We had our friend Todd DeVries, who runs our brother site CollegeFootballGeek.com and is the leading expert in College Fantasy Football, add some insight about this incoming group of players.

 

1 Mark Ingram, Alabama (5-9, 215, 4.58) Ingram clocked in a bit slower than expected in the 40-yard dash, but that is not an issue as the Alabama product relies more on his powerful lower body to pound out yards rather than speed. He has very good balance and is tough to bring down, to go along with excellent intelligence and awareness that can make an offensive line better. He likes to get hit and it is a bonus that he has exceptional hands and receiving skills. He needs to improve in pass protection, but that is a minor weakness that can be addressed with coaching, and he is easily the No. 1 ranked prospect at the position. As a side note, Ingram was slowed by injuries in 2010, but was a stud as a sophomore with 1,658 rushing yards and 17 scores.

 

College Football Geek Insight: Outstanding inside runner with elite vision to pick the right hole.  Strong leg drive, always pumping legs for extra yards.  Only fumbled twice in college career.  Reliable receiver.  Needs to work on pass blocking technique.

 

 

 

2 Mikel Leshoure, Illinois (6-0, 227, 4.59) Leshoure possesses a wondrous combination of size and speed, and has drawn comparisons to former Illini star Rashard Mendenhall. He packs a wallop as a wrecking ball when swung between the tackles, and he will appeal to teams looking for an every-down back who can wear down defenses. He needs work on his pass blocking and is unpolished as a receiver, but he grades very well and is the best prospect after Ingram. He averaged 6.4 rushing yards over his final two collegiate seasons, and went out with a bang in 2010, grinding out 1,697 rushing yards. 

 

College Football Geek Insight: Power runner who exploded onto the scene in 2010.  He has workhorse size at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds.  Didn't fumble in 298 carries last fall.  Excellent burst.  Not a great receiver or blocker.  One year wonder?

 

 

 

 

3 Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (5-9, 212, 4.61) Williams was already a hot prospect, but raised his Draft stock even higher after impressively recording a 40-inch vertical jump and pulling off breathtaking cuts during drills at the Combine. Williams also showed off his great burst and acceleration. He was not much of a factor in the passing game at Virginia Tech, but did average 5.3 yards per rushing attempt over his career. He was slowed by a lingering hamstring injury throughout his 2010 campaign, but he should still be a first-round selection, and could be a game-breaker on the next level.

 

College Football Geek Insight: Has big-play ability.  Great at turning the corner.  Patient runner with good vision.  Hamstring injury plagued him from reaching his true potential in 2010.  Ball security is a concern.

 

4 Daniel Thomas, Kansas State (6-0, 230, 4.63 estimated) Thomas was unable to run at the Combine due to his lingering hamstring issue, but we rank him at No. 4 based on pure talent and potential. Thomas ran with authority during his time at Kansas State, and was named First-Team All-Big 12 in 2009 and 2010, collecting 2,850 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns over that span. He also displayed excellent field vision, as well as good agility and athleticism for a big back. He is also a patient runner who excels in short-yardage, and could surprise as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Thomas is a decent blocker with room to get much better, and could be used as a workhorse, which is becoming rare in the NFL.

 

 

5 Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (5-7, 199, 4.53) Hunter notably had the best week among running backs at the Senior Bowl, and he has namely impressed scouts and NFL personnel with his ability to pick up the blitz, despite a lack of size. He has peerless balance thanks to a low center of gravity and turns heads with his agility. Hunter can run inside and wiggle out of tackles, and his toughness rubs off well with teammates. He also possesses good hands, which will give his drafting team the option of employing him as a third-down back, hence adding value to the pick. He is not your average undersized back, and we will be the first to admit that he can very well outperform his ranking at No. 5. He missed a good chunk of his junior year with an array of injuries, but impressively led the Big 12 in rushing in 2008 and 2010 while healthy.

