They’re bulls in a china shop on the football field. They’re the caffeine that jumpstarts an offense—the giddy-up-and-go that got up and went because, plain and simple, you, the average football fan, have no clue who the hell they are.
They’re the underappreciated running backs of college football—the players that more often than not do all the heavy lifting, the leg churning, the shedding of blood, sweat, and tears that results in a measly two yards, yet an important two yards, only to make way for the headliner of the show.
Take Evan Royster of Penn State—heard of him? No, you only know Daryll Clark, the flashy passer, fleet-footed runner, the man who drives the Nittany Lion show. But Royster, with vision that allows him to slide through holes with ease and swallow up yards in bunches, is ranked in the top 15 in yards per carry, top 10 in touchdowns, and top 25 in yards per game.
What about Donald Brown, the Connecticut back who leads the nation in yards per game, with nearly 180? But most of you don’t know him, likely because the Huskies still only have respect in their basketball program.
Then there’s Derrick Washington, who, in his first six games, ran for 11 touchdowns, good for fifth in the nation. But I bet you didn’t know he ran for “The Zou.” No, of course not, even though he’s the one that has to keep defenses honest, even though all day long the opponents are still thinking of Heisman hopeful Chase Daniel and the Missouri passing game.
How about MiQuale Lewis—“MiQuale Who,” you say? Lewis is the key to Ball State’s offense—yes, the same Ball State team that managed to sneak into the top 25 just days ago. How do you think the team got there? Try Lewis, a back who has carried the team with his 130-plus yards per game and 13 touchdowns over its first seven games.
Kendall Hunter—he’s only a sophomore, definitely not 40. That’s right, he plays for Mike Gundy and the Cowboys, and his 140-plus yards per game are one of the main reasons that Oklahoma State finds itself among the nation’s top 10 teams in the country. But if he passed you on the street, you wouldn’t even flinch.
Evan Royster, Donald Brown, Derrick Washington, MiQuale Lewis, and Kendall Hunter—five talented backs that all hold significant roles on ranked teams, and you likely hadn’t heard of all five before today.
Tell them that and they likely wouldn’t care. They don’t need props; they don’t need a spotlight. They would rather be covered in mud, grass, and sweat—they’d want to be covered in football.
When the college football world is chattering about the the Knoshown Moreno types, the Javon Ringers of the world, the stars like Beanie Wells, it should be mentioning these players in the same breath—but it isn't.
Until today.
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about 1 month ago
Great article Kevin. I do think Royster is underated. Due to Clark having so many options on offense, he really does spread the ball out to everyone. And the lions avg starting field position is something like the 40yd line. Royster has come through on a lot of crucial plays, and although not as fast as Green (who is also an excellent RB) he really does have good vision, averaging over 7 yards every time he has the ball. I am also willing to bet money he has more yards than C. Wells next saturday.
from about 1 month ago
I just realized my comment (below) was not written back to you... instead just as a regular comment, so thought I would write again in case you were looking to continue the discussion. Later...
about 1 month ago
Hey Jon,
Yes, agreed... Penn State has so many weapons and use the SpreadHD to spread the ball around, that everyone gets buried when talking about them, except for Clark. Certainly, Royster has been great, and guys like Norwood have been fantastic when in the game.
But if there was a need to give the ball more to Royster, I think he would be in Heisman consideration right now... because some of his stats are near those at the top - guys like Ringer who are considered Heisman material - but Royster has half the carries. Plus, as you mentioned, they like to mix in Green to give a different look - and a guy with exceptional speed.
Yes, if Ohio State tries to put a similar plan out there that Illinois did, then the focus would be more on Pryor than Wells.
So since you bring up PSU and OSU... what are your predictions for the next two weeks?
from about 1 month ago
Well this weekend PSU will run the table on Michigan, they are just a terrible football team this year. I have no fear of eating a shoe over that one. OSU and MSU is a different story. I really haven't been impressed at all by OSU this year and they are going to run into some serious trouble this weekend. If OSU's defense can hold them under 20, I would say OSU has a chance, but I just see MSU pulling through with the big W.
