tailback recruits compared to current players

[imported_mega]

Top-five running backs in the Class of 2006
Editor's Note: Tom Luginbill and Craig Haubert have each worked in pro personnel and done many evaluations of professional players. Their knowledge, combined with Scouts Inc.'s extensive knowledge and evaluations of NFL and collegiate players, makes these comparisons possible. To clarify, they are not saying these prospects will definitely be as good as the NFL or college players mentioned. Instead, they are saying these prospects have skills and traits similar to the NFL players mentioned and have the potential to excel.

DeMarco Murray (6-foot-1, 190 pounds)
Las Vegas, Nev.
College comparison: Reggie Bush (6-0, 200)

OK, OK I'm not saying Murray is the next Reggie Bush. What I am saying is that there are a lot of similarities in their games in terms of versatility, size, speed and the ability to play multiple positions.

Marshall Faulk started it off in the early '90s when he showed what a running back with wide receiver skills can do for an offense's production. Bush has taken it to another level, and Murray brings the same type of defensive game plan nightmares to the field. Any time a player steps on the field and defensive coordinators are watching the huddle to see where he ends up on every play, you have a player who can do some special things.

What Bush and Murray provide is the ability to structure formations, personnel groupings and plays around them that can match up anywhere on the field and expose a defense's weakest link. Both players have nice size, and when they are asked to line up and pound the ball and grind it out, they can. This is what makes Bush special despite the fact that he has been accused of being a finesse guy (which I think is absolutely ridiculous). Once Murray matures and adds some bulk, I believe he will have the same ability.

Perhaps the most special traits about both Bush and Murray are their speed, ability to make people miss in space and their significant contributions to the kicking game. They are capable of changing field position every time they touch the ball and are natural kick and punt returners. If Murray's senior season is any indication of things to come at the college level, football fans could be in for a real treat.


Stafon Johnson (6-0, 200)
Los Angeles, Calif.
NFL comparison: Kevin Jones (5-11, 221)

Many will say that Kevin Jones has yet to meet the potential of his outstanding natural running skills. I happen to agree, but those skills do remind me a lot of Dorsey High running back/safety Stafon Johnson.



Kevin Jones was the first running back the Lions selected in the 1st round since Barry Sanders.Few running backs possess good size and the ability to be a slasher on one play and a smooth glider on the next, but both Jones and Johnson can do it. Both are smooth, fluid athletes in their movements and at times, things look effortless. It is always intriguing when you see players like these who do not look like they are moving very fast yet they really cover ground and nobody seems to be catching them from behind.

Both excel in zone-blocking schemes where they can exploit cutback lanes on the inside zone play and bounce plays to the outside, get to the corner and turn on the jets. Jones and Johnson can hit top speed in a hurry, explode through the hole and make good decisions with their excellent vision. They can make people miss in the hole and once through it, they show a second gear in the open field.

Johnson is one of the few players in this class who could be just as impressive on defense as he is as a running back, but his natural running skills, size and hands should keep him on the offensive side of the ball.



Chris Wells (6-2, 230)
Akron, Ohio
College Comparison: Laurence Maroney (5-11, 205)

With all the spread offense attacks you see in college football these days, true power backs are not very common. You just don't see 6-2, 230-pound running backs very often -- especially ones that have the speed and quickness to bounce plays to the outside. This is what makes Minnesota RB Laurence Maroney and Ohio State RB commit Chris Wells so unique.



Minnesota RB Laurence Maroney has 10 rushing TD this season.They are such decisive runners between the tackles and are always going north and south. They are classic power, I-formation backs who can pound out yards and have excellent endurance. They can carry the full load for an entire game and wear down a defense.

Many big backs can be one dimensional in their style of play, but not Maroney and Wells. Each has excellent vision to and through the hole and possess the lateral quickness to bounce plays to the edge and get around the corner. While neither will make multiple defenders miss in space, they have enough elusiveness to make one defender miss and the foot speed to win some footraces at the second level.

Each guy probably would not be at their best in a one-back set and still need to develop as a pass catcher. They are adequate on screens and dump offs, but need work on route structure to make a significant contribution in the passing game.



Emmanuel Moody (6-0, 200)
Coppell, Texas
College Comparison: Deangelo Williams (5-7, 213)

You want lightning in a bottle? Well look no further than Coppell High's RB Emmanuel Moody and Memphis Tigers RB DeAngelo Williams. These two players are the total package when it comes to being a difference maker in the backfield. They possess speed, quickness, rare stop and start ability and are a nightmare in space for opposing defenses.


Williams and Moody are through the hole so fast that if they get a tiny crease, they could be gone. However, if they get to the outside, they will turn the corner and both have a scary second gear to take it to the house.

What's also so impressive about these two is their toughness and ability to actually be effective between the tackles. Yes, they are at their best in space, but they will pound it to get the tough yards as well. Moody is a little bit bigger than Williams, but their rare talent to change gears in a short area is what sets them apart from other backs.

