Watch out NFL draft, the running backs are taking over, and they are a pretty good bunch to say the least. Recent news of the early departures of two redshirt sophomores, Dion Lewis of Pittsburgh, and Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech, added to that of former Heisman winner Mark Ingram, just took this once pedestrian class of prospects, into a big time strength heading into April's draft.
Underclassmen Ingram, Lewis and Williams, join seniors Demarco Murray(Oklahoma) and Daniel Thomas(Kansas State), to form a pretty solid group. Although this class does not boast an Adrian Peterson type of back, these five candidates are solid prospects, who could become early starters for running back starved teams in the league.
Here is some info on each of these prospects, as well as some draft projections.
Mark Ingram - JR Alabama 5' 11" 215 4.5
2010 - 158 att 875 yds 13 td (missed time early in the season due to injury)
Projected round - mid to late 1st
NFL comparison - Rashard Mendenhal
Dion Lewis - RS Soph Pitt 5' 8" 195 4.6
2010 - 219 att 1061 yds 13 td
Projected round - 2nd
NFL Comparison - Ray Rice
Ryan Williams - RS Soph Va Tech 5' 10" 205 4.45
2010 - 110 att 477 yds 9 td
Projected round - 2nd-early 3rd
NFL Comparison - Ronnie Brown
Demarco Murray - Senior Oklahoma 6' 1" 217 4.4
2010 - 215 att 1214 yds 15 td
Projected round - 2nd
NFL Comparison - Matt Forte
Daniel Thomas - Senior Kansas State 6' 2" 228 4.55
2010 - 298 att 1595 yds 19 td
Projected round - 2nd-3rd
NFL Comparison - Jonathan Stewart