Peterson, Bush top preseason RB rankingsBy Todd McShayScouts Inc.Four of the top five rushers from 2005 are gone. DeAngelo Williams, Jerome Harrison, Reggie Bush and Laurence Maroney are headed to the NFL. However, there will not be a shortage of talented rushers on Saturdays this fall. Here are the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning college running backs. [/color] 1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma, JR, 6-1, 215Peterson's disappointing 2005 campaign was hardly a sophomore slump. While he was limited by injuries, inexperience along the offensive line and dismal quarterback play from first-year starter Rhett Bomar were the bigger factors that contributed to Peterson's reduced numbers. With a far more established supporting cast this fall, Peterson's production should mirror that of his freshman season in 2004, when he ran for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns. 2. Michael Bush, Louisville, SR, 6-2, 246Bush rushed for 1,143 yards and 23 touchdowns on 205 carries as a junior in 2005, despite missing two games due to an ankle sprain. On top of his outstanding combination of size and speed as a runner, Bush is a weapon as a receiver out of the backfield. Few teams in the nation boast a better backfield than Louisville has in Bush and QB Brian Brohm. 3. Jamaal Charles, Texas, SO, 6-1, 195Despite sharing time at the tailback position and missing time due to a nagging ankle injury, Charles rushed for 878 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2005, earning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors. It won't be as easy this time around without QB Vince Young demanding so much attention. However, Charles has a season of experience under his belt and -- perhaps more importantly -- an offseason of strength and conditioning to rely upon when the going gets tough late in games. 4. Steve Slaton, West Virginia, SO, 5-10, 185Slaton began his freshman fall practice last year as West Virginia's fourth-team tailback behind Jason Colson, Pernell Williams and highly touted recruit Jason Gwaltney, who has transferred to Nassau Community College. By season's end, Slaton rushed for 1,128 yards, which was 625 more than those three combined. Slaton and dual-threat QB Pat White should become a record-smashing backfield tandem for the Mountaineers over the next few years. 5. Marshawn Lynch, Cal, JR, 5-11, 206Lynch rushed for 1,246 yards as a first-year starter last season despite missing two games due to injury. He will still share some carries with Justin Forsett, who impressed with an average of 7.6 yards per carry as Lynch's backup and injury replacement. But as long as Lynch stays healthy and continues to progress, he should see twice as many carries this season, which could equate to 2,000-plus rushing yards. 6. Kenny Irons, Auburn, SR, 5-11, 202Irons made a statement when he rushed for 1,259 of his 1,293 yards in Auburn's final 10 games of the 2005 season. With a fine combination of size and speed to go along with his punishing north-south running style, Irons should continue to grind through SEC defenses as a senior this fall. 7. Darren McFadden, Arkansas, SO, 6-2, 210It didn't take long for this highly touted freshman to prove his billing as a first-rate ball carrier last season. McFadden rushed for 1,113 yards on just 176 carries (an impressive 6.3 yards per carry). With nine other returning starters on the Razorbacks' offense, McFadden should rank among the elite rushers in the nation. His versatility as a receiver should be on display in Arkansas' more wide-open offense. 8. Mike Hart, Michigan, JR, 5-9, 197The Wolverines realized Hart's value to their offense when he was limited to just 150 carries during an injury-plagued sophomore season in 2005. Hart lacks ideal size, so it will be important for the Michigan coaching staff to monitor his carries and health closely. If Michigan can keep him involved in all 12 games this season, Hart could be in the Heisman Trophy running, and the Wolverines could be in the national championship hunt.9. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern, SO, 5-9, 190Sutton had a chip on his shoulder after being snubbed in recruiting by several powerhouse programs in the Midwest. After watching the elusive freshman bedazzle defenses to the tune of 1,870 yards of total offense last season, it's safe to say that Sutton got the last laugh. Next up for the sophomore is to prove his worth without veteran QB Bret Basanez in the backfield. 10. James Davis, Clemson, SO, 5-11, 210Davis proved to be an offensive spark plug when healthy as a freshman last season. Clemson was undefeated in the five games that Davis finished with 15 or more carries; the team was 3-4 in the other seven contests. A full offseason of training should lead to a more durable Davis in 2005. With all five starting offensive linemen returning, Davis should put up monster numbers as the Tigers' offensive focal point.The next best 15:11. Kenneth Darby, Alabama, senior12. Lorenzo Booker, Florida State, senior13. Gary Russell, Minnesota, junior14. Albert Young, Iowa, junior15. Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State, junior16. Brian Leonard (FB), Rutgers, senior17. Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, senior18. Tyrone Moss, Miami, senior19. Darius Walker, Notre Dame, junior20. Alley Broussard, LSU, senior21. Lynell Hamilton, San Diego State, junior22. Arian Foster, Tennessee, sophomore23. Tony Hunt, Penn State, senior24. Stevie Hicks, Iowa State, senior25. Kyle Bell, Colorado State, junior
Arian Foster is gonna turn some heads if UT (Tennessee) has a decent season. This isn't a homer's comment either, I like UT and all, but I'm not a big fan of them or anything.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jeefunk @ Jun 12 2006, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Arian Foster is gonna turn some heads if UT (Tennessee) has a decent season. This isn't a homer's comment either, I like UT and all, but I'm not a big fan of them or anything.</div>Gary Russell is going to look like Laurence Maroney by the end of the year...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kliquid @ Jun 13 2006, 02:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Gary Russell is going to look like Laurence Maroney by the end of the year...</div>Minnesota just keeps churning them out, don't they?
Peterson basically went unnoticed last year with an injury and other people with a heisman campaign like Vince Young Bush(of course) Leinart Maroney had a pretty good year until that injury Brady Quinn and others so he needed to have a great season to be in the race. This year may be his year definately a top running back and if he can go without injury he maybe a lock for heisman.
<span style="color:#993399">Gary Russell has to get ELIGABLE first. He's taking summer courses at a local C.C. trying to get re-enrolled for this fall and back on the team. </span>
I would have Slaton 3rd, Lynch 4th, and Charles 5th. Also switch Hart and McFadden and you have yourself a great list.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jeefunk @ Jun 12 2006, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Arian Foster is gonna turn some heads if UT (Tennessee) has a decent season. This isn't a homer's comment either, I like UT and all, but I'm not a big fan of them or anything.</div>Don't you think that Riggs Jr. was better then Foster and he didn't do that much at UT last year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (UhOh315 @ Jun 13 2006, 09:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Don't you think that Riggs Jr. was better then Foster and he didn't do that much at UT last year. </div>Hard to say, Riggs was a senior and Foster was just a freshman. And the season was well in the sewer for most of the time that Foster was starting, but with what Foster showed as a freshman leads me to believe that he'll be a monster when his time comes.
Gary Russell will lead the nation in rushing yards. Their's my bold prediction for the year. (If he plays that is)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FSUViking @ Jun 13 2006, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="color:#993399">Gary Russell has to get ELIGABLE first. He's taking summer courses at a local C.C. trying to get re-enrolled for this fall and back on the team. </span></div>Who cares if he's an idiot? As long as he gets 1,800 and 25.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FSUViking @ Jun 13 2006, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="color:#993399">Gary Russell has to get ELIGABLE first. He's taking summer courses at a local C.C. trying to get re-enrolled for this fall and back on the team. </span></div>Yes, but I have no doubt that he will do that.
