Top 20 College Running Backs

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 17, 2007

Top 20 College Running Backs

Damion Fletcher | So. | Southern Miss

Fletcher took Conference USA by storm in his freshman season, rushing for 1,388 yards and 11 touchdowns. Fletcher's biggest strength is his ability to hit the hole in quick fashion.

Justin Forsett | Sr. | Cal

With Marshawn Lynch's early departure, Forsett finally gets his chance to shine as the No. 1-running back. As Lynch's backup the last two years, Forsett rushed for 1,625 and 10 touchdowns.

Tyrell Sutton | Jr. | Northwestern

After totaling 1,464 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground in 2005, Sutton was a bit of a letdown last season ... though he still rushed for 1,000 yards on the button. With QB C.J. Bacher in his second year as the starter, Sutton's production should benefit greatly.

Mike Goodson | So. | Texas A&M

Goodson and gargantuan teammate Jorvorskie Lane make a devastating 1-2 punch at running back. The speedy Goodson's a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.

Ryan Torain | Sr. | Arizona State

Even though he didn't start until the sixth game of the season, Torain still rushed for 1,229 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He finished with a bang, rushing for 299 yards in the last two games of the season.

Jonathan Stewart | Jr. | Oregon

The 5-foot-11 230-pounder has jaw-dropping physical ability, but he needs to become more of a consistent producer. When he's on, though, Stewart is quite a difficult back to contain.

Branden Ore | Jr. | Virginia Tech

Ore started camp out of shape and was in Frank Beamer's doghouse. But recent reports indicate he's set things right and is ready to improve on last year's 1,137-yard, 16-touchdown campaign.

Felix Jones | Jr. | Arkansas

A probable 1,500-yard rusher on just about any other team, Jones is forced to play second fiddle to Darren McFadden. Even in this backup role, though, Jones rushed for 1,168 yards with an amazing 7.6 yards per carry average last year.

James Davis | Jr. | Clemson

With his bruising style, Davis is the "thunder" element of Clemson's "thunder and lightning" backfield. Clemson's starter last season led the ACC with 17 rushing touchdowns.

Chris Wells | So. | Ohio State

Antonio Pittman left early for the NFL, meaning "Beanie" has the full workload in 2007. With Ohio State's question mark at quarterback, you can be sure Jim Tressel's offense will ride this talented sophomore.

Yvenson Bernard | Sr. | Oregon State

The Beavers' rusher boasts back-to-back 1,300-yard rushing seasons. He's also a viable threat catching passes out of the backfield with 80 catches in the past two years.

Jamaal Charles | Jr. | Texas

With the departure of Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles has the role of Texas RB all to himself. Although last year was a bit of a letdown -- though he still rushed for 870 yards and seven touchdowns -- Charles should flourish in a ridiculously talented 'Horns offense.

C.J. Spiller | So. | Clemson

Spiller plays the role of "lightning" in Clemson's "thunder and lightning" backfield. Spiller's 7.3 yards per carry average tells you everything you need to know.

Tashard Choice | Sr. | Georgia Tech

Overshadowed on the Yellow Jackets' offense by all-everything receiver Calvin Johnson, Choice led the ACC in rushing last year by almost 300 yards, with a total of 1,473. After a slow start, Choice rushed for at least 100 yards in nine of Georgia Tech's last 10 games.

P.J. Hill | So. | Wisconsin

Dubbed "The Wisconsin Winnebago," the Badgers' 227-pounder led the Big Ten in both rushing yards (1,569) and touchdowns (15) as a redshirt freshman in 2006. He'll need to carry an even bigger load this season after the graduation of Wisconsin QB John Stocco.

Ian Johnson | Jr. | Boise State

With his 1,713 yards rushing, Division I-A-high 25 touchdowns and post-Fiesta Bowl wedding proposal, Ian Johnson was the star of Boise State's undefeated season. Johnson isn't the speediest player in the country, but he does a fabulous job of reading his blocks

Ray Rice | Jr. | Rutgers

As a freshman in 2005, Rice quietly ran for 1,120 yards. But his efforts didn't go unnoticed for long. Last season, Rutgers burst onto the national scene with Rice as its centerpiece. The sophomore set a Big East record with 1,794 rushing yards, accumulating at least 170 yards in five separate games.

Mike Hart | Sr. | Michigan

Hart's style is far from flashy, but his workhorse mentality suits Michigan just fine. The diminutive bruiser has posted 19 100-yard games over three seasons, eclipsing 90 yards in every game last season. He's also one of the most dependable backs in history, having lost just one fumble in his career (as a freshman).

Steve Slaton | Jr. | West Virginia

West Virginia's dynamic junior may be the fastest player on this list. As any Big East defensive coordinator will tell you, Slaton's burner speed and extraordinary vision are a deadly combination.

Darren McFadden | Jr. | Arkansas

Last year's Heisman runner-up enters the '07 campaign as the favorite to take home the stiff-armed statue. During his first two seasons in Fayetteville, McFadden has rushed for 2,760 yards and 25 touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC honors both years. With his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and excellent speed, McFadden is the complete package.

Top 20 College Running Backs