2012 College Football Postion Rankings: Top 5 Running Backs

2012 College Football Postion Rankings – Top 5 Running Backs: Top tier running backs are asked to where a lot of hats if they want to be on the field for all of their teams’ offensive snaps. From blocking in pass protection to catching passes out of the backfield, the job of a rusher goes behind just running the ball. In the NFL, a majority of the teams use a committee of backs that each specialize in a particular area. At the college level, the feature back is still alive and well. Here is a look at some of the premier rushers that will be the center of their team’s ground attack in the upcoming NCAAF season.

2012 College Football Postion Rankings: Top 5 Running Backs

1.      Montee Ball, Wisconsin Badgers

All Ball did last season was tie Barry Sanders’ single-season record of 30 total touchdowns. He had 33 of those scores on the ground, along with more than 1,900 rushing yards. Ball led the nation in both categories, and he could easily to so again this year after his surprising decision to return to school. Yes, Russell Wilson is no longer under center, and the offensive line lost multiple players to the early rounds of the NFL Draft. However, transfer Danny O’Brien is a solid QB, and the Badgers always reload their offensive line. Ball’s yards per carry could suffer with the offense becoming a little more one dimensional, but the yards and scores will be there.

2.      Knile Davis, Arkansas Razorbacks

After a 13-touchdown, 1,300-plus yard campaign in 2010 when he averaged 6.5 yards per carry, Davis missed all of the 2011 season with an injury. With more than a year to recover, Davis should be back at 100 percent and even hungrier having been forced to sit out last year. The firing of Bobby Petrino should mean a little less passing and a few more touches for Davis, and his blend of power, size and speed should allow him to immediately pick up where he left off two years ago. It won’t take long for Davis to remind the country that he is one of the premier backs.

3.      Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina Gamecocks

A knee injury midseason derailed a potential Heisman Trophy campaign more Lattimore last season. He will be back on the field this year and back to his role as the workhorse and centerpiece of the Gamecocks’ offense. I’m not sure any running back in the country runs harder, and long-term, he is probably the best NFL prospect at the position. That being said, he is less than a year removed from an ACL injury, and playing in the SEC with his running style will take its toll on his body. Lattimore will have a strong season, but he could wear down late in the year.

4.      Giovani Bernard, North Carolina Tarheels

Bernard managed to fly under the radar last year despite putting together an impressive freshman season. He ran for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Tarheels, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He also proved himself more versatile than expected, grabbing 45 passes for 362 yards. Add it up, and that’s more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage from a freshman. A year of experience and a year in the weight room should allow Bernard to push those totals higher. He is one of the up-and-coming backs in the country, and he won’t be under the radar after this season.

5.      Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State Cowboys

While quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon made the headlines last year for the Cowboys’ pass-happy offense, it was Randle that provided the balance. In fact, he finished fourth in the country with 24 rushing touchdowns last year. He also added 1,216 yards on almost six yards per carry. Randles yards and touches should balloon this year with freshman Wes Lunt taking over as QB. The veteran running back will take the pressure of the young signal caller while padding his own numbers. Randle still won’t be the centerpiece because of Mike Gundy’s pass-first system, but he will make a big impact.

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