4 and 5 Star running backs: A fact finding mission
Warning: if you don't like lists, this is not the Diary for you
With Rival 5 Star running back, Derrick Green, set to announce his college of choice in less than 24 hours, I thought this would be an opportune time to share this data with you.
I have compiled a list of all the 4 and 5 Star Rival running backs between 2002-2007 and took a look at how they fared in college and if they went on to get drafted into the NFL. I will list this data, but first a few findings and observations. I also compiled a list of the 330 3 Star running backs of this period but do not include them in the body of this work in an effort to shorten the post.
All lists on running backs are from Rivals. I did not use Scout or any other rating service.
I have a list of the Rivals running backs through 2012 but only included 2002-2007 in this study, because all these running backs have exhausted their eligibility and would have been drafted into the NFL if they were going to be. I almost included the 2008 class, but some like Sam McGuffie, are just finishing up their college career.
The list of Rival running backs will consist of Player; Stars; NFL Draft Round; 1000yd/College
1000yd/College: tells how many 1000 yard seasons player had in college and for what college. I used this because 1000 yards rushing has always been a benchmark of a successful college season and it was something I could acquire data on reasonably well
As far as the NFL draft list; there are a couple of tidbits;
Some NFL drafted running backs, such as Darren McFadden, were rated by Rivals as Athletes in HS or LB's or whatever. I do not include these players in any of the numbers pertaining to 4 and 5 Star running backs.
A few of the players in the NFL draft years used were out of HS before 2002, and hence, have no Rivals rating and were labeled NA.
Michigan players on the list:
For a little introductory of what is to follow, here is a list of the Michigan running backs from this period:
EDIT: somehow I left Pierre Rembert of the list of M running backs. Pierre did have one 1000 yard season for Illinios State after leaving Michigan. Not sure if Illinois State was FCS or FBS or something else in this time frame
Michigan 4 and 5 Star running backs 2002-2007 | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Darnell Hood | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Jerome Jackson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Max Martin | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mich; Ala; Ala St. |
Kevin Grady | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Carlos Brown | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Pierre Rembert | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mich and 1 Ill St. |
2002-2007 Rivals Running Backs:
21 are 5 Star running backs of which 10 or 47% were drafted into the NFL
139 are 4 Star running backs of which 36 or 26% were drafted into the NFL
330 are 3 Star running backs of which 38 or 11.5% were drafted into the NFL
2005-2012 NFL draft of running backs:
There are running backs from before 2002 and after 2007 in the draft list and they are not counted in any of the numbers pertaining to 2002-2007 Rival running backs
There were 160 running backs taken in this time period, of which, 84 come from the Rivals 3,4, and 5 Star running backs of this period
Of the 21 running backs taken if the first round of the NFL draft between 2005-2012 only two were 2 Stars the rest were 3, 4 and 5 Star.
1000yd/College:
As one might expect, there is a high correlation between being productive in college and getting drafted into the NFL.
Speaking of just the 4 and 5 Star Rivals running backs, 68% who enjoyed at least one 1000 yard season in college were drafted into the NFL
82%: 14/17 of 4/5 star running backs with 2 or more 1000 yard college seasons were drafted, including 6 first rounders. If you are highly rated out of HS and productive in college it is good news for you
40 of the 160; 25%; of 4/5 Stars running backs from 2000-2007 had at least one 1000 yd season.
11 of the 21 5 Star running backs accomplished at least one 1000 yd season. With 5 of 11 ending up first round draft picks in the NFL
The lists:
I will now include the rather lengthy lists of running backs and NFL running back drafts. Any insights you can share would be appreciated.
Rivals 4 and 5 Star running backs:
Each header will include the number of running backs on the list
Because Rivals ranks running backs in two categories, so do I.
