tailback recruits compared to current players

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.

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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]

You really think Hazelton is going to miami? I dunno, we are cursed when it comes to espn announcements. Just imagine Hazelton and Chris Bell to go along with what Penn State already has. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Hazelton would be very nice. With all of the scholastic problems some of our commits and prospects at WR have had this recruiting season, Hazelton would be a shot in the arm that would maybe draw a few more high profile recruits to come join him.

We dont have many schollys left man, I dunno how many more we are going to take. Im guessing 5 more after Hazelton and he may be a gray shirt.

Losing Ekbantani kind of sucked. I sure hope a few linemen come our way, a JUCO lineman would have been perfect but it doesnt look like we will get one. Kinda sucks that there are no junior colleges in florida. Advantage USC. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

I think if we get some linemen it will be Orlando Franklin and Marcus Gilbert to go along with Jason Fox. Symonette isnt looking all that good at the moment. I would be doing cartwheels if Butch Lewis came our way.

p.s. I watched Gilbert, Wenger, and Young on xmas too against Lakeland. Those dudes got manhandled about half the time. None of the 3 are slam dunk recruits. Some of the best o-linemen in college are d-line guys in high school.

childhood favorite + Pat Devlin + south beach honeys in bikinis = Hazelton wearing orange and green next fall

we get Minor though so Na Na Na Na Boo Boo

well Im glad you believe that, the antone smith fiasco leaves me with no confidence.

Moody is supposed to announce today or tomorrow, then Hazelton on friday. Its a big 3 days for the canes hopefully.

So how is VT's recruiting class stacking up, specifically by position? Who is going to qb once Vick graduates next year?

btw, I want Gresham, my god the kid is like 6'7 and just runs by people. He will be an nfl tight end based on combine numbers alone.

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Some of the best o-linemen in college are d-line guys in high school.

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Agreed. Mainly b/c the nastiness &amp; aggressiveness needed can't be taught, but the blocking technique can be learned if the ability and aggressiveness is already there.

The Ekbatani loss does suck, but if he wants to go UCLA and be a star on a team that probably won't compete for the national title instead of coming to UM and being a MNC competitor, that's his choice. We gotta get some linemen from somewhere though--let's send Keholio back up to Canada to find some big seal-clubbing mo-fo's that drink Labatt Blue by the keg.

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we get Minor though so Na Na Na Na Boo Boo


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*yawn*...hehehe, j/k...though I truly think he would have ended up converting to FB had he come to Miami. Good pickup for VT though w/that usual power running attack, and ya'll should have the O-Line to do it in the next few years.

OFF-TOPIC:

What did Ryan Moore do?

And Miami will beat LSU by two TD's without Russell, but with him, I woulda gave the edge to LSU, their DT's create tons of pressure up the middle.

Minor does remind me of Quad Hill. His 40 time is like 4.7 but he looks alot faster than that on film. I think some of these 40 times dont mean a thing.

Minor will be running a 4.11 40 after VT's fall practices anyway. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Biggin we cant block anybody so LSU still has a chance to win lol.

Team violations for Moore, unspecified violations but there is alot of talk of him going pro and there was talk that he wasnt speaking to the coaches even at practice so Im guessing they suspended him for piss poor attitude. I personally cant stand Ryan Moore and will be glad when his ass leaves, I hope he goes pro this year.

There's been some purely speculative rumors flying around that the "unspecified violations" was that he was already linked and talking to an agent about going pro which could jeopardize his eligibility status with UM. I think the suspension for these violations was more of a cover your own arse job by the coaching staff if this was the case. Our starting WR's next year? Jenkins, Leggett, and Jones. Hester's staying (IMO) and will get some burn at RB and WR.

If he had contact with an agent I think he would be ruled inelgible and not suspended. Who knows, like a football fan said, its all speculation, but those statements are the buzz.

Who is Jones?

I heard something about Farr leaving, is that true?

