. His seven 100-yard games in the season tied a school record.

He received an invite to the Hula Bowl and unfortunately a fumble was his story in the game. On the Kai's second possession, he lost a ball which resulted in a score and contributed to the route by the Aina. Thomas finished with six carries for 29 yards in the game. Without much recognition playing mostly mid-major competition, Thomas jumped at the chance to replace Dantrell Savage (who got bumped up to the Senior Bowl) in the Shrine Game just a week later. He faired better in that game, seeing an extended opportunity when Allen Patrick was hurt early in the game. Thomas totaled 51 yards on a team-high eight carries for the West.

Thomas is a raw product. He has a good build, but at almost 6'2" is tall and lanky for a RB. While he is surprisingly elusive despite this, it begets naturally running higher than desired, which opens him up to big hits, which all begets ball security problems. He has had issues every season and, in addition to the fumble in the Hula Bowl, coughed up the ball three other times in 2007. While the Miners recovered two, Thomas lost a key fumble at the Miners own two-yard line late, while the result was still in question, in an eventual loss at Texas Tech. At his height, he runs more like a WR than a RB, and catches the ball like one. After averaging almost 36 receptions a year the previous two seasons, he was utilized less as a receiver in 2007, but will still add value in the passing game, as a receiver and blocker. He has experience and willingness to play on all the special teams, which helps the case when considering a Day Two player.

Kalvin McRae (Ohio 4SR) 5'9" 208 Combine Invite: Yes

After being contained at VaTech and against Wyoming, McRae started building momentum through the MAC schedule. He had 74 yards and a TD against Kent State, then 96 yards and a TD at Buffalo, before finally breaking through with his first 100-yard game of the season since their season opener. Against Eastern Michigan on 10/13/07, McRae had 170 yards and 2 TDs on a season-high 32 carries. The following week at Toledo, he posted 25-182-3 and 3-47-0, including his longest run of the season on a 65-yard TD, against the worst run defense in the MAC. McRae kept pushing the bar of his performance higher, as he ran for 3 more TDs and 200 yards in a win at Bowling Green on 10/27/07. It was his first 200-yard game in two years and he did it on a career high 42 carries. He broke a few team records in the game, becoming the Bobcats all-time career rushing leader and the first to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. He finished the season with over 100 yards rushing and a TD in each of his last three games, including a run of at least 25 yards in each.

McRae's last season college season ended with single-season school records in rushing attempts (294), rushing yards (1,434), rushing ypg (119.5), and rushing TDs (19). He tied for the conference lead in scoring with 20 total TDs and was recognized on the All-MAC team for the third time in his career. His school career records include: 4,398 rushing yards, including 21 100-yard rushing games, 909 rush attempts, 91.6 yards per game, 5,248 all-purpose yards and tied for the total touchdowns with 49.

After making the MAC Title Game last year, the Bobcats struggled early behind inconsistent QB play and a banged up OLine, allowing teams to focus on McRae. However, as McRae found space and heated up, the team showed significant improvement in the second half of the season. Despite this, McRae's finishes his career in obscurity with his achievements relative to playing on a mediocre mid-major team and with no noteworthy performances against marquee opponents. McRae participated in the Hula Bowl and led the Aina (East) in carries with seven, but had just 21 yards on them and was overshadowed by fellow MAC RB Jalen Parmele in the game. McRae also had a 14 yard reception and reportedly impressed as a receiver during practice leading up to the Hula Bowl. He has dependable hands and was third on the team with 29 receptions. McRae is a solid, but unspectacular, performer. He has good balance, patience, and awareness as a runner. He bursts through the hole quickly and can find cut backs lanes to turn in big gains despite lacking elite speed. However, he runs tall despite being a shorter back. How his measurables stack up will affect his draft value more than some players who may have less aggregate numbers, but more success against top competition. However, with average strength and speed, as well as lack of size, he is unlikely to stand out.

