Top College Running Backs for 2012

Top Running Backs for 2012



10. LSU's Running Backs By Committee. Ware, Ford, Blue, and Hilliard make up what is easily the best running back stable in the country. LSU will be able to plug in any of them at any time. They all like to run down hill playing smashmouth football. This will allow LSU to keep fresh legs and big rushing numbers.



November 11, 2011 - Source: Butch Dill/Getty Images North America



9. Eddie Lacy: The next Alabama Crimson Tide running is known for his spin move, but he will need more tools in 2012 to make up for the loss of Trent Richardson, but 2011 Lacy who was battling a turf toe still racked up 674 yards on only 95 carries.

8. Rex Burkhead: The powerful Cornhusker carried the ball 284 times last year for over a thousand yards. Burkhead is a throwback hard noised back that gets stronger as the game goes on.

 7. Christine Michael: This Aggie doesn't need a 12th man to rack up the yards. He didn't play in four games last year but ranked up almost 900 yards. In the Arkansas game Michael's rushed for over 230 yards!

6. Kenjon Barner: The Senior Duck will not have to share carries with LaMichael James this season and should easily break the 1000 yars rushing mark. Every year at Oregon Barner has average at least 6 yards pre rush!

5. Knile Davis: After missing all of the 2011 season with injury you can be sure that Davis will be hungry to make up for lost time, but will he be a step slow as he ties to come back? What we do know is in 2010 he was almost unstoppable, and if the same Davis returns in 2012... watch out.

4. Ray Graham: The Pitt Panthers are on their 3rd coach in three seasons and Graham will once again be leaned on to carry not just the ball, but the team on his back. Last season Graham ran for almost a 1000 yrds before getting injured missing the last five games of the season.

3. Stepfon Taylor: As we start the era after Luck players like Taylor will be asked to handle an even bigger load. I could see Taylor going for more than 1500 yards this year with out Luck.

2. Marcus Lattimore: Once again another running back who's 2011 was cut short due to an injury, but Lattimore was well on his way to passing 1000 yards in 11 and he will pass it in 2012 if he can stay healthy.

  

1. Montee Ball: The Touchdown machine who racked up 33 TD's in 2011 earning him a spot in Heisman finals. Ball will be looked at even more in 2012 as Russel Wilson has moved on the NFL. I look for Ball to make a return trip to NYC as he should get close to last years 1923 yards.  

-Patrick Pierce

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