QB - we have one commitment but he will be a FS at VT or a big rover like Aaron Rouse....his name is Kam Chancellor and he is a sleeper, apparently he is very well thought of among those area high school coaches but i have yet to see any film to make my own judgement

as far as future QB, that will be held by Ike Whitaker...he has all the intangibles, the players already respect him and he has a great great arm and can make all the throws right now and has been a nightmare for the defense during scout team work...he's good sized too (6'4 210) and runs around a 4.48-4.5 40...Sean Glennon and Cory Holt are both good QB's on their own but neither will make as big a jump as Ike will from now until spring and fall...our other QB, Greg Boone, is moving to DT...we have a spot saved for Tyrod Taylor at QB for the next year

RB - tech is looking to take 2 (maybe 3 in the right scenario) and the best shots look to be LeSean McCoy and Brandon Minor...but we also stand a good chance with Knowshon Moreno, Keiland Williams and Evan Royster

future at RB looks great with the RB's we already have and the ones looking to come in...if we land Moreno then we will take 3 backs...how impressive would a depth chart be with the following

1-Branden Ore
2-Elan Lewis
3-LeSean McCoy
4-George Bell
5-Knowshon Moreno
6-Brandon Minor

when you have a 4 star back as your 6th string it kinda makes me excited

WR- while RB is gonna be deep, i think our WR's will be deeper...we already have Todd Nolen as a pure WR, Zach Luckett could play here as well but i see him at FS...i dont think we take any more WR's in this class, but Brent Vinson could be a WR but has a more promising future at CB

WR depth chart
1-Eddie Royal
2-Josh Morgan
3-Justin Harper
4-David Clowney
5-Josh Hyman
6-Jeremy Gilchrist
7-Todd Nolen

TE/FB - TE is an area of concern for us next year, we have Ed Wang, John Kinzer and Sam Wheeler already in the program, but none have enough experience to be a game changer next year...Wang and VT commit Andre Smith have the highest ceiling as far as the future is concerned but look to see more 4 WR sets this year utilizing our depth at that position...fullback is pretty promising but the FB has kinda been phased out in this offense, which stinks because Kenny Jefferson has the potential to be the best FB to ever put on a VT jersey but he has 4 more years to prove that

OL- OLine makes this pretty stacked offense an average one if they dont make a big jump over the spring and summer practice...lose 3 starters but return Duane Brown who should have a great year next year...Brandon Gore needs to come on strong and we need a RT...maybe Aaron Brown can come in and take the RT spot but i dont see it this early...Sergio Render will be a good one though

that's the offense, ill get into the defense in a little bit

Jones = Khalil Jones #87. Pretty talented WR...could end up like a Reggie Wayne type for us if he improves his route running and hands. He's got the frame and the speed to be an elite WR. Time will tell. With Moore out he may see more burn in the bowl game.

I haven't heard a thing on any board or from anyone that follows Miami football about DajLeon Farr leaving the team. Guy's next in line after Olsen gets drafted next year, plus he's gotten plenty of PT in short yardage and goalline situations...so he really can't complain when he's the third TE on the depth chart and getting time on the field as a true freshman.

Khalil Jones, he has the most talent of any reciever on the team, he looks IDENTICAL to Andre Johnson, but hes young and hes going to have to work on his hands. Coincidentally, that was the knock on Johnson at the time too.

Farr isnt leaving, hes going to be starting in 2 TE sets with Olsen next year, you are thinking of Akeem Jolla. Jolla and Moore came in together, both big letdowns.

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our other QB, Greg Boone, is moving to DT

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Sounds like the biggest QB since Jared Lorenzen.

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RB - tech is looking to take 2 (maybe 3 in the right scenario) and the best shots look to be LeSean McCoy and Brandon Minor...but we also stand a good chance with Knowshon Moreno, Keiland Williams and Evan Royster

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According to all the buzz I've heard, McCoy is closer to PSU than he is VT. Minor is a lock for VT, and Moreno is still bouncing around between like 6 schools. I think VT's best bet is getting Minor, Moreno, and either Williams or Royster...preferrably Royster. Once again...Minor's big enough to where he may be your next FB...the FB may be phased back into the offense if the depth chart at RB gets much deeper because you gotta put the talent you got out there.

btw--you had some unintentional comedy in the TE section of your breakdown...so...you're trying to tell us that Wang has the highest ceiling, is this correct? Have you studied up on Wang? You're an expert on Wang? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

22, I'm wondering if Minor may eventually move to FB and play a similar role as Hill does at the U? Also, the projected depth chart may change with McCoy looking to prep. It would indeed be a great haul to get the 3 M's though. (and all above is mere specualation til they commit somewhere)

Do you think Wang may move to OT?

