RB Prospect Rankings

In the heat of March Madness, I will briefly step a side from agonizing over my bracket, and instead ease my mind with a little NFL Draft talk, looking over this years class of ball carriers. This years crop is not an exceptionally strong group, but their are certainly a few studs to be found. I could see as few as one back being drafted in the first round come April, and as many as three depending on where a couple teams choose to go and how fast the first one comes off the board. Just like my QB rankings (and what will be the case for all other rankings from here on out) this rankings aren't in order of where I think they'll get drafted but instead by who I believe will end up having the most successful Sunday afternoons.

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama 
Since the day Ingram put on a Crimson Tide jersey the world knew he was something special. After winning the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship as a Sophomore in 2009, Ingram saw his numbers drop significantly this past season as a Junior as he missed the first two games with injury. Even after a somewhat disappointing year Ingram still show cased his rare blend of speed and strength which make him hands down the best back available in this years draft.

2. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
Williams elects to leave VA Tech after playing just two years of "Beamer Ball". While his time there was short he proved to be an electrfying player with the ball in his hands, and every handoff had the danger of becoming a big time play.

3. Mikel Lashoure, Illinois 
Playing in the shadows of the great Rashard Mendenhall left Lashoure with some mighty big shoes to fill. But fill those shoes he did! By the time he left Champaign, Lashoure had Illini fans forgetting all about Mendenhall.

4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma 
Murray battled through an injury riddled time at Oklahoma to become one of the Sooners' most prolific running backs off all time. Like Lashoure, Murray also had to play in the shadows of a former star, as he took over after Adrian Peterson left the Sooners'. Murray is a quick, scat-back type runner, and he also has exceptional hands coming out of the backfield. Keeping in mind that Adrian Peterson also played at Oklahoma, Murray holds school records  for touchdowns, all purpose yards, and receiving yards by a running back.


5. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State 
While Kendall Hunter may not have the size and strength to be an every down back at the next lever, he does posses all the tools necessary to be come a great third down back in the NFL. Similar to Murray, Hunter is a smaller back, with great speed, and tons big play making ability.