ESPN College Football Recruiting

There is an obvious drop-off in upper-tier talent when comparing the 2010 running back group with the abundance of prospects graded in the four-star range in recent classes. Still, this class has some real advantages, most notably balance up top.

At different points throughout our six-month evaluation process, arguments were made for up to six running backs to claim the No. 1 spot. There currently are five running backs in the top 20 of the ESPNU 150, which is the most for any position. The parity among the elite backs in this class might stem from their different running styles and ceilings for development. Each shows flashes of being extremely productive in his own skill set as a future downhill, load, zone or multipurpose-type runner.

We might not know until three or four years down the road which one is the top back in this class. It might very well be dictated by the systems in which they land and, in some cases, how their bodies continue to develop.

Top prospects

Michael Dyer
(Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian Academy)
College: Undecided
We feel this powerful, durable, compact back is the most college-ready, downhill, yards-after-contact runner. Dyer's great lateral agility, elusiveness and ability to make the first defender miss through the hole are what make him the premier runner in this class.

Marcus Lattimore | Highlights
(Duncan, S.C./James Byrnes)
College: Undecided
Lattimore is perhaps the most well-rounded back in this class at this time. His receiving skills are polished, and he has the size to be a more-than-competent blocker early on. If he broke initial contact on a more consistent level and had better long speed, this South Carolina native would be sitting at the top spot.

Mack Brown | Highlights
(Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King)
College: Florida
When it's all said and done, Brown could end up being the most prolific runner to come out of this class. We really like his upside. He's the load-back the Gators have been looking for, and he should give them the opportunity to take more snaps under center. This kid has it all: inside power, outside speed, elusiveness and explosiveness. At 185 pounds, his size is the only concern, but if he can get up to the 205-pound range, look out.

Jordon James | Highlights
(Corona, Calif./Corona)
College: Undecided
From a pure film evaluation standpoint, there were a lot of arguments for James to take the top running back spot. He has the best top-end speed and breakaway burst of this elite group, coupled with rare between-the-tackles running strength for a back with such suddenness through the hole. James played in only five games as a junior, and his ability to remain durable is his only real red flag.

Lache Seastrunk | Highlights
(Temple, Texas/Temple)
College: Undecided
If Seastrunk lands in an open spread offense that gets him touches in a variety of ways, he easily could end up this class' most productive space player and one of its biggest game breakers. While the Reggie Bush comparisons are out there, Seastrunk's main challenge will be his ability to square up through the hole and break first contact consistently -- an area Bush currently is having difficulty with at the pro level.

On the verge

Storm Johnson | Highlights
(Loganville, Ga./Loganville)
College: Undecided
A new crop of game film raised arguments that Johnson could be in the mix for one of the top spots. Backs with his blend of speed and power are a rarity, and this guy has some shake to make defenders miss. With a breakout senior season in which he carries the load for his new Loganville squad, he could see a move toward the top.

Roderick Smith | Highlights
(Fort Wayne, Ind./Harding)
College: Ohio State
From a pure size-to-speed ratio, you would be hard pressed to find a greater running back prospect than Smith. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has a sneaky extra gear and very good top-end speed for his size when he breaks free in the second level. We would like to see more yards-after-contact production, but he certainly has great load back qualities and is a nice fit for the Buckeyes.

Malcolm Jones | Highlights
(Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian)
College: Undecided
He is another well-built running back prospect with the downhill strength to wear down a defense and develop into a workhorse. While a determined runner, his great physicality and range on defense are hard not to notice. We wouldn't be surprised if this West Coast athlete gets a look at linebacker as well during his college career.

Ken Malcome | Highlights
(Decatur, Ga./Southwest Dekalb)
College: Georgia
This explosive runner lacks only a bit of long speed; otherwise, he might be considered a more elite back in this class. He's a bowling ball of a runner with a powerful lower base and great balance. Malcome consistently breaks first contact, pulls through leg tackles and moves the pile, while showing he also can cut back through the small creases. He's physically ready to carry the load in a downhill role early in his career at Georgia.

Brennan Clay | Highlights
(San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch)
College: Oklahoma
The future Sooner is a multipurpose back and might be one of the more underrated backs in this class. Reaching the 1,000-yard mark as a rusher and pass-catcher in the same season is very impressive, but what makes this California native rare is his deceptive in-line strength and between-the-tackles power for a back with his polished receiving skills. He reminds us of former NFL running back Ronnie Harmon.