And Ike? He may end up being a better QB than the one the Hokies have now. Just a shame that Glennon may never get a starting position (or a blessing because it means you are stacked with talent) at QB because he has a heck of an arm. And Boone to DT would be the best for him IMO. It's bad that there's no apparent position that Holt could slide in to get some PT.

Boone is 6-3 287 and runs a 4.7 40. Huge QB. Read an article in which Kevin Rogers claimed Boone could throw the ball nearly 80 yards. He played Safety on D in H.S. and I saw in one film where he caught a receiver coming across the middle. I'd bet the kid STILL doesn't remember his name!

Named a postseason All-American by SuperPrep, which also rated him the No. 15 quarterback in the nation and the No. 8 player in the state of Virginia ... Passed for 1,285 yards, rushed for 949 yards and accounted for 35 touchdowns his senior year for Coach Richard Morgan at Oscar Smith ... Named first-team all-state by both The Associated Press and the VHSCA ... Rated the No. 5 player in the state by The Roanoke Times ... Was named the Southeastern District Offensive Player of the Year ... Guided Oscar Smith to its first outright district title in 40 years and a 10-0 regular season ... Accounted for 334 of the Tigers' 335 yards in a 40-39 loss to Landstown in the Eastern Region Division 6 championship game ... Rated the No. 36 athlete in the nation and the No. 12 player in the state by rivals.com ... Rated the No. 36 player in the Mid-Atlantic Coast by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report ... Ranked the No. 65 player on the East Hot 100 by scout.com ... Ranked the No. 40 linebacker in the nation and the No. 8 player in the state by scout.com ... Named to PrepStar's postseason All-Atlantic Region team ... Listed first-team All-Tidewater by The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot ... Named first-team all-district at quarterback and second-team all-district at defensive back and punter as a senior ... Named first-team all-region ... Was first-team All-Tidewater at defensive back as a junior ... Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior.

you've heard wrong on McCoy

haha and no i think Wang stays at TE because he's really our only hope of a good TE next year

Boone is 6'4 288

He shoulda been a DT from the beginning...why in the world would they recruit him as a QB if they figured there was going to be a QB or two coming from the area of the Vicks (aka Hampton)?

didnt figure that...Taylor recently had interest in VT because his receiver and best friend (Todd Nolen) committed to VT late in the process...VT wasn't really counting on Nolen coming to VT

But still though...just like Miami should and usually is able to get whatever players they want from Miami, VT should get whoever they want from Hampton based purely on the Vicks alone with that kind of star power.

On the topic of Boone: Its like when Meyer tells Fayson he can play quarterback, knowing damn well hes going to play wide reciever. Every coach has to say something to spark interest.

I'm telling you Fayson may de-commit. Sure he wants to play with Tebow, but he wants to beat him out at QB, not catch passes from him. If he de-commits Miami could use him as a WR.

According to the rivals articles, hes pretty solid on florida, I think if Miami lands Hazelton, Parker, Dominic Brown, and Shields, there would be no room for an offer for Fayson. Brown, Parker, and Shields are all canes at this point. Brown may play baseball and Parker may not have the grades.

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Brown may play baseball and Parker may not have the grades.

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That's the problem. That leaves us with Hazelton, Shields, &amp; maybe Tim Brown. That's not a horrible thing, but we need to stock up on some wideouts NOW.

nah there are some other freaks out there too. Patterson has miami as high interest, hes a good reciever. Mitchell also has alot of interest and would be a fight with LSU. Hes from the same school as Reggie Wayne. There are other guys we are recruiting too, a kid from San Diego(dont remember his name right off hand but his clip looks good and hes a high rated prospect)

I can promise you we will land 3 recievers in this class, I just dont know which 3. Looking at all the clips, you cant tell who is #1 and who is #50. Harvin is all run after catch but we have no idea how good he is as a reciever. Great runner, but no idea about reciever. All of these guys are a crap shoot, it will be interesting to see how they develop.

Hazelton even worries me, he doesnt get much seperation. Hes a big guy, but definietly a possession reciever. On a brighter note, he has great hands and fights for the jump balls.