Next Saturday will be an exciting day, but the way OSU has been playing they will be taking their 3rd loss of the season to PSU.
about 1 month ago
I'm going to go with Tarrion Adams of Tulsa. He doesn't have the big numbers (630 Total yards, 4 TDs), but he is an underrated cog in the Tulsa offensive machine that is putting up over 50 points and close to 600 yards a game.
from about 1 month ago
Nice pick. Yeah, you really don't have to have the big numbers - just need to be someone that contributes a ton to the team's cause. I'll be honest that I have never seen him play at all, but I do know that he had over 1,200 yards rushing last season, and that's a great year.
about 1 month ago
Great article...I'm going with my boy Royster. Don't forget our backups. Green provides the lighting to the newest Thunder and Lighting of running backs. Carter is very good, but I think he got hurt in the Wisconsin game. We've got a power back in Beachum waiting to step up in another year or two. Go State! Linebacker and Running Back U?
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Isaac... ha ha. You know, I think right now, the Nittany Lions have an early verbal commit to another back that apparently has run a pretty fast 40-time - but obviously those numbers could be inaccurate.
But yes, Royster is obviously a solid pick among the five - imagine the numbers he would be putting up if he was getting the amount of carries that guys like Ringer have? Honestly though, then the SpreadHD wouldn't be as effective.
Yes, Carter I think got hurt on a special teams play - Beachum has showed some promise too at times.
All the above backs have been key to each team's success... imagine that guy Washington, who the majority of people likely don't know anything about while being in Chase Daniel's shadow.
from about 1 month ago
Another commit...nice. I didn't know that Missouri even had a RB! Its all Chase Daniel and Maclin and his amazing receivers.
from about 1 month ago
Right... how could I not mention Maclin along with Daniel? Seriously, those two are nasty, but Washington really helps that offense click as well.
from about 1 month ago
Who's Washington? haha, jk. Any prediction on the game this weekend...can the curse be broken? By how much?
from about 1 month ago
I think it can be broken - and should be. I won't be as bold to say a gigantic blowout like you predicted... but I did hear that the spread was at 24 points... which is unreal. When was the last time you saw that kind of spread on a Penn State - Michigan game?
from about 1 month ago
Before I was born? I don't think I've ever seen that spread on that game. Well, who would know that we would dismantle USC and Ohio State in 94? What was the OSU score...63-14? I expect that to happen again this year.........to Michigan. But PSU will beat Ohio State.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah it was 63-14 or something like that in '94.
Probably before I was born too...
I went to the kickoff classic where we beat down on USC... I think it was the debut of Enis that year and he ran for 200 yards or something like that...
from about 1 month ago
I was there as well. It was raining, wasn't it? They beat us 26-3, I believe.
from about 1 month ago
There were two... you must have been at the one PSU lost. I was at the one that they won. I also managed to get to a few bowl games in my time... Outback Bowls against Kentucky and Auburn (both wins), as well as the Citrus Bowl against Florida where everyone and their mother got suspended beforehand... that was a loss, but closer than some thought it would be.
about 1 month ago
Great picks, it's nice to see some of the "other guys" get some credit!
How about Shun White/Eric Kettani at Navy? We all know they are a running-based team but that's still impressive how they've put up 698/510 yards respectively..
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Jeff...
You know, I considered Shun White, especially because of that one game he had early in the season where I think he had around 300 yards... but as you said, it's a run-all offense and I decided to stick with the backs that are a part of an offense that also features a passing game. With that being said, it certainly doesn't mean that White and Kettani aren't talented... and having solid seasons at Navy - because they certainly are. Thanks for the additions...
about 1 month ago
Nice list! Harvey Unga for BYU is another running back who isn't talked about that often. He's a great runner with 550 yards on the ground and a great pass catcher with 24 catches for 188 yards.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks DJ.
True - it is all about Max Hall and the BYU passing game. While his rushing numbers aren't too gaudy, he's still a solid addition, especially since he does have the ability to contribute both to the passing and running game.
about 1 month ago
Baron Batch, 2nd in the big 12 in yards per carry, not to mention, 18 catches, at 14 yards per catch...
As the backup.
from about 1 month ago
At nearly eight yards a carry, it's certainly a good problem for Texas Tech to have on offense, isn't it?
about 1 month ago
Man listening to ESPN all I have heard of is small(Beenie Wells) and Knowshauauwn I think the just like the flashy names so the can try to make up a good line.
from about 1 month ago
Hey Matthew,
The networks certainly like to grasp on to the big names. Heck, if I had a dollar for every time I saw Moreno's running leap, I would be a rich man.
about 1 month ago
Jahvid Best should also be on the list.
from about 1 month ago
He's played well for Cal, but the injuries have limited his stats and playing time, therefore, I didn't consider him. However, in some categories, he's statistically in the top 20 in the country...
from about 1 month ago
took the words right out of my mouth Stephen.
