Last season, the Trojans did not produce a 1,000-yard rusher and still managed to finish with the 3rd most rushing yards in the Pac-10. The unit has everything a coach could ask for – speed, power, quickness, experience, youthfulness, explosion and perhaps most importantly; confidence. So how will Pete Carroll and Co. manage all of the talent? It won’t be easy, but most coaching staffs would love to have the same problem.

The closest thing the Trojans have to a feature back is senior Stafon Johnson. Johnson led the Trojans in rushing last season with 705 yards and nine touchdowns on 138 carries (5.1 YPC). For his career, he has amassed 1,395 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson also led SC’s punt return unit, fielding 33 punts for 305 yards (9.2 yards per return).

At 5-11 210 pounds, Johnson runs with a balanced mix of speed and power, but it is his vision that separates him from the rest of the crowded SC backfield. He is an intuitive runner who has an exceptional feel for the game. Johnson enters his final year having never rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, but likely would have done so at almost any other program in the country where the carries were easier to come by.

Stafon Johnson refuses to go down

Johnson is an elite inside runner, and has the patience to wear down a defense between the tackles. Combine that with his 4.4 speed, and the Trojans have one of college football’s most versatile runners. The Bellflower (CA) native has been making plays since his days at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles.

His stellar prep career was noticed by every recruiting service. Johnson was a Parade All-American in 2005 and Rivals.com gave him 5-stars and rated him the #2 running back of the 2006 recruiting class. The NFL is already buzzing about Johnson, and a productive senior season would only enhance his draft status. He enters fall camp primed for a big 2009 season.

The Trojans most electrifying athlete outside of safety Taylor Mays might be junior Joe McKnight. The elusive speedster from River Ridge (LA) arrived on the SC campus with incredibly lofty expectations. Many pundits believed he would immediately offset the loss of Reggie Bush, but injury issues have made his transition from high school to college a little tougher. Still, McKnight is one of the Pac-10’s brightest stars, possessing a game breaking skill set that only Jahvid Best can match within the conference.

Last season, McKnight finished second on the team in rushing with 659 yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries (7.4 YPC). His 7.4 yards per carry was the 4th best average in the country. He also caught 21 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown, and spent time returning kicks and punts.

When healthy, McKnight is an all-purpose threat that requires a defensive coordinator to design a game plan just for him. At 6-0 190 pounds, McKnight is not built to carry the ball 25 times a game, but he is the type of difference-maker that must touch the ball in multiple ways. On top of his rushing skills, he is a sure-handed receiver that can be used in the slot or out of the backfield as a pass catcher.

McKnight had a legendary prep career at John Curtis High School (LA). He led his team to a state championship in his senior year, and amassed 1,928 all-purpose yards with an incredible 22.2-yard average per touch during the season. He also won the state title for track in 2006 with a time of 10.4 seconds. The former five-star prospect was the #1 rated tailback of the 2007 class by Rivals.com. McKnight could have a breakout season in 2009, and should touch the ball quite a bit even with all of the other options.

Joe McKnight hurdles defenders

Redshirt junior C.J. Gable may be the forgotten man in this bottomless pit of rushing talent. Last season Gable played very well, running for 617 yards and 8 touchdowns on 107 attempts (5.8 YPC). For his career, the 6-0 200 pound back has run for 1,194 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Gable’s upright running style is a change of pace from McKnight and Johnson, and he uses he lengthy frame to slice through defenses at will. The Sylmar (CA) native is also a very talented kick returner, ranking 11th in school history with 662 yards for his career. Gable is yet another 5-star tailback and Parade-All American. Rivals.com rated him as the #3 athlete of the 2006 recruiting class. His size, strength, and vision compare favorably to Johnson and he enters 2009 as yet another one of the main rushing options for the USC coaches to utilize.

Junior Allen Bradford might be SC’s main short yardage back. At 5-11 235 pounds he is a bruising runner that can torment a defense with his power. After the transfer of former tailback Broderick Green, the role of power back rests with Bradford. Pete Carroll has praised Bradford for his leadership and patient demeanor. The San Bernardino (CA) native ran for 57 yards on only 14 carries with one touchdown.

His 2008 campaign was cut short after he underwent season-ending hip surgery. Bradford was originally recruited as a safety and has also spent time at fullback. While it will still be difficult to get carries, Bradford’s unique skill set may allow him to touch the ball more in 2009.

Rounding out the list of potential ball carriers for the Trojans are sophomore Marc Tyler, and redshirt freshman Curtis McNeal.

The 6-0 225 pound Tyler showed promise in limited action during 2008. He finished fourth on the team in rushing with 198 yards and one touchdown on 36 attempts (5.5 YPC), and caught a TD as well.

Tyler was rated right behind Joe McKnight as the #2 tailback of the 2007 recruiting class when he left Oaks Christian High School (CA). Rivals.com rated him as a 5-star talent and he too was a Parade All-American. He may not play much this year unless injuries mount, but Tyler has a very bright future in L.A.

Those close to the USC program are raving about redshirt freshman Curtis McNeal. The 5-8 190 pound Los Angeles native had a great spring and could develop into something very special one day. He has a rare combination of speed, quickness and vision despite his unconventional size.