Louis Rankin (Washington 5SR) 6'0" 200 Combine Invite: No

Rankin looked on his way in 2005 before a toe injury derailed his season. Then he was stuck in a RBBC with Kenny James in 2006. However, last year Rankin emerged with the best season by a Husky RB in ten years. He rushed for almost 1,300 yards and, as a decent receiver and kick returner, finished second in the PAC-10 with almost 2,400 all-purpose yards. He was recognized with second-team PAC-10 all-conference honors. Participated in the Texas vs the Nation All-Star Challenge.

I'm a bit shocked at how little recognition Rankin gets. He had a great year in a major conference, regardless of it being on a poor team. He is a very good size/speed combo who can hit the home run and brings a lot versatility. He definitely should have been invited to the Combine. He'll be a priority UDFA and, if given the opportunity, could join the list of recent success stories at RB who went unnoticed in the draft.

Andre Callender (Boston College 5SR) 5'10" 199 Combine Invite: No

After being RB1b to fellow 5SR L.V. Whitworth through most of their college career, Callender got his opportunity when Whitworth was out with a hamstring injury for the season opener. Despite not being overwhelming productive, Callender pulled away from Whitworth and held the starting job all season, while Whitworth struggled with his hamstring. The result was his first 1,000 yard rushing season, after three years of he and Whitworth cannibalizing each other's stats. However, he only went over 100 yards twice: against a sub-par North Carolina State squad and D-I FCS UMass. While he racked up TDs early in the season against weaker opponents, he only had one TD against an ACC opponent. Callender participated in the Hula Bowl and was productive on hi five carries, getting 26 yard. He also caught one pass for four yards, but continued to show his ability as a receiver in practices.

While I don't think he has elite speed, he still has quickness and showed enough speed to occasionally turn in the big play. He had a career-long 69-yard TD run against North Carolina State and a 45-yard TD against Miami. He is not much of an option to wear down a defense or in short-yardage. The biggest development in his game this season was in the passing game. After averaging 21 receptions a year his first three seasons, he set a single-season team-record with 76 receptions in 2007. He also is solid in pass protection. A good all-around back, he'll benefit from association with QB Matt Ryan, a top QB prospect, and being on his highlight reel, but was hurt by not getting a Combine invite.

Danny Woodhead (Chadron State College 4SR) 5'7" 195 Combine Invite: No

Despite being one of the top prep players in Nebraska for 2003, after a career in which he broke several state HS records, Woodhead received no D-I scholarship offers because of his size. Like most kids in the state, he wanted to go to Nebraska to play football. When the only chance he had there was to walk-on there and compete for a special teams spot, he chose CSC, a DII school in a town of the same name in the northern panhandle of the state. All he did from there was go on to be the most productive runner at any level in NCAA history. The school, conference, division, and NCAA records are numerous, but the one that lifted him from obscurity is the NCAA all-divisions career rushing record of 7,962 yards. His numbers could have been even greater, but he missed three weeks with a foot injury in 2007.

An invite to the Hula Bowl got him his first opportunity against D-I FBS competition and Kai HC Mike Riley (Oregon State) gave him the start. Unfortunately, turnovers limited Woodhead's opportunities and he only saw three carries, totaling two yards, in the game. While he benefited from a strong OLine, particularly All-RMAC OT John Strand, Woodhead's speed was one of the keys to his success. Woodhead reportedly was timed at 4.43 in the 40 this year. The two-time Harlon Trophy winner will have to display that kind of elite speed to draw the attention of teams as a late Day Two/UDFA as he again faces bias against his size. He'll have to do it in individual workouts, which he has already had with some teams, as he didn't get a Combine invite.

Chad Simpson (Morgan State 5SR) 5'10" 195 Combine Invite: Yes

An excellent kick returner at South Florida, Simpson transferred to FCS Morgan State to take on a larger role in 2006. Last season, he emerged as one of the most productive backs in FCS as a workhorse for the Bears. He set a school record with 1,402 rushing yards and was the conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year. A bit of a surprise invite, Simpson is a multi-purpose talent with decent size and good speed, an elusive player who has flashed the ability to score from anywhere on the field. He wasn't used much as a receiver and returner last season, but has ability in both that could serve in a change of pace role.

Next Week: Holding