Kevin, he should have a special place in your heart with his video of him puking against Maryland all over youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6K7ErLnwmw
from about 1 month ago
Ha ha, let me go check that one out....
from about 1 month ago
I watched most of that game too, but I don't remember that play...
from about 1 month ago
I'm not sure what he ate but it looks to be a lot of something very green...
from about 1 month ago
Yeah it was, almost looked like some cheesy horror flick or something... or the guy just loves a good bowl of split pea soup. Maybe it was lime Gatorade?
about 1 month ago
How about Gleen Coffee of Alabama who has 708 yards on over 7 yds/ carry.
from about 1 month ago
I considered Coffee, but I feel like people were talking about him some (not as much as Moreno or Ringer, but some), especially regarding his 200 yard performance against Kentucky... but yeah, he's played well and is a key piece to 'Bama's offense.
about 1 month ago
Da'Rell Scott from Maryland would be a good choice as well.
from about 1 month ago
Scott is a solid back... definitely an impact player for the Terps. His numbers aren't quite as flashy as some of the others, but he does average close to 100 yards a game.
about 1 month ago
Great article, one guy I would throw out there is UL-Lafayette's Tyrell Fenroy. He about to become the 7th player in FBS history to rush for 1,000 yards in four straight seasons. He is consistent and is reliable. Also he just rushed for a school record 297 yards two weeks ago against UL-Monroe.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Kenneth, so I responded to you but realized I did it on a separate comment below... anyway, thanks for pitching in.
about 1 month ago
Thanks Kenneth...
Nice extra stats there on Fenroy... he's one I easily could have put into this list - or maybe should have. I just double checked his numbers and he's up there in the top five on TD's, plus averages around 140 a game rushing. Solid.
When it came down to it, since there are so many good unknown backs, I decided to have my five be on teams that were currently ranked, or had been on a ranked team in recent weeks.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah I know, I was looking at my Mid-season All American team and there are a lot of players out there having a good season, how do you pick some of them over others ya know...
from about 1 month ago
No doubt... so I just came up with a theme or a rhyme or reason behind my five, and I'm pleased that others have come on here (such as yourself) and gave props to some others that deserve to be recognized for their performances thus far...
about 1 month ago
Hey KP...you leave the evil empire over at the other place or are you just spreading the kp love around? Inquiring flying pigs wanna know.
from about 1 month ago
Hey... I still put my stuff on Fox as well...
Are you around these parts now? I haven't seen you in a while either...
about 1 month ago
I'll add a name to the list. Florida true freshman Jeffrey Demps. In his last two games he run for 232 yards on just 17 carries. For the season he is averaging a ridiculous 13.3 yards per carry.
All 4 of his touchdown runs were over 30 yards. It is rare that you can say this, but Demps is hands down the fastest player in the country. He ran a 10.01 second 100 meter dash (fastest time EVER by an American teenager). Against LSU, he took an option pitch from Tim Tebow and blew right through the LSU defense (a very fast defense) and made them look like they were standing still.
from about 1 month ago
Hey,
Demps is a nice addition... especially since he has that special teams side to him as well. He is lightning fast... tough to catch him once he gets those legs moving.
Some day you'll hear of a guy named Stephfon Green, a backup at Penn State... he's almost as fast...
about 1 month ago
Kevin: Great read. Good points of conjecture. I have watched a kid out of La Lafayette named Tyrell Fenroy. He plays against no name talent, but is on pace to hit almost 1,900 yards. At 5'9", 180, is big enough to make a splash in the pros. I think he will be 5th round steal in the next draft.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Joseph, much appreciated...
Yeah, I have seen a few others bring up Fenroy too. He certainly has put up some impressive numbers at LA Lafayette... no doubt about that.
Who knows, there are certainly other guys that have had some success in the NFL, while playing for small schools in college... a trio come to my head right away, one being Brian Westbrook... then two rookies who have seen starts this year, Kevin Smith and Matt Forte.
about 1 month ago
There's no way that anyone is going to put a Penn State running back high on their draft boards for three simple reasons:
Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter, and Curtis Enis.
I do like the other guys you mentioned in the article though. Great read.
from about 1 month ago
Ouch. Well, we can't couple Royster up with those guys... could be a string of bad luck... anyway, he's still a young guy and has a few years to get better. Anything can happen over a few years. I see where you're going, but I don't think NFL scouts think that way when evaluating players.
Thanks! Later
about 1 month ago
Lets not forget about Jacquizz Rodgers at Oregon State.
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