2002 Rivals top running backs (27) |
|||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Ciatrick Fason | 5 Stars | 4th | 1 Florida |
Gerald Riggs Jr. | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 1 Tennessee |
Jerious Norwood | 5 Stars | 3rd | 2 Miss St. |
DeShawn Wynn | 4 Stars | 7th | 0 Florida |
Selvin Young | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Texas |
David Horne | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 at NEB; 1 N Iowa |
Nick Turner | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Miss St. |
Michael Cooper | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Georgia |
Robert Merrill | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 TCU |
Thomas Clayton | 4 Stars | 6th | 0 Fla and 0 K. State |
Randy Hill | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Arizona State |
Reshard Dudley | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Georgia 0 games |
Brian Calhoun | 4 Stars | 3rd | 0 Colo; 1 at Wisc |
Wali Lundy | 4 Stars | 6th | 0 Virginia |
Frederick Collins | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 San Diego State |
Tristan McClendon | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 NC State |
Pierre Rembert | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mich and 1 Ill St. |
Kenny Irons | 4 Stars | 2nd | 0 S. Car, and 1 Aub |
Stevie Hicks | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 Iowa State |
Damien Rhodes | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Syracuse |
Tre Smith | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Auburn |
Jamal Pittman | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mississsippi |
Kenny James | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Washington |
Marcus O'Keith | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 California |
Nate Schiccatano | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 ND and Temple |
John Ford | 4 Stars | Undrafted | NA no college ball |
Ibrahim Halsey | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Illinois |
2002 Rivals all purpose backs (11) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Lorenzo Booker | 5 Stars | 3rd | 0 Florida State |
Michael Johnson | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Virginia |
Justin Vincent | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 LSU |
Hershel Dennis | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 USC |
Skyler Green | 4 Stars | 4TH as WR | 0 LSU |
Darnell Hood | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Glenn Ohaeri | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 UCLA and Col St. |
Shelton Sampson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Washington |
Mario Whitney | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Missouri |
De'Angelo Williams | 4 Stars | 1st | 3 Memphis |
William Blackmon | 4 Stars | 4th as CB | 0 Boston College |
2003 Rivals top running backs (19) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Reggie Bush | 5 Stars | 1st | 1 USC |
Kregg Lumpkin | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Georgia |
Demetris Summers | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 South Carolina |
Alley Broussard | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 LSU |
Tyrone Moss | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Miami of Florida |
Darrell Blackman | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 NC State |
Lynell Hamilton | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 San Diego State |
Chauncey Washington | 4 Stars | 7th | 0 USC |
LenDale White | 4 Stars | 2nd | 2 USC |
Barrington Edwards | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 LSU then NC |
Erik Hardeman | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Texas |
Jason Evans | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Stanford |
Cornell Johnson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | NA no stats found |
Brian Dennison | 4 Stars | Undrafted | NA no stats found |
Jerome Jackson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Skyler Thornton | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Florida |
Andre Callender | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Boston College |
Laurence Maroney | 4 Stars | 1st | 3 Minnesota |
Austin Scott | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Penn State |
2003 Rivals all purpose backs (5) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Maurice Drew | 4 Stars | 2nd | 1 UCLA |
Rashaun Grant | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Georgia Tech |