Don't sleep on these guys

Dontae Williams | Highlights
(Houston/Aldine)
College: Undecided
Injuries limited Williams' production as a junior, but as with James, we saw enough ability in a handful of games to rank him as an upper-tier back. A well-balanced inside and outside runner, this explosive back could move up the rankings with a healthy and productive senior season.

Spencer Ware | Highlights
(Cincinnati/Princeton)
College: LSU
Employed as a dual-threat quarterback, Ware might not be getting the attention he deserves as a pure running back prospect. This talented athlete shows flashes of great running skills, hitting the hole with urgency while displaying great vision, quickness and burst for a compact 225-pounder. The future Tiger lacks great top-end speed but could develop into a workhorse in Baton Rouge.

Deontae Cooper | Highlights
(Perris, Calif./Citrus)
College: Undecided
He is an intriguing prospect to break down because he has a large frame and flashes good yards-after-contact production but seems to run at one speed. However, that speed still allows him to glide past most defenders at the high school level. He has a high ceiling for development, and could be a late bloomer physically and on the recruiting trail.

Anthony Wilkerson | Highlights
(Tustin, Calif./Tustin)
College: Stanford
When we first watched this prospect in the early spring, Chris "Beanie" Wells was the first back who came to mind. Wilkerson has very good feet for a power back. He can slide through the small creases with deceptive suddenness or run over smaller defenders with brute strength. He is a great get for Stanford and could be ready to take reps early.

Jamal Woodyard | Highlights
(Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope)
College: Undecided
One of the more versatile backs no one seems to know about. Woodyard lines up everywhere as a high school skill player and moves the chains with great vision, quickness, lateral agility and up-field burst. Expect this sure-handed athlete to heat up on the recruiting trail with another big fall.

Honorable mention

• Giovanni Bernard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas) fell outside our ESPNU 150, but judging by his offer sheet, he has not gone unnoticed. The non-flashy, four-star back is growing on us with his well-rounded skill set and great production.

• Oklahoma has a great future change-of-pace runner and worthy four-star back in the undersized Roy Finch (Niceville, Fla./Niceville).

• D.J. Morgan (Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft) was moved to the athlete category after our final evaluation process, but it wasn't because of a marginal running back projection. We feel he might be the most elusive runner in this class and the best scat-back prospect. However, his great feet and hips -- which are coveted in a college cover corner -- persuaded us to move the USC commit.

• The same can be said for Silas Redd (Stamford, Conn./The King and Low Heywood Thomas), but we feel he will be more of a complete back in Happy Valley.

• Andre Dawson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) might have been overshadowed by Under Armour All-American receiver Keenan Davis (Iowa) last season and plays in a non-hotbed state, but in terms of upside, we feel this kid has all the physical tools to develop into a very productive college running back once his tall frame fills out.

• Miami is well represented at the running back position again. Keep your eyes on Eduardo Clements (Miami/Booker T. Washington) and Brandon Gainer (Miami/Miami Central); both show flashes of being productive, every-down college backs.

Fullbacks

As more teams open up and employ the spread from high school to the college level, the fullback position is slowly becoming obsolete. College programs are starting to focus more on recruiting jumbo athletes -- big, athletic and versatile prospects who can line up at fullback, tight end or H-back. This fullback class is comprised of good, midrange quality players who fit that mold but also has a few throwback, pure fullbacks up top that are ideal for any college program employing a lot of I-formation or pro-style schemes.

Zach Zwinak | Highlights
(Frederick, Md./Linganore)
College: Undecided
He's a two-way standout who plays the game fast, physical and with great instincts. He has some deceptive quicks and vision, but it's his rugged, powerful running style that jumps off film. An explosive, versatile athlete who plays the game the way it should be played.

Brandon Worle
(LaGrange, Ga./Troup County Comprehensive)
College: LSU
He's another massive, physical fullback who is a complete load to take down at the high school level. He's a great short-yardage guy and an equally impressive blocker with more than adequate hands. LSU has landed a prototypical fullback who is a great fit for its offensive scheme.

Zach Fogerson | Highlights
(Seattle/O'Dea)
College: Washington
A pure fullback with sought-after size and physical tools at the position, Fogerson just needs some refinement as a blocker and pass-catcher in Washington's scheme. He's a good in-state prospect who could see the field early.

Maurice Hagens
(Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Senior Tech)
College: Miami
He's another load of a back and powerful throwback-type of fullback. The future Cane already has rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his high school career, and most of that production has come after contact.

Billy Tucker is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc.