RYAN DUNLEAVY’S TOP 10 RUNNING BACKS
Player School Ht Wt 1. Travis Etienne Clemson 5-10 215 Stunning for a back to run up his odometer to four seasons. After nearly 700 career carries, he still has one-cut home-run speed. 2. Najee Harris Alabama 6-1 232 Another product of the RB Factory. Can be a 300-touch back and pass-protector because he has the size to deliver and withstand punishment. 3. Javonte Williams N. Carolina 5-10 212 Looks thick and runs behind his pads between the tackles, drawing Nick Chubb comparisons. Highlights stand out because of how often he runs through tacklers. 4. Michael Carter N. Carolina 5-8 201 Strange to see college teammates ranked back-to-back. Carter led ACC in rushing last season, averaged 6.6 yards per carry in his career and returned kicks. 5. Trey Sermon Ohio St. 6-0 215 Inconsistent at Oklahoma and Ohio State, but with massive games (331 rushing yards in Big Ten Championship) mixed in. Big yards-after-catch possibilities.
Player School Ht Wt 6. Kenneth Gainwell Memphis 5-8 201 Four family members died of COVID-19, prompting Gainwell to sit out the season. Only FBS player to top 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in 2019. 7. Demetric Felton UCLA 5-9 189 Is he a back or receiver? Antonio Gibson faced the same question and had 1,042 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. Creates space with his quickness. 8. Kylin Hill Miss. St. 5-11 214 Grinds out short yardage and catches the ball. An option as a shifty third-down specialized back. Only 15 carries before opting out of the 2020 season. 9. Rhamondre Stevenson Oklahoma 6-0 231 Fullback or a heavy downhill lead back? Could have some “Derrick Henry Effect” wearing out defenses. Was suspended five games, reportedly for failed drug tests. 10. Chuba Hubbard Okla. St. 6-0 210 Sounds like a Ben & Jerry’s flavor but actually led the nation in rushing in 2019. Praised for his speed, vision and balance in maximizing tiny holes.