David Marrero | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Stanford & San Jose |
Michael Turner | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Wisc and N. Mexico |
Albert Young | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 Iowa |
2004 Rivals top running backs (15) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Adrian Peterson | 5 Stars | 1st | 3 Oklahoma |
Marshawn Lynch | 4 Stars | 1st | 2 California |
Bobby Washington | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 NC State |
Thomas Brown | 4 Stars | 6th | 0 Georgia |
Charlie Jones | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 U Mia & Memphis |
D.J. Wolfe | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Oklahoma |
Jamaal Edwards | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Florida State |
Tony Temple | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 2 Missouri |
Andrew Johnson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 U Miami Florida |
Andre Brown | 4 Stars | 4th | 0 NC State |
Markus Manson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Florida & Vald St. |
George Bell | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Va Tech & Catawba |
Antonio Pittman | 4 Stars | 4th | 2 Ohio State |
Kenny Wilson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Nebraska |
Max Martin | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mich; Ala; Ala St. |
2004 Rivals all purpose backs (3) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Webster Patrick | 4 Stars | Undrafted | NA Juco only |
Terrell Jackson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Oregon |
Raymond Williams | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 WV; Tol; Shaw |
2005 Rivals top running backs (17) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Jonathan Stewart | 5 Stars | 1st | 1 Oregon |
Marlon Lucky | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 1 Nebraska |
Jason Gwaltney | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 WVU and others |
Kevin Grady | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Toney Baker | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 NC State |
James Davis | 4 Stars | 6th | 2 Clemson |
Jamaal Charles | 4 Stars | 3rd | 1 Texas |
Roy Upchurch | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Alabama |
Rashard Mendenhall | 4 Stars | 1st | 1 Illinois |
Maurice Greer | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Troy |
Antonio Robinson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Nicholls State |
Morgan Green | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Maryland |
J.R. Hasty | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Washington |
Mikell Simpson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Virginia |
Terry Longbons | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Arizona no stats |
Elan Lewis | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Va Tech; Del State |
Mike Ford | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 South Florida |
2005 Rivals all purpose backs (5) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Antone Smith | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Florida State |
LaMarcus Coker | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Tennessee |
Russell Ball | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Florida State |
Maurice Wells | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Ohio State |
Richie Rich | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 North Carolina |
2006 Rivals top running backs (22) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Chris Wells | 5 Stars | 1st | 2 Ohio State |
Stafon Johnson | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 USC |
James Aldridge | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Notre Dame |
Michael Goodson | 4 Stars | 4th | 0 Texas A&M |
Carlos Brown | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Michigan |
Benjamin Tate | 4 Stars | 2nd | 1 Auburn |
LeSean McCoy | 4 Stars | 2nd | 2 Pitt |
Charles Scott | 4 Stars | 6th | 1 LSU |
Emmanuel Moody | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 USC and Florida |
Knowshon Moreno | 4 Stars | 1st | 2 Georgia |
Kylan Robinson | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Miami of Florida |
Mon Williams | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Fla. & Eastern Ill. |
Javarris James | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Miami of Florida |
James Montgomery | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Cal & Wash State |