Williams has the potential to be a future NFL star and Moody is one of those backs who should get on the field as a freshman because he can provide mismatches in both the running game and passing game.


C.J. Spiller (5-10, 180)
Lake Butler, Fla.
NFL Comparison: Warrick Dunn (5-9, 180)

In most cases, undersized running backs carry a buyer beware tag because there are worries about that player's ability to carry a full load and remain healthy for an entire season. However, if there is speed and a history of durability, most coaches want this type of back in their backfield because they can create on their own running lanes and make huge plays in space. Plus, if used the right way, they can stay on the field most of the time. Running back C.J. Spiller and Atlanta Falcons RB Warrick Dunn are both undersized guys, but they know how to protect themselves and get the very most out of their talent.



Falcons RB Warrick Dunn finished as Florida State's career leader in rushing yards with 3,959.They run low to the ground and do an excellent job of weaving through traffic at the line of scrimmage, and then when they see a crease, they hit it full speed. Both players get to top speed in a hurry and are very slippery in their running style. They are very tough players given their size and are not afraid to mix it up and take on tacklers when they have to, but their abilities make them great space players.

Much like Moody and Williams, Spiller and Dunn make up for their lack of size with excellent lateral quickness and a second gear to run away from defenders. Also, each player excels in the passing game with soft hands, and they are great screen players with good vision and patience.

Dunn has demonstrated that he can carry the full load, rare for a player with his dimensions. How Spiller will measure up when asked to do so at the college level remains to be seen.

[imported_mega]

Heres an paragraph from another article that came with it that was interesting.

There are a few excellent big backs as well like James Aldridge (Merrillville, Ind.), Kylan Robinson (Tampa Bay, Chamberlain), Charles Scott (Jonesboro, La., Hodge) and Donielle Babb (Franklin, Va.). Each possess a nice blend of size, strength and adequate elusiveness along with deceptive speed.

[CoeburnCane]

Canes are in the running for Kylan Robinson & Emmanuel Moody. Already have Javarris James (Edge's cuz), and are looking to next year and a possible commitment of Noel Devine. As usual...the U stacked at RB--can we get an O-Line to block for them? That's the question...

[gcdevil22]

too bad they didn't get to evaluate LeSean McCoy....he wouldve been high up on that list

another good one will be Knowshon Moreno, who will likely be a UGA commit

[imported_mega]

Dont forget Allen, hes the best running back in florida.

I watched Rainey on xmas, hes too small to be a everydown back. Devine might be the same way, but Allen is the complete player, faster than Devine and Rainey and much bigger.

[imported_mega]

I think they didnt evaluate McCoy because he broke his ankle and they didnt get a chance to see much of him.

So does Babb have any division 1 offers gc? I found these articles on a USC board so its interesting to know that they know about Baab on the westcoast.

Kylan Robinson is a pretty darn impressive sleeper, he is orginally from Alaska. Big boy with power and speed, definietely a better player than Brandon Minor at this point.

[gcdevil22]

yeah McCoy tore up his knee actually i believe, but they wouldve only got to see 3 games from his senior year if they did evaluate

i dont see Babb gettin any major conf D1 offers

[CoeburnCane]

My only complaint about Armando Allen is that he seems to run too up and down through the hole, doesn't run low to the ground to get good pad level. Then again, lots of people said the same things about McGahee, Portis, & Edge. But you're right--he's got a strong frame and tons of potential. We'd be lucky to get Allen and only Allen next year at RB (maybe a FB...but then again, Kylan Robinson could turn into our next Quad Hill).

We need some friggin OL's and WR's. That's becoming a problem.

EDIT: IMO, Babb may get some D1 offers as a FB if he bulks up even more, but not as a TB.

[gcdevil22]

also Mega and a_football_fan...expect some good news around 3:40 on friday

[imported_mega]

I see Robinson as a Adrian Peterson type, hes huge and hes fast. 4.5 for a guy that big and that tall, plus you let him work with Swasey and Soldinger for a year to get faster, he could be real special. Miami doesnt have any good combination backs right now, Moss is big but not fast, Thomas is blazing fast, but too small, Jones is decently big, but only decently fast, and who knows about Johnson, he has the best chance of being great. Baby J is also slow, they say hes a complete player, a guy that blocks well, catches well, and is a student of the game but Im not all that enamored with him regardless of his last name. Im hoping that with his last name, he will work harder than everyone else. I think we can all agree that alot of these guys are pretty equal but the ones that turn out to be real good in college are the ones that are working their butts off 12 months out of the year.

Moody is awesome I must admit, regardless of where he goes to school. He played behind some terrible o-lines and did well. Hes good in between the tackles and is a threat to take it to the house. Hes also a 4.0 student so that makes him even more special.

GC, have you seen Goodson? Im dont think Goodson is nearly as good as some make him out to be, Id take Moody over Goodson anyday. I dont see the talent in Goodson as I do in Moody, but hey its recruiting, its all a crap shoot I guess, what do I know. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]