Ironically, he was one of SC’s most unheralded recruits with only a 3-star rating from most recruiting services. Nonetheless, he is making it difficult for the coaches to ignore him even as a freshman. Carroll has plenty of talent ahead of McNeal, but don’t be surprised if the Venice (CA) High School standout finds a way to get into the game.

The Trojans will feature arguably the best fullback in the country in junior Stanley Havili. The Salt Lake City (UT) native can do it all as a blocker, receiver, and runner. He enters 2009 with 205 career rushing yards and two TDs, as well as 62 catches for 596 yards and eight TDs. Havili can be a mismatch out of the backfield, but is also an exceptional run blocker who should help pave the way for all six Trojan tailbacks this season. He will start at fullback for the third year in a row.

My Take

The backfield talent at USC is staggering. It’s not easy to manage so many superstars, and yet somehow Pete Carroll makes it work. This season they look deeper than ever. To put it all in perspective: a back like Marc Tyler could start at 95 percent of programs around the country, but he’s okay being 5th string for the Trojans. If you factor in a very good offensive line and a dominant fullback, this potent rushing attack should be scary good.

Expect Johnson and Gable to be the steady providers, with a healthy dose of explosion from Joe McKnight. Bradford may be perfect for third and short, and goal line situations. The other backs are insurance in case of injuries, but we could also see them if Carroll wants to get creative.

The running game should be the strength of the SC offense; what a great luxury to have for a young QB like Aaron Corp.

Head coach Paul Wulff insists on running a no-huddle offense, but last year it was abandoned for a variety of reasons including personnel issues and injuries. Wulff could struggle to implement the offense again for similar reasons this season, so it may not be a bad idea for him to rely on a clock-consuming ground game instead. Washington State will feature up to five solid tailbacks, including an exciting new transfer and a reliable veteran starter looking to close out his career on a high note.

Senior Dwight Tardy enters 2009 atop the depth chart. The 5-10, 208-pound running back has loads of experience, starting in 26 games during his career. Tardy has rushed for 1,824 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on 421 career carries. Last season, he led the Cougars in rushing with 481 yards and three touchdowns.

Dwight Tardy cuts to the endzone

Tardy has struggled with injures throughout his career but appears to be 100% entering his senior season. If he is at full strength, the Cougars will have a supremely powerful runner capable of carrying the ball 30+ times a game. As a sophomore, Tardy ran for a career-high 214 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries against UCLA.

Coach Wulff would welcome that kind of production this fall, and it may be WSU’s most realistic shot at being competitive in 2009. The Walnut (CA) native has never carried the ball more than 145 times in a season, but this could be the year for that total to increase.

While Tardy will start the season as the feature back, he may be pushed for time by an exciting new Cougar tailback that has waited patiently for this opportunity.

Junior James Montgomery spent 2008 earning Scout Team Player of the Year for Washington State. The ultra-talented playmaker transferred from Cal after the 2007 season, and will look to play a key role in Paul Wulff’s offense.

Montgomery is not as experienced as some of the other WSU running backs, but he may be more talented. As a freshman at Cal, he ran for 171 yards on 36 carries (4.8 YPC) and scored two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 48 yards and one touchdown.

The 5-10 202 pound back brings some much-needed explosion to the rushing unit, and he could even supplant Tardy as the starter if he is as good as advertised.

Montgomery earned great acclaim while in high school. The Rancho Cordova (CA) product ran for more than 4,900 yards and 82 touchdowns during his prep career. He was a Parade Magazine All-American selection and was rated as the No. 14 running back of the 2006 recruiting class by Rivals.com.

The 4-star standout has 4.4 speed and looks like the Cougars best hope for a home run threat this season. He enjoyed a productive spring, and will enter fall camp as a solid number two on the depth chart.

Sophomore Logwone Mitz was Washington State’s second leading rusher as a freshman in 2008. The sturdy Mitz ran for 441 yards and three touchdowns on 90 carries while also averaging almost five yards per carry. Mitz’s most memorable moment to date was his tremendous Apple Cup performance against rival Washington.

Logwone Mitz muscles his way in for the score

In that game, the Redmond (WA) native exploded for a 57-yard touchdown run that was WSU’s longest of the season. He ended the day with 70 yards rushing on only seven carries, and helped his Cougars beat the Huskies. At 6-1 224 pounds, Mitz is a big, physical runner who displays surprising speed in the open field. He led the team in rushing during the spring game with 34 yards on six carries.

Senior Chris Ivory* will enter 2009 hoping to play an injury-free final season. He has been a good back for the Cougars, but only in limited action due to nagging injuries that have occurred throughout his time in Pullman. Ivory has rushed for 534 yards and four touchdowns during his career, including 134 yards and one TD last season.

At 6-0 225-pounds, the Longview (TX) native has great size and hits the whole very quickly. If he can stay healthy, Ivory will solidify the Cougars rushing unit. (*Will not play in 2009; Editor’s Note below)

Other backs competing for time are: Junior Marcus Richmond, senior Chantz Staden, and freshman Arthur Burns.