Kevin Collier | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Pitt |
Tracy Slocum | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Cal & Fresno St. |
Chris Brown | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 Oklahoma |
Brent Carter | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Penn State |
Cordera Eason | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mississippi |
Cameron Smith | 4 Stars | Undrafted | NA can't find stats |
Kenny Ashley | 4 Stars | Undrafted | NA only played juco |
Anthony Dixon | 4 Stars | 6th | 2 Mississippi State |
2006 Rivals all purpose backs (9) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
C.J. Spiller | 5 Stars | 1st | 1 Clemson |
Demarco Murray | 4 Stars | 3rd | 2 Oklahoma |
Vondrell McGee | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Texas |
Terry Grant | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Alabama |
Chevon Walker | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Fla; E. Ill & Sioux F |
Jamaal Evans | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Georgia Tech |
Kordell Young | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Rutgers |
Demetrius Goode | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Alabama & N. Ala |
Richard Murphy | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 LSU |
2007 Rivals top running backs (20) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Joe McKnight | 5 Stars | 4th | 1 USC |
Marc Tyler | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 1 USC |
Enrique Davis | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mississippi |
John Clay | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 2 Wisconsin |
Brandon Saine | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Ohio State |
Lennon Creer | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Tenn, 1 La Tech |
Robert Hughes | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Notre Dame |
Caleb King | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Georgia |
Jahvid Best | 4 Stars | 1st | 1 California |
Jonathan Dwyer | 4 Stars | 6th | 2 Georgia Tech |
Robert Elliott | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Mississippi State |
Bradley Stephens | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Texas A&M |
Brian Maddox | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 South Carolina |
Broderick Green | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 USC and Arkansas |
Terence Kerns | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 no college |
Bo Williams | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Iowa State |
Antwain Easterling | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Southern Miss. |
Daniel Herron | 4 Stars | 6th | 1 Ohio State |
Dale Martin | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Akron |
Derrick Washington | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Missouri |
2007 Rivals all purpose backs (7) | |||
Name | Stars | NFL DRAFT ROUND | 1000yd/College |
Noel Devine | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 2 West Virginia |
Armando Allen | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Notre Dame |
Raymond Carter | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 UCLA; Col. State |
Chris Rainey | 4 Stars | 5th | 0 Florida |
Shane Vereen | 4 Stars | 2nd | 1 California |
Foswhitt Whittaker | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 0 Texas |
Omar Bolden | 4 Stars | 4th as CB | 0 Arizona State |
NFL draft of running backs 2005-2012:
2005 NFL Draft Running Backs | |||||
Drafted Running Backs | |||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating | |
Ronnie Brown | Auburn | 1 | Miami | NA | |
Cedric Benson | Texas | 1 | Chicago | NA | |
Carnell Williams | Auburn | 1 | Tampa Bay | NA | |
J.J. Arrington | California | 2 | Arizona | NA | |
Eric Shelton | Louisville | 2 | Carolina | NA | |
Frank Gore | Miami (FL) | 3 | San Francisco | NA | |
Vernand Morency | Oklahoma State | 3 | Houston | NA | |
Ryan Moats | Louisiana Tech | 3 | Philadelphia | NA | |
Maurice Clarett | Ohio State | 3 | Denver | 5* | |
Marion Barber | Minnesota | 4 | Dallas | NA | |
Brandon Jacobs | Southern Illinois | 4 | NY Giants | NA | |
Ciatrick Fason | Florida | 4 | Minnesota | 5* | |
Manuel White | UCLA | 4 | Washington | NA | |
Alvin Pearman | Virginia | 4 | Jacksonville | NA | |
Darren Sproles | Kansas State | 4 | San Diego | NA | |
Damien Nash | Missouri | 5 | Tennessee | NA | |
Justin Green | Montana | 5 | Baltimore | NA | |
