1. Josh Jacobs (Alabama)– Nick Saban has had a few good running backs come through Tuscaloosa and then make that jump to the NFL. Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry are a few that come to mind. What I enjoy about Josh Jacobs is that he’s that every down running back. He has that ability to slash away or get low and use that shoulder to run through you. He can also catch the ball out the backfield or from the slot. He’s a patient runner that allows the lanes to open along with letting the blockers block up front. He has the gas and burst to bounce outside and moves well in between the tackles. His skillset reminds me a lot of Sony Michel. He may come off as a finesse back, but he’s shown he can be forceful and violent at the point of attack. Running backs over the last few years have had nice impacts on their teams after being drafted. Zeke, Fournette, Barkley, Michel, now Jacobs perhaps?
2. Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic)– He maybe undersized, but he’s your typical three-down back with exceptional toughness to fight for each yard per carry. He’s got a nose for the endzone with good vision and power near the goal line. He can process and respond to ongoing traffic. He displays the demeanor of a bigger running back despite only being 5’7. He’s a courageous pass blocker who has a series of memorable blocks. I can see him being a steal for any team that decides to take a chance on him in April in Nashville for the draft.
3. Damien Harris (Alabama)– During his time in Tuscaloosa, he had big shoes to fill replacing Derrick Henry. He was the model of consistency during his time with the Crimson Tide. He’s a disciplined back that has everything you in a guy to play the position. He plays with a rugged mindset. He wants to be physical and run through guys. There’s no sign of cuteness within his game. He has a tremendous feel for space, and he allows his blockers to open those lanes up front for him to maneuver through. He’s also capable of catching the ball out the backfield with soft hands. Harris can also block along with doing those gritty things on the field such as protecting his quarterback’s blindside, he doesn’t mind picking up a blitz.
4. David Montgomery (Iowa State)– Before his days at Iowa State, he was a duel-threat playing quarterback in Ohio. He’s a running back with the combination of size, vision, toughness and creativity. He’s a patient runner with solid vision to gear it up at the second level. He’s very sure-handed with the football as he rarely fumbles. He’s not an easy guy to bring down. He displays a very thick frame with a powerful lower body to create rare contact balance. I love the adequate agility he shows to elude one tackler and he’s ready to take on the next.
5. Miles Sanders (Penn State)– He had some big shoes to fill replacing a superstar in Saquon Barkley. Coming into the year, I said all he had to do was simply be himself. His instincts are top notch. He first gets a feel for what’s coming, then he proceeds to run. He has solid footwork to probe and move around from traffic coming in his direction, he’s instinctive with a feel for the crevices inside. He can create through elusiveness and power. Miles is also a serviceable third down back. He displays his hands when having to block in pass protection.