 

College Football Geek Insight: Only 5-foot-7 and 199 pounds, which makes him more of a change of pace back than an every down back.  Despite being in a pass-first offense in Stillwater, he was not a great receiver.  Has big play capability

 

 

6 Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State (5-6, 196, 4.64) Rodgers' dismal 40 time at the Combine likely dropped him down many draft boards as an undersized back, but teams that rely more on game film - watching him tear up opposing defenses with Oregon State - will keep a high opinion of him. He averaged 1,263 rushing yards over his three seasons with the Beavers, and caught 146 passes over that span. Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider that he was a regular on the injury report. On the other side of that coin however, some may be turned off by durability concerns and may appeal more to clubs looking a change-of-pace back. We like him at No. 6 based on what he brings to the gridiron when healthy.

 

 

7 DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma (6-0, 213, 4.41) Murray may lack great power for a back his size, but he likely improved his Draft stock with a 4.41 in the 40 at the Combine, which was among the fastest times recorded at the position. He also possesses awesome balance, agility and body control, and will be a terror for opposing defenses with his ability to take the pigskin to the outside. He also has good hands and blocking skills, and developed an admirable work ethic at Oklahoma, where he chipped in 1,214 rushing yards and 594 receiving yards (on 71 catches) in 2010. He holds the school record for touchdowns and all-purpose yards, but a terrible track record with durability may have some teams targeting him later as a complement rather than a starter. We rank him at No. 7, but could outperform the spot if he can ultimately stay healthy and lands in the right situation, namely one that will let him compete for a starting role.

 

College Football Geek Insight: Outstanding receiver.  Nose for the endzone.  Good kick returner.  Speed to turn the corner.  Ball security is a concern.  Durability is an issue - Murray always seemed to be dinged up.

 

8 Jamie Harper, Clemson (5-11, 233, 4.59) Harper is more of a sleeper, but cracks our top 10 by his overall potential for the NFL. He has been blessed with a nice combination of size and speed and some of the best feet in the Draft at the position. He was also a menace to bring down in the open field during his Clemson days, as he additionally possesses a good set of hands with a knack for making tough catches. He is also an adequate pass blocker, which will help his Draft stock. He may not run with authority at times and tends to wait for plays to develop and could use help finding holes, but that can all be corrected with proper coaching and patience. He is more raw and unpolished than the other top prospects on our list due to inexperience, but could really turn out to be a diamond in the rough and we can envision Harper shining on the next level if he lands in the right system.

 

9 Shane Vereen, California (5-10, 210, 4.50) Vereen wants to prove he can be an every-down runner, and showed off his strength at the Combine by impressively benching 225 pounds 31 times. He also added some bulk to his frame after playing at around 200-205 pounds in his final year at Cal. He will appeal to NFL clubs looking for a dual-threat, which is a back that can attack defenses on the ground as well as a receiver. He lacks elite speed, but has enough to succeed and be a factor on the next level. He gained 2,572 combined yards rushing and receiving over his final two collegiate campaigns, to go along with 30 touchdowns. It remains to be seen if Vereen can ultimately be effective as a featured back, but he ranks inside our top 10 on sheer talent.   

 

College Football Geek Insight: At 5-foot-10 and 199 pounds, runs with low center of gravity.  Good speed.  Decent receiver out of backfield.  Can return kicks.  Not able to break tackles, first man usually gets him down.

 

10 Delone Carter, Syracuse (5-9, 222, 4.56) Carter was notably the MVP of the East-West Shrine Game back in January, and was coming off a fine senior campaign at Syracuse, with 1,233 rushing yards and nine scores. He lacks ideal speed but is a strong inside runner with good vision and a mighty burst through the hole. Carter needs work on his blitz pickups and won't be a factor in the passing game, but makes an intriguing prospect for teams that covet a power back. Carter was arrested for misdemeanor assault in April of 2010 and also had some academic issues, so that may prevent him from being selected on Day One of the Draft though. On talent alone, we like what he brings to the party.