Cedric Houston | Tennessee | 6 | NY Jets | NA | |
Tony Jackson | Iowa | 6 | Seattle | NA | |
DeAndra Cobb | Michigan State | 6 | Atlanta | NA | |
Rick Razzano | Mississippi | 7 | Tampa Bay | NA | |
Nehemiah Broughton | Citadel | 7 | Washington | NA | |
Lionel Gates | Louisville | 7 | Buffalo | NA | |
Anthony Davis | Wisconsin | 7 | Indianapolis | NA | |
Noah Herron | Northwestern | 7 | Pittsburgh | NA | |
Madison Hedgecock | North Carolina | 7 | St. Louis | NA |
2006 NFL Draft Running Backs | |||||
Drafted Running Backs | |||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating | |
Reggie Bush | USC | 1 | New Orleans | 5* | |
Laurence Maroney | Minnesota | 1 | New England | 4* | |
DeAngelo Williams | Memphis | 1 | Carolina | 4* | |
Joseph Addai | LSU | 1 | Indianapolis | NA | |
LenDale White | USC | 2 | Tennessee | 4* | |
Maurice Jones-Drew | UCLA | 2 | Jacksonville | 4* | |
Brian Calhoun | Wisconsin | 3 | Detroit | 4* | |
Jerious Norwood | Mississippi State | 3 | Atlanta | 5* | |
Michael Robinson | Penn State | 4 | San Francisco | NA | |
Garrett Mills | Tulsa | 4 | New England | NA | |
Leon Washington | Florida State | 4 | NY Jets | NA | |
P.J. Daniels | Georgia Tech | 4 | Baltimore | NA | |
Jerome Harrison | Washington State | 5 | Cleveland | NA | |
David Kirtman | USC | 5 | Seattle | NA | |
Wali Lundy | Virginia | 6 | Houston | 4* | |
Lawrence Vickers | Colorado | 6 | Cleveland | NA | |
J.D. Runnels | Oklahoma | 6 | Chicago | NA | |
Cedric Humes | Virginia Tech | 7 | Pittsburgh | NA | |
Quinton Ganther | Utah | 7 | Tennessee | 2* |
2007 NFL Draft Running Backs | |||||
Drafted Running Backs | |||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating | |
Adrian Peterson | Oklahoma | 1 | Minnesota | 5* | |
Marshawn Lynch | California | 1 | Buffalo | 4* | |
Kenny Irons | Auburn | 2 | Cincinnati | 4* | |
Chris Henry | Arizona | 2 | Tennessee | 3* ATH | |
Brian Leonard | Rutgers | 2 | St. Louis | 3* | |
Brandon Jackson | Nebraska | 2 | Green Bay | 3* | |
Lorenzo Booker | Florida State | 3 | Miami | 5* | |
Tony Hunt | Penn State | 3 | Philadelphia | 3* | |
Garrett Wolfe | Northern Illinois | 3 | Chicago | 2* | |
Michael Bush | Louisville | 4 | Oakland | 4* ATH | |
Antonio Pittman | Ohio State | 4 | New Orleans | 4* | |
Dwayne Wright | Fresno State | 4 | Buffalo | 2* | |
Le'Ron McClain | Alabama | 4 | Baltimore | NA | |
Kolby Smith | Louisville | 5 | Kansas City | 3* | |
Oren O'Neal | Arkansas State | 6 | Oakland | NA | |
Reagan Mauia | Hawaii | 6 | Miami | 2* OT | |
Thomas Clayton | Kansas State | 6 | San Francisco | 4* | |
Deon Anderson | Connecticut | 6 | Dallas | 3* LB | |
Justise Hairston | Central Connecticut | 6 | New England | NA | |
DeShawn Wynn | Florida | 7 | Green Bay | 4* | |
Nate Ilaoa | Hawaii | 7 | Philadelphia | NA | |
Jason Snelling | Virginia | 7 | Atlanta | 3* | |
Kenneth Darby | Alabama | 7 | Tampa Bay | 3* | |
Ahmad Bradshaw | Marshall | 7 | NY Giants | 3* |
2008 NFL Draft Running Backs | |||||
Drafted Running Backs | |||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating | |
Darren McFadden | Arkansas | 1 | Oakland | 5*ATH | |
Jonathan Stewart | Oregon | 1 | Carolina | 5* | |
Felix Jones | Arkansas | 1 | Dallas | 4* ATH | |
Rashard Mendenhall | Illinois | 1 | Pittsburgh | 4* | |
Chris Johnson | East Carolina | 1 | Tennessee | 2* | |
Matt Forte | Tulane | 2 | Chicago | 2* | |
Ray Rice | Rutgers | 2 | Baltimore | 3* | |
Kevin Smith | UCF | 3 | Detroit | 2* | |
Jacob Hester | LSU | 3 | San Diego | 2* | |
Jamaal Charles | Texas | 3 | Kansas City | 4* | |
Steve Slaton | West Virginia | 3 | Houston | 3* | |
Tashard Choice | Georgia Tech | 4 | Dallas | 3* | |
Ryan Torain | Arizona State | 5 | Denver | 2* | |
Jerome Felton | Furman | 5 | Detroit | NA | |
Tim Hightower | Richmond | 5 | Arizona | NA | |
Owen Schmitt | West Virginia | 5 | Seattle | NA | |
Marcus Thomas | UTEP | 5 | San Diego | 2* | |
Thomas Brown | Georgia | 6 | Atlanta | 4* | |
Jalen Parmele | Toledo | 6 | Miami | 2* | |
Xavier Omon | Northwest Missouri | 6 | Buffalo | 1* | |
Mike Hart | Michigan | 6 | Indianapolis | 3* | |
Lex Hilliard | Montana | 6 | Miami | NA | |
Chauncey Washington | USC | 7 | Jacksonville | 4* | |
Peyton Hillis | Arkansas | 7 | Denver | 4* FB | |
Justin Forsett | California | 7 | Seattle | 2* | |
Cory Boyd | South Carolina | 7 | Tampa Bay | 3* | |
Allen Patrick | Oklahoma | 7 | Baltimore | NA |
2009 NFL Draft Running Backs | ||||
Drafted Running Backs | ||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating |
Knowshon Moreno | Georgia | 1 | Denver | 4* |
Donald Brown | Connecticut | 1 | Indianapolis | 3* |
Chris Wells | Ohio State | 1 | Arizona | 5* |
LeSean McCoy | Pittsburgh | 2 | Philadelphia | 4* |
Shonn Greene | Iowa | 3 | NY Jets | 3* |
Glen Coffee | Alabama | 3 | San Francisco | 3* |
Mike Goodson | Texas A&M | 4 | Carolina | 4* |
Tony Fiammetta | Syracuse | 4 | Carolina | 2* |
Andre Brown | North Carolina State | 4 | NY Giants | 4* |
Gartrell Johnson | Colorado State | 4 | San Diego | NA |
Quinn Johnson | LSU | 5 | Green Bay | 3* |
Frank Summers | UNLV | 5 | Pittsburgh | 2* |
Javon Ringer | Michigan State | 5 | Tennessee | 3* |
Cedric Peerman | Virginia | 6 | Baltimore | 3* |
Aaron Brown | TCU | 6 | Detroit | 2* |
James Davis | Clemson | 6 | Cleveland | 4* |
Bernard Scott | Abilene Christian | 6 | Cincinnati | 1* |
Chris Ogbonnaya | Texas | 7 | St. Louis | 3* |
Javarris Williams | Tennessee State | 7 | Kansas City | 1* |
Fui Vakapuna | Brigham Young | 7 | Cincinnati | NA |
Eddie Williams | Idaho | 7 | Washington | 2* |
Larod Stephens-Howling | Pittsburgh | 7 | Arizona | 3* |
Rashad Jennings | Liberty | 7 | Jacksonville | 2* |
2010 NFL Draft Running Backs | ||||
Drafted Running Backs | ||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating |
C.J. Spiller | Clemson | 1 | Buffalo | 5* |
Ryan Mathews | Fresno State | 1 | San Diego | 4* |
Jahvid Best | California | 1 | Detroit | 4* |
Dexter McCluster | Mississippi | 2 | Kansas City | 3* |
Toby Gerhart | Stanford | 2 | Minnesota | 3* |
Ben Tate | Auburn | 2 | Houston | 4* |
Montario Hardesty | Tennessee | 2 | Cleveland | 4* ATH |
Joe McKnight | USC | 4 | NY Jets | 5* |
John Conner | Kentucky | 5 | NY Jets | NA |
Anthony Dixon | Mississippi State | 6 | San Francisco | 4* |
Deji Karim | Southern Illinois | 6 | Jacksonville | 2* |
Jonathan Dwyer | Georgia Tech | 6 | Pittsburgh | 4* |
James Starks | Buffalo | 6 | Green Bay | 2* |
Charles Scott | LSU | 6 | Philadelphia | 4* |
Jameson Konz | Kent State | 7 | Seattle | 2* |
2011 NFL Draft Running Backs | ||||
Drafted Running Backs | ||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating |
Mark Ingram | Alabama | 1 | New Orleans | 4* ATH |
Ryan Williams | Virginia Tech | 2 | Arizona | 4* |
Shane Vereen | California | 2 | New England | 4* |
Mikel Leshoure | Illinois | 2 | Detroit | 3* |
Daniel Thomas | Kansas State | 2 | Miami | 4*ATH |
Demarco Murray | Oklahoma | 3 | Dallas | 4* |
Stevan Ridley | LSU | 3 | New England | 4* ATH |
Alexander Green | Hawaii | 3 | Green Bay | 3* |
Roy Helu | Nebraska | 4 | Washington | 3* |
Kendall Hunter | Oklahoma State | 4 | San Francisco | 3* |
Delone Carter | Syracuse | 4 | Indianapolis | 3* |
Owen Marecic | Stanford | 4 | Cleveland | 2* |
Taiwan Jones | Eastern Wash | 4 | Oakland | NA |
Bilal Powell | Louisville | 4 | NY Jets | 2* |
Jamie Harper | Clemson | 4 | Tennessee | 4* FB |
Johnny White | North Carolina | 5 | Buffalo | 3* |
Anthony Sherman | Connecticut | 5 | Arizona | 2* |
Jacquizz Rodgers | Oregon State | 5 | Atlanta | 3* |
Dion Lewis | Pittsburgh | 5 | Philadelphia | 3* |
Charles Clay | Tulsa | 6 | Miami | 3* |
Evan Royster | Penn State | 6 | Washington | 3* |
Jordan Todman | Connecticut | 6 | San Diego | 2* |
Allen Bradford | USC | 6 | Tampa Bay | 5* LB |
Shaun Chapas | Georgia | 7 | Dallas | 3* |
Da'Rel Scott | Maryland | 7 | NY Giants | 4* ATH |
Shane Bannon | Yale | 7 | Kansas City | NA |
Anthony Allen | Georgia Tech | 7 | Baltimore | 3* |
Baron Batch | Texas Tech | 7 | Pittsburgh | 3* |
Stanley Havili | USC | 7 | Philadelphia | 4* FB |
Jay Finley | Baylor | 7 | Cincinnati | 3* |
2012 NFL Draft Running Backs | ||||
Drafted Running Backs | ||||
NAME | SCHOOL | ROUND | TEAM | Rival rating |
Trent Richardson | Alabama | 1 | Cleveland | 5* |
Doug Martin | Boise State | 1 | Tampa Bay | 2* |
David Wilson | Virginia Tech | 1 | NY Giants | 4* |
Isaiah Pead | Cincinnati | 2 | St. Louis | 3* |
LaMichael James | Oregon | 2 | San Francisco | 4* |
Ronnie Hillman | San Diego State | 3 | Denver | 3* |
Bernard Pierce | Temple | 3 | Baltimore | 2* |
Lamar Miller | Miami (FL) | 4 | Miami | 4* |
Robert Turbin | Utah State | 4 | Seattle | 2* |
Rhett Ellison | USC | 4 | Minnesota | 3* TE |
Bradie Ewing | Wisconsin | 5 | Atlanta | 2* |
Chris Rainey | Florida | 5 | Pittsburgh | 4* |
Vick Ballard | Mississippi State | 5 | Indianapolis | 3* CC |
Alfred Morris | Florida Atlantic | 6 | Washington | 2* |
Cyrus Gray | Texas A&M | 6 | Kansas City | 4* |
Dan Herron | Ohio State | 6 | Cincinnati | 4* |
Terrance Ganaway | Baylor | 6 | NY Jets | 2* |
Michael Smith | Utah State | 7 | Tampa Bay | 2* CC |
Bryce Brown | Kansas State | 7 | Philadelphia | 5* |
Drake Dunsmore | Northwestern | 7 | Tampa Bay | 2* TE |
Edwin Baker | Michigan State | 7 | San Diego | 4* |
Daryl Richardson | Abilene Christian | 7 | St. Louis | NA |
2005-2012 first round NFL running backs | ||||
Name | College | Round | NFL Team | Stars |
Trent Richardson | Alabama | 1 | Cleveland | 5* |
Doug Martin | Boise State | 1 | Tampa Bay | 2* |
David Wilson | Virginia Tech | 1 | NY Giants | 4* |
Mark Ingram | Alabama | 1 | New Orleans | 4* ATH |
C.J. Spiller | Clemson | 1 | Buffalo | 5* |
Ryan Mathews | Fresno State | 1 | San Diego | 4* |
Jahvid Best | California | 1 | Detroit | 4* |
Knowshon Moreno | Georgia | 1 | Denver | 4* |
Donald Brown | Connecticut | 1 | Indianapolis | 3* |
Chris Wells | Ohio State | 1 | Arizona | 5* |
Darren McFadden | Arkansas | 1 | Oakland | 5*ATH |
Jonathan Stewart | Oregon | 1 | Carolina | 5* |
Felix Jones | Arkansas | 1 | Dallas | 4* ATH |
Rashard Mendenhall | Illinois | 1 | Pittsburgh | 4* |
Chris Johnson | East Carolina | 1 | Tennessee | 2* |
Adrian Peterson | Oklahoma | 1 | Minnesota | 5* |
Marshawn Lynch | California | 1 | Buffalo | 4* |
Reggie Bush | USC | 1 | New Orleans | 5* |
Laurence Maroney | Minnesota | 1 | New England | 4* |
DeAngelo Williams | Memphis | 1 | Carolina | 4* |
Joseph Addai | LSU | 1 | Indianapolis | NA |
January 25th, 2013 at 8:33 PM ^
It would be interesting to see where/how injuries (blown knees, etc.) impacted NFL draft prospects.
January 25th, 2013 at 10:13 PM ^
I like me some lists. Nice work... RBs make a difference.... Offensive linemen make a huge difference. It's been too long since we've had an every down sort of back with staying power. Thanks for taking the time on this.
January 26th, 2013 at 3:21 PM ^
And agree that the data are helpful from a historical, "where are they now", standpoint. Running back, by itself, is not an independent variable and other (on and off field) factors will likely affect the performance of the running back and draft status. The predictive value of star ratings has been done on this site, but this information will be useful as part of a larger data set.
(Thanks again for posting, gordie bell!)
January 25th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
2005 was not a good year to be a 5-star.
Also, California's had some good backs.
January 25th, 2013 at 10:59 PM ^
never will i understand how knowshon moreno went in the first round
January 25th, 2013 at 11:04 PM ^
.....many 4* and 5* players in college washed out without even having one 1000 yard season.
January 26th, 2013 at 9:11 PM ^
January 26th, 2013 at 12:05 AM ^
It is refreshing to see so many 1/2* guys got drafted. I wish you could continue to the defense side and see how that goes.
January 26th, 2013 at 1:08 AM ^
Who could forget Kregg Lumpkin
January 26th, 2013 at 7:15 AM ^
January 26th, 2013 at 7:37 AM ^
Thanks a bunch for this. While you show that there is no guarantee with a blue chip RB recruit, this list also shows that a 5* RB is a pretty valuable commodity. Most of the big-name guys on that list, who really lit it up, were 5*s. It sure would be nice to have one...
January 26th, 2013 at 8:13 AM ^
There are some tragic stories amongst the list of these young men, where things went terribly wrong.
Nick Turner 4 Star from Rivals class of 2002 is missing and feared dead as of 2010
Stevie Hicks 4 Star from Rivals class of 2002, committed suicide by jumping off a bridge in 2008
http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=3624609
Raymond Williams from Rivals class of 2004, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, received probation, violated probation by smoking pot, and was sent to prison for 3 years, sending the young man into heaves of sobbing at the courthouse
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/05/raymond_williams_violates_prob.html
January 26th, 2013 at 8:14 AM ^
January 26th, 2013 at 9:02 AM ^
So of the five 4/5 star backs we've recruited since 2002, NONE of them have been drafted or had a 1000 yard season despite the fact that according to your research 73% of those backs get drafted, and 82% post a 1000 yard season. Crazy.
January 26th, 2013 at 1:01 PM ^
Also, only 25% of 4/5 star backs EVER had a 1,000 yard per the OP, not 82%.
January 26th, 2013 at 1:27 PM ^
Correct. The 82% number; 14/17; refers to backs who had 2 or more 1000 yard seasons AND were drafted into the NFL. Only Tony Temple, Noel Devine and John Clay reached this milestone and did not get drafted.
De'Angelo Williams | 4 Stars | 1st | 3 Memphis |
Jerious Norwood | 5 Stars | 3rd | 2 Miss St. |
LenDale White | 4 Stars | 2nd | 2 USC |
Laurence Maroney | 4 Stars | 1st | 3 Minnesota |
Adrian Peterson | 5 Stars | 1st | 3 Oklahoma |
Marshawn Lynch | 4 Stars | 1st | 2 California |
Tony Temple | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 2 Missouri |
Antonio Pittman | 4 Stars | 4th | 2 Ohio State |
James Davis | 4 Stars | 6th | 2 Clemson |
Demarco Murray | 4 Stars | 3rd | 2 Oklahoma |
Chris Wells | 5 Stars | 1st | 2 Ohio State |
LeSean McCoy | 4 Stars | 2nd | 2 Pitt |
Knowshon Moreno | 4 Stars | 1st | 2 Georgia |
Anthony Dixon | 4 Stars | 6th | 2 Mississippi State |
Noel Devine | 5 Stars | Undrafted | 2 West Virginia |
John Clay | 4 Stars | Undrafted | 2 Wisconsin |
Jonathan Dwyer | 4 Stars | 6th | 2 Georgia Tech |
January 26th, 2013 at 9:23 AM ^
January 26th, 2013 at 3:46 PM ^
January 26th, 2013 at 9:40 AM ^
Couldn"t you have waited to post this until after Green made his announcement. If he doesn"t go Blue it"s all on you for this diary.
/s
January 26th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^
Roy Upchurch, a Rivals 4 Star 2005, from the State of Florida, who played for Alabama, is an example of just how inspiring some of these young men can be.
It started in high school when as a star athlete, he should have been enjoying the limelight and spending his free time dating the cutest girls and partying the way high school kids do. But Roy had a 71-year-old grandmother who needed help, and with all the other family members tied to responsibilities of their own families and children, Roy moved in and took care of his grandmother for the last 18 months of her life, getting up at four each morning to administer her medicines and start her day, then off to school, football practice, and then back to care for his grandmother. It was a lot to put on a 17-year-old kid, but his mother said it was all Roy's idea and he wouldn't take no for an answer, it was what was best for the family.
January 26th, 2013 at 10:36 AM ^
January 26th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^
Great list, thanks for putting it together. Since I assume this is a primer for the Derrick Green announcment, I think it would be beneficial to narrow the focus to backs who were similarly ranked to Green. If you look at Rivals from 2003-2010 and check out the backs who were ranked in the top 10 overall players in the nation, as Green is, you will see that the odds are in favor of Green having a nice, if not excellent, career.
2003 - Reggie Bush
2004 - Adrian Peterson
2005 - Jonathon Stewart
2006 - Beanie Wells
2007 - Joe McKnight
2008 - Darrel Scott
2009 - Bryce Brown, Trent Richardson
2010 - Marcus Lattimore
How do you like them apples?
January 26th, 2013 at 11:44 AM ^
My takeaway is that from 2005 until now, it seems that Rivals is getting more accurate with their high-star ratings. I would imagine their process and better access to internet videos has improved their ratings system. There's a lot of unrated NFL drafted running backs in 2006; not so much in 2012.
January 26th, 2013 at 3:04 PM ^
January 27th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^
There are a lot of names on these lists that I had forgotten about. Nice work!
January 27th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
Thanks for doing this - helps put a rational perspective on things. Unlike some sports like basketball where getting one player can elevate a team from an also-ran to a Elite Eight or even Final Four contender, one highly rated high school RB can only do so much - too many other variables.
This diary (which I hope you'll keep up and possible expand to other positions like OL, DL, DB, QB) demonstrates a few points:
1. One player can only do so much - note that many of the RBs who went on to success in the NFL didn't rack up 3-4 1000 yd/seasons in college. This can be due to many reasons (playing behind a good starter, bad OL, etc) but it also suggests most were probably not starting as freshmen and running for 4 years (unlike Mike Hart).
2. Michigan did try to recruit and did land some highly rated RBs - but for whatever reason, it just didn't pan out. So welcome Derrick Green, but I hope Brady Hoke and Fred Jackson also picked up a few 3 and 4 star backs.
3. ? Any way to detect synergy between OL and RB recruitment? That is, does landing 4 and 5 star RBs help land 4 and 5 star OL and vice versa? Or are they independent variables - neither OL and RB really seem affected by signings in the other group? I realize that this may be tricky to assess?
January 28th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^
Damn you gordie, this was going to be my topic for Hokepoints this week.
January 28th, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^
Sorry. You should have told me. This will be a million ether years away by the end of the week. .
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