My Take

Sometimes a coach has to adjust to his team’s personnel. Paul Wulff needs to understand that the no-huddle offense that he wants to run would require a very good quarterback and a gifted offensive line. The Cougars just aren’t built for that yet, and I think it would serve them best to hand the ball to these backs as much as possible.

Tardy is a strong tailback, and the film I have seen on Montgomery is pretty exciting. Hopefully the Cal transfer will be used in a variety of ways because he is a big-time talent.

The offense will struggle again in 2009, but the running game should be the biggest bright spot on the Palouse this season.

* 8/11/2009 Editor’s Note: Chris Ivory was dismissed from the program for violating team rules. Story Here.

Super sophomore Jacquizz Rodgers enters 2009 on just about every pre-season award list imaginable. The Richmond (TX) native is a Doak Walker Award candidate, a pre-season All-American, and he’s being mentioned on most pre-season Heisman watch lists.

The highly entertaining Rodgers is coming off of a fantastic freshman season where he ran for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns despite not playing a full season. He averaged 113.9 rushing yards per game, finishing second in the Pac-10 and 12th nationally.

He also caught 29 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. Rodgers became the Pac-10’s all-time leading rusher among freshmen, as well as becoming the first freshman in conference history to win the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year Award. Almost every major publication in the country named Rodgers a Freshman All-American at the end of the season. He was a third team All-American selection by the Associated Press and Rivals.com.

'Quizz Rodgers stuns the USC Trojans

A strong argument could be made that ‘Quizz Rodgers was the biggest impact freshman in Oregon State history. The rest of his career may determine the validity of that claim, but he has certainly given Beavers fans a lot to be excited about. Last season, Rodgers ran for 100 yards in 8 games before injuring his shoulder against Arizona.

His compact 5-7 frame allows him to hide behind the offensive line and then explode through tiny creases before the defense can react. He can pivot on a dime, and changes direction as quickly as any tailback in college football. ‘Quizz also has great vision, and can read his blocks extremely well. Most importantly, he is a true gamer that can carry the ball 30+ times a game despite his size.

It should surprise no one that Jacquizz Rodgers has become an elite college running back. His height may have affected the way some schools recruited him, but ‘Quizz is a bonafide high school football legend. His numbers at Lamar Consolidated High School (TX) are flat-out incredible.

Rodgers rushed for 8,245 yards during his prep career, which is the 6th highest total in Texas state history. He broke the state record with an astonishing 136 touchdowns in his career, and now stands alone in the tradition-rich history of Texas high school football. These statistics helped land Rodgers the nickname of “Mr. Touchdown”.

Jacquizz Rodgers chose the perfect time to explode onto the national stage last season, and it happened on a Thursday night at Reser Stadium against #1 USC.

Rodgers carried the ball 37 times for 186 yards against the Trojans vaunted defense. The rest of the Beavers combined to rush for -10 yards on eight carries. USC would finish the 2008 season as the #1 rated defense in the country for total yards and points allowed, as well as the #4 defense for rushing yards allowed. But none of it mattered that Thursday, as Rodgers darted past the likes of Maualuga, Cushing, Matthews and Mays.

His longest run of the game was only 15 yards, but he did most of the damage by breaking numerous tackles with shiftiness and incredible lower body strength. The game was a triumph for the Beavers and it introduced the nation to a new college football star.

‘Quizz carried the ball 259 times last season, and he might have to log even more carries in 2009. The Beavers are relatively thin at running back, especially after would-be senior Jeremy Francis left the team.

Sophomore Ryan McCants enters 2009 as the main backup to Rodgers. One year ago, it looked as if things would be the other way around with McCants garnering much of the preseason attention. Mike Riley named McCants the starter heading into 2008, and some close to the OSU program even compared him to former Beaver Steven Jackson.

Ryan McCants prepares for contact

At 6-1 230 pounds, McCants will provide Oregon State with a bigger, downhill back. The Corona (CA) native started three games in 2008, rushing for 337 yards and two touchdowns on 85 attempts (4.0 YPC). On April 17, McCants injured his knee severely enough that it requires surgery. If all goes well, he should still be available for the season.

Freshman Jovan Stevenson may be the main backup option if McCants does not recover from his injury. The 5-11 184 pound back out of Tucson (AZ) made a great impression on Mike Riley and Co. and appears ready to contribute right away.

Stevenson carried the ball six times and led the Beavers with 40 yards rushing in the spring game. He also showcased his reliable hands, catching fou balls for 31 yards. At Sunnyside High School (AZ) he was a two-time All-State performer, running for 1,470 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior.

Other backs competing for time are: redshirt freshmen Clayton York and Jordan Jenkins, true freshman Ashton Jefferson, and sophomore Josh Parish.

My Take

I wonder if any Big 12 schools are kicking themselves right now for not offering ‘Quizz a scholarship. For all the great runners to come out of Texas high school football (LaDainian Tomlinson, Cedric Benson, Earl Campbell, etc), Jacquizz Rodgers has more touchdowns than any of them. He reminds me a little bit of Maurice Jones-Drew because of his deceptive lower body strength. He runs with a lot more power than people give him credit for.

Rodgers is going to have to carry the load this year, because McCants’ condition is still unclear and no one really knows what to expect from the other backs. Hopefully, we see a fully healthy ‘Quizz for the whole season because it would be interesting to see the type of numbers he could put up with 300+ carries.

The Pac-10 will feature some of America’s most talented tailbacks this fall. In a conference full of stars, Cal may have the Best one of all.

Junior sensation Jahvid Best enters the 2009 season as a legitimate Heisman candidate. The electrifying Best ran for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns during a breakout sophomore campaign. He led the Pac-10 in rushing yards and finished 3rd nationally last season. His 1,580 yards are the second most in school history for a single season.

Jahvid Best leaves defenders feeling helpless

Best carried the ball 194 times and still managed a stunning 8.1 yards per carry, which was the best rushing average of any tailback in America with at least 125 carries. He also managed to catch the ball 27 times for 246 yards and one TD (9.1 yards per catch). Best finished second nationally in all-purpose yards, averaging 187.25 yards per game. His 2,247 total yards are a school record. On top of all that, he finished 1st in the conference in kickoff return yards, with 26.3 yards per return.

Best may have started his 2009 Heisman campaign at the end of 2008. He closed out last season with three Herculean efforts. First, he ran for 201 yards and two touchdowns against Stanford in the Big Game (he also caught a TD). Next, he ran for a staggering 311 yards and four TD’s against Washington. Best carried the ball 19 times against the Huskies, averaging a remarkable 16.4 yards per carry. In the Emerald Bowl finale against Miami, he ran for a bowl record 186 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. His statistical totals from the three games almost seem unrealistic for a video game, adding up to nearly 45% of his total yards last season.

At 5-10 194 pounds, Best possesses an extremely rare combination of speed, agility and vision. He has game-changing ability, and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The Vallejo (CA) native has always produced eye-popping numbers on and off the gridiron. At Salesian High School (CA) he ran for 6,428 career yards and scored 91 touchdowns. He also won a Junior Olympics Gold Medal in the 200 meters and won the 2007 California State Championship in the 100 meters with a time of 10.31 seconds.

Durability is a concern for Best, and he has been limited by injuries in each of the last two seasons. He missed most of the spring with off-season elbow and foot surgery. Still, Best enters 2009 as the marquee player in the Pac-10 conference. If he can stay on the field for 200+ carries, his name will be involved in Heisman discussions all year long.

It has become a tradition at Cal for each star running back to emerge as a backup first. In 2004, Marshawn Lynch ran for 628 yards as a backup while J.J. Arrington was running for over 2,000 as the starter. The next season, Justin Forsett ran for 999 yards while Lynch ran for 1,246 as the starter. Jahvid Best was Forsett’s understudy in 2007.

Last season, Cal fans were introduced to the next great running back to come through Berkeley. Sophomore Shane Vereen ran for 715 yards and four touchdowns in 2008 as the Bears primary backup. The 5-10 198 pound tailback played extremely well as a freshman, even in the shadows of Best. Vereen averaged 5.0 yards per carry and finished tied for second on the team with 27 receptions.

The Valencia (CA) native burst onto the scene in the season opener against Michigan State, with 101 yards rushing on only 9 carries. In that game, Vereen flashed his explosive speed with an 81-yard touchdown that ignited Memorial Stadium and helped secure the win. Vereen showed off his multitude of talents throughout the rest of the season, including hauling in a 59-yard touchdown pass against rival Stanford.

Vereen came out of Valencia High School (CA) as a highly rated recruit. His skill set is similar to Best, a deadly combination of speed and vision. Vereen was given four-stars by Rivals.com and was a Prep-star All-American choice. He amassed over 6,000 yards rushing in his high school career with 89 touchdowns. Vereen enters 2009 as Best’s number one partner in the backfield.

The power running may come from redshirt freshman RB Covaughn DeBoskie. The 5-11 205 pound back out of Chandler, AZ was a four-star recruit in 2008, and played on the scout team last season. The former super-prep All-American is not likely to get many carries, but he could be a huge value in short yardage and goal line situations.

The first-year starter at fullback will be 5-9 235 pound senior Brian Holley. The Pomona (CA) native has been excellent on special teams and has all the tools to be a perfect run blocker for Best and Co.

Other backs competing for time are: true freshman Dasarte Yarnway, redshirt freshman Langston Jackson, and redshirt freshman Kevin Lewis.

My Take

I’m not going to claim that Cal is Running Back University, but how can you not be impressed by the production over the last 7 years? Best has a chance to surpass them all, and the table is set for a special season as long as he can stay healthy. If you live in the Bay Area and haven’t seen him play in person, do yourself a favor and find a place at the top of Strawberry Canyon this fall.

Shane Vereen looks like the next in line for Jeff Tedford’s great tailbacks and I look for him to have another solid year. If DeBoskie emerges as the thunder to all that lightning, there will be no way to stop this rushing attack. One thing is for sure; it’s an exciting time to be a Bears fan.

The off-season started with some bad news in Seattle. Sophomore Terrance Dailey led UW with 338 rushing yards last season, but after shoulder surgery in January he is no longer with the program.

The best news for Washington’s running game is that QB Jake Locker returns. Locker could conceivably lead the team in rushing yards this season, and if he can stay healthy, his presence should keep the ground game from a repeat of 2008’s miserable performance.

Washington’s feature back could be redshirt freshman Chris Polk. Polk was the starting running back for the first two games of 2008 before injuries forced him to miss the remainder of the season. Although Polk played as a true freshman, his injuries allowed him to qualify for a medical redshirt.

Chris Polk with the stiff arm

Polk’s limited play last season was less than stellar. He carried the ball 20 times for 33 yards (1.7 yards per carry) and was never able to show UW coaches the promising ability that he displayed in spring ball of 2008.

At 5-11 204 pounds, Polk is a versatile athlete capable of running with power inside the tackles, or bouncing outside with speed and quickness. He is also a great receiver, and the coaching staff at Washington may use him in the slot this season. Sarkisian could utilize Polk the way Reggie Bush was used at USC. The Redlands (Ca) native was rated the #4 ranked all-purpose back in the nation while at East Valley High School. Rivals.com and Scout.com gave him a 4 star rating and he averaged a spectacular 10.9 yards per carry during his senior year.

Polk showcased his running skills in Washington’s spring game earlier this year. He ran for 95 yards and one TD on 12 carries. In a crowded group of Husky runners, Polk has all the talent to emerge as top Dawg.

The leading UW rusher that returns this fall is sophomore Willie Griffin. Griffin played in eight games last season, carrying the ball 63 times for 219 yards (3.5 YPC) and one touchdown. The 5-8, 187-pound tailback out of Oakland (Ca) is not as dynamic as Polk, but he is a stable presence that can move the chains with solid inside running.

Other than Jake Locker, Griffin is the only Husky that has rushed for 100 yards in a game. He did it in the Apple Cup against Washington State, rushing for 112 yards and one TD on 26 carries. Griffin enjoyed an excellent spring, and should see a lot of playing time this fall.

Willie Griffin fighting for extra yards

Junior Brandon Johnson* played in 9 of 12 games during 2008. The 5-9 207-pound back has 390 career rushing yards and five touchdowns. Last season, he carried the ball 76 times for 194 yards and three touchdowns. The Hawthorne (Ca) native does not possess breakaway speed or bruising power, but he is an experienced ball carrier who can also return kicks. He will need to improve on his 2.6 yard per carry average from 2008 if he wants to get consistent touches this year. (*Will not play in 2009; Editor’s Note below)

UW coaches are very excited about freshman Demetrius Bronson. Bronson was originally part of the 2008 recruiting class, but he did not qualify academically. The 5-10 215 pound runner out of Kentwood High School (WA) had an excellent spring, and will look to carry the momentum into fall practice. Bronson is a powerful runner that has the potential to move the chains consistently.

Sophomore David Freeman* is also in the mix at running back this season. The 5-7 191 pound back out of Inglewood (Ca) started two games in 2008 (Oklahoma, Stanford). He finished last season with 152 yards on 27 carries. Freeman has fought through multiple injuries over the last year, but he will be available this fall. He runs with great quickness, and has good straight-line speed. If Freeman can stay healthy for all of 2009, he may develop into a quality tailback. (*Will not play in 2009; Editor’s Note below)

Washington running backs will be greatly aided by one of the Pac-10’s best fullbacks. Senior Paul Homer played in all 12 games last season, and is an excellent lead-blocker. He is an underrated athlete as well, possessing deceptive speed and agility. Homer will be a nice ball-carrying option in short yardage and goal line situations. Coach Sarkisian developed a reputation at USC for using fullbacks in the passing game, and Homer is an ideal fullback for Sark’s pro-style offense.

Other tailbacks competing for playing time include: sophomores Brandon Yakaboski and Curtis Shaw.

My Take

I think Polk has the potential to be a very good tailback, but he has to stay healthy. The best-case scenario is that Polk develops into a workhorse and a number two runner emerges. If that doesn’t happen, it could be another year where 10+ guys end up getting a carry.

I am interested to see how the return of Jake Locker affects this young core of running backs. Former Husky Louis Rankin made it work just fine, rushing for over 1,000 yards while sharing the ball with Locker. If Polk can do the same, 2009 could be a solid year for the U-Dub rushing attack.

With a new offensive system and a deep group of backs, I do not foresee the Huskies ranking 106th in rushing this season.

* 6/7/2009 Editor’s Note: David Freeman and Brandon Johnson will not play due to academic ineligibility; Story here.

The incumbent at running back is senior Dimitri Nance. Nance led all ASU halfbacks in 2008 with 410 yards and three touchdowns. He split carries with Keegan Herring (graduated) last season in Tempe, and enters 2009 with 1,139 yards and 13 touchdowns for his career. At 5-10 218-pounds, Nance is always moving forward, and runs with a compact style. He is also a reliable pass-catcher, with 35 receptions for 247 yards in his career. The Euless, Texas native should be an asset in short yardage and goal line situations.

Although Nance can be a solid inside-runner, he lacks explosion and has never run for 100 yards in a game. Last season Nance ran into fumbling trouble in multiple games, and his playing time could be reduced this fall if the problem persists.

Dimitri Nance braces for impact

If you are looking for a potential superstar among the Sun Devil tailbacks, look no further than true sophomore Ryan Bass. Bass is one of the most decorated high-school runningbacks ever to sign with ASU. The 5-10 205-pound playmaker saw very limited action in 2008, rushing for 120 yards on only 26 carries.

This spring, Bass may have foreshadowed what is to come in the fall. He scored the only touchdown of ASU’s Maroon and Gold spring game; an impressive 35-yard scamper that gave the Tempe faithful a chance to see his speed and quickness. Bass attended football powerhouse Corona-Centennial High School (CA) where he rushed for a superhuman 7,096 yards with 117 touchdowns during his career. Rivals.com rated him as the number two all-purpose back in the class of 2008 and gave him 4-stars. He was also a Parade and Prep-Star All-American.

Bass could be a perfect fit for Dennis Erickson’s newly installed zone-read offense. He ran the same type of offense at Corona-Centennial, and it is designed to take advantage of his electrifying skills in space. Bass can score from anywhere on the field, and has enough bulk to carry the ball 25 times a game. He only lacks experience, and 2009 will be his chance to get plenty of it.

Senior Shaun DeWitty is ASU’s biggest tailback. At 6-2 210-pounds, DeWitty possesses a unique skill-set as both a ball carrier and receiver. He is by far the best blocking back on the team, but is also valuable on screen and draw plays.

Shaun Dewitty cuts upfield

DeWitty has 91 career carries for 402 yards (4.4 avg). He also has 18 career receptions for 184 yards and two TD’s. Last season, the Colorado Springs (CO) product ran for 270 yards on 62 attempts. DeWitty has some academic issues to get in order, but could be a valuable back for the Sun Devils next season.

The x-factor back for Arizona State is redshirt freshman James Morrison. At 5-11, 219-pounds, Morrison was a walk-on last year. Since arriving on campus, the Phoenix St. Mary’s High School (AZ) product has surprised everyone with his power running and lateral quickness. Some believe he can recreate the same physical, downhill running style that Ryan Torain brought to the Devils. Like Bass, Morrison lacks experience but has incredible upside. He has missed some time with a broken ankle, but should be ready for the season.

Other backs that could see time this season are senior Jarrell Woods, sophomore Avory Battle and true freshmen Jamal Miles and Cameron Marshall.

My Take

Arizona State may have to pass to set up the run this year. With the offensive line still a huge question mark, I think a few completed deep balls by QB Danny Sullivan may open up running lanes. If space does open up, this unit of tailbacks could be very good. Nance and DeWitty will start the year on top of the depth chart, but both need to be better than they were last year.

Bass has all the talent to be a star next year if Erickson takes advantage of his zone-read capabilities. I remember watching Bass at Corona-Centennial, and the guy can flat-out fly. If some of the other big-bodied backs can loosen the defense up, Bass may be the difference-maker for the entire ASU offense. I also think James Morrison could be the perfect compliment to Bass by the second half of the season. Morrison will have to prove himself in real game situations, but the coaches believe a lot in his ability.

The off-season started with some tough losses for the Bruins running game. Last year’s leading rusher Kahlil Bell is gone. Bell finished his four-year Bruin career with over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Next, talented sophomore Aundre Dean announced that he was transferring to TCU. Not long afterwards, Raymond Carter, another highly regarded runner, announced that he was headed to Colorado State. Both Dean and Carter were four-star talents that coach Neuheisel expected to use as feature backs one day. Losing both of them was a big blow for a unit desperate for explosive talent.

Now, it’s up to a group of relatively unproven tailbacks to revive the UCLA ground game.

Christian Ramirez takes the handoff

If there is a headliner to be found in this group, then redshirt junior Christian Ramirez is probably it. The 6-2 220 pound athlete missed the 2008 season due to academic ineligibility. Ramirez began his career as a safety before switching to tailback in 2007. He debuted as a running back against Stanford and wasted no time impressing the coaches, rushing for 55 yards on 5 carries, including a 24-yard scramble. For his career, Ramirez has run for 104 yards on 19 carries and has one career touchdown.

The El Centro California native might not have much experience, but his upside is exciting. While at Imperial High School (CA), Ramirez set a single-season school rushing record with 1,558 yards and 23 touchdowns. That season, he had a game in which he rushed for 304 yards and five touchdowns, another school record.

Ramirez runs with a slashing style and possesses a nice combination of size and speed. Norm Chow’s 1-back set should allow for Ramirez to flourish, but only if the offensive line can open up some running lanes. Unfortunately, Ramirez missed most of spring with a hamstring problem. If he can return to full speed this fall, UCLA may have their feature back.

The most experienced back on the roster is senior Chane Moline. The 6-1, 244 pound veteran is a versatile hybrid-back who could spend time at both running back and fullback this season. Moline’s natural position is fullback, which is where he will start the year for UCLA.

The San Juan Capistrano, CA native is a sure-handed receiver and will allow Norm Chow to exploit mismatches out of the backfield. Moline is also valuable in goal line situations, where he can create his own push even when the Bruins offensive line cannot. Moline has carried the ball 118 times for 446 yards and 6 TD’s. He also has 20 career receptions for 158 yards and one TD.

Chane Moline trucks forward

The leading rusher among backs returning to Westwood this fall is sophomore Derrick Coleman. As a freshman last season, Coleman ran for a respectable 291 yards and two TD’s on only 53 carries (5.4 yards per carry).

At 6-0 231 pounds, Coleman has tremendous size and strength, while displaying deceptive speed. Like Moline, he is great in short yardage situations and figures to see a lot of carries on 3rd down. Coleman flashed his potential against Fresno State last year, running for a team-high 86 yards on 10 carries. Coleman will start the 2009 season right behind Ramirez on the RB depth chart.

The speed element of UCLA’s running attack could be provided by redshirt freshman Jonathan Franklin. The 5-10 200 pound sprinter is also a track star and will give Norm Chow a potential home-run threat.  Franklin impressed coaches during his redshirt year, earning co-MVP honors on the scout team.

He is a skilled receiver out of the backfield as well, giving the UCLA offense another mismatch capability. Rivals.com rated him as the 16th best athlete of the 2008 class, and gave him four-stars. The Dorsey High (Los Angeles, CA) standout is a strong pass-blocker as well.

The sleeper of the unit is 5-8 200-pound redshirt freshman Milton Knox. Knox’s size and running style remind some around Westwood of former Bruin Maurice Jones-Drew. He is a compact athlete, and possesses incredible lower-body strength. He shared the co-MVP scout team honor with Franklin.

Knox was rated as the 12th running back nationally and given four-stars by Rivals.com. He ran for 2,210 yards and 39 TD’s as a senior at Birmingham High School (CA). The Pacoima, CA native could be the X-factor for the Bruins running attack if he continues to progress.

Other backs that could see time in 2009 include: redshirt senior RB Craig Sheppard, redshirt senior fullback Trevor Theriot, true freshman Damien Thigpen, and true freshman Dalton Hilliard.

My Take

There is talent in this group, but it may not surface because of the offensive line’s woes. If the line proves to be servicable, UCLA could be the surprise rushing team of the conference this season. Ramirez is still a bit of an enigma, so I think it will take a few games to really see what he can do.

I love Franklin and Knox for the future, and I think they are good enough to make up for the losses of Dean and Carter. Moline is a very versatile talent that could be all-conference now that he’s back at fullback. The bottom line; this unit has what it takes, but the o-line has to do it’s part. An improvement in the passing game that keeps defenses honest wouldn’t hurt, either.

Senior Toby Gerhart will look to build on a phenomenal junior season. The 6-1 237 pound tailback finished third in the Pac-10 with 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2008. The 1,136 yards gave Gerhart a single-season rushing record at Stanford, while his 15 scores are second in school history for a single-season. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and totaled eight 100-yard games, more than any other running back in the Pac-10 last season. Gerhart earned 2nd team all-conference honors in 2008.

Toby Gerhart sheds the tackle

Cardinal fans felt a bit anxious as the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft approached. There was a chance that Gerhart would be taken high enough to warrant a decent signing bonus. Instead, the Cardinal outfielder went undrafted and can turn his full focus back to football.

The bruising Gerhart runs with relentless aggression. He rarely moves horizontally, preferring to plow through the opposition vertically instead. Defenses have a very difficult time bringing him down with one man, and Gerhart feasts on yards after contact. While his style is clearly effective, it also makes him conducive to injuries.

In 2007, Gerhart missed most of his sophomore campaign because of a knee injury suffered against San Jose State. For Stanford to have success in 2009, Gerhart must stay healthy.

One player that could help keep Gerhart healthy and clear his path is fullback Owen Marecic. The 6-1 237 pound junior is one of America’s best run-blocking fullbacks. His position is a dying breed in college football, but Stanford’s combination of Gerhart and Marecic brings us back to the days when the power-I formation dominated the playbook. Marecic will essentially act as an extra-offensive lineman for Gerhart and the other Cardinal tailbacks to run behind.

Last season, Gerhart’s rushing partner was Anthony Kimble. Kimble graduated in 2008, and his production must be replaced. Kimble rushed for 717 yards and 6 touchdowns in his ‘08 campaign. There are a few candidates on the Stanford roster that will vie for the role of Toby Gerhart’s sidekick in 2009.

Junior Jeremy Stewart heads into fall camp second on the depth chart. The 6-0 210 pound Louisiana native has a fair amount of experience. Stewart has 440 yards and two TDs in his career with the Cardinal. Last season, he carried the ball 14 times for 76 yards. He is a big running back that runs in between the tackles. His skill set mirrors Gerhart’s in many ways.

Jeremy Stewart makes his move towards the hole

Fifth-year senior Blaise Johnson is currently listed third on the depth chart behind Gerhart and Stewart. Johnson has played special teams for most of his career and it is unclear how much playing time he will see this season. He had a nice spring, including catching a touchdown in the Cardinal and White game. With a talented group of true freshman runners arriving in the fall, Johnson’s spot on the depth chart is not guaranteed.

One of those talented true freshmen is Tyler Gaffney. The San Diego native rushed for an eye-popping 5,547 yards and 99 TD’s during his high school career at Cathedral Catholic HS. Many recruiting services rated him as the #1 fullback in the nation but he will play tailback for the Cardinal.

He was evaluated as a 4-star prospect by almost all major recruiting services. He possesses 4.4 speed and may provide the running game with an extra dimension next season.

Another highly regarded freshman that could have an impact in 2009 is Stepfan Taylor. The 5-11 205 pound Mansfield, Texas native ran for 2,463 yards and 33 TD’s as a senior in high school, breaking the school record for a single-season. Both Rivals.com and Scout.com gave him a 4-star rating. Taylor had offers from schools all over the country, and he may avoid a redshirt in 2009.

Other backs that will provide depth are true freshman Usua Amanam, and sophomore Alex Debniak. Debniak is an intriguing talent who could play on both sides of the ball. He had a very impressive showing in the spring game, rushing for 91 yards on only 4 carries.

My Take

I think John Elway would agree with me when I say that Toby Gerhart deserves to wear No.7 for the Cardinal. He is the consummate football player, exhibiting every quality that Jim Harbaugh looks for in a Stanford athlete. If he can stay healthy, I expect him to be near the top of the conference in rushing yards again.

Next to USC’s Stanley Havili, Owen Marecic is the best fullback in the conference (and arguably among the best in the country). I also love the true freshmen that Harbaugh has coming in. Gaffney’s high school numbers are mind-boggling, and it will be interesting to see if he gets a look this fall. If a change of pace back emerges to compliment Gerhart’s power running, look for Stanford to have a huge year on the ground.

Is it possible for a tailback to rush for a “quiet” 1,153 yards and 13 touchdowns? Junior Nic Grigsby did just that in 2008. While other Pac-10 runners got all the accolades, the nimble Grigsby finished last season as the conference’s 4th leading rusher. His 1,153 yards place him 9th in school history for yards in a season. His 13 rushing touchdowns are 3rd in school history for a single-season. The 5-10, 190 pound speedster averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2008 and scored at least one TD in 10 of his 13 games played.

Nic Grigsby celebrates a trip to the endzone

Grigsby suffered from fumbling issues at times last season but he showed improvement towards the end of 2008. He has tremendous vision and the ability to hit the hole with great acceleration. Grigsby seems to be at full speed right when he receives the handoff. He is an undersized back, but can be very effective as long as he isn’t asked to carry the ball 25+ times a game. Grigsby will enter fall as the number one tailback.

Joining Grigsby in the Wildcats backfield is sensational sophomore Keola Antolin. The 5-8 186 pound Las Vegas native will look to build on a tremendous freshman campaign. Last season, Antolin rushed for 525 yards and 10 scores in a backup role. His 10 TD’s are a school-record for a freshman tailback in a single-season.

Antolin’s breakout performance may never have happened if not for Grigsby’s fumbling problems. After Grigsby was pulled against Cal, Antolin electrified the Wildcat faithful with 149 yards rushing and 3 TD’s. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry that day, and Arizona won the game easily. From that point on, Grigsby and Antolin shared carries.

Against Oregon, Antolin tied a school record with 4 rushing TD’s in a game. He was named Pac-10 Player of the Week twice in 2008. Antolin also returned kicks, averaging 21.5 yards per return and may factor into special teams again this season.

Like Grigsby, Antolin is undersized, but he uses his compact build to hide between his offensive-line before darting through an opening. He is a shifty runner that has multiple gears. He is more quick than fast, but is still a threat to score at any time. The combination of Grigsby and Antolin proved to be successful last season, and should be again in 2009.

The Wildcats talent at running back does not end with Grigsby and Antolin. The coaching staff is excited about one back in particular who could bring an element to the running game that Sonny Dykes offense has been missing. Redshirt freshman Greg Nwoko is a big, physical bruiser that fits goal-line situations perfectly.

At 6-2 220 pounds, he gives Arizona a power running game that is otherwise unachievable. Grigsby and Antolin are limited in short yardage situations. With Nwoko in the mix, Arizona has a back for every down and distance. The Pflugerville, Texas native looked very impressive in spring drills and will have an opportunity to make a big impact for Mike Stoops’ club in 2009.

One other name to watch for is true freshman RB Daniel Jenkins. Jenkins was one of the Wildcats best recruits for 2009 and may be the fastest running back on the team. At 5-9, 175, he is cut out of the Grigsby mold, and possesses excellent open-field skills. The Rancho Verde, CA product was rated as a 4 star all-purpose back by Rivals.com. He may get a look as a return man as well.

Other running backs that will provide depth in 2009 are true freshman Kylan Butler and senior Nick Booth.

My Take

Running back is a big strength for the Arizona offense in 2009. Sonny Dykes may want to throw it more when a quarterback emerges, but for now, the Wildcats have a couple of stud runners that deserve the ball. With the offensive line in pretty good shape, Grigsby and Antolin should match last year’s production.

Im looking for Nwoko to be used a lot in short distance situations. In the past, TE Rob Gronkowski had to come up with tons of 3rd down catches to keep drives alive. Now, Nwoko gives the ‘Cats a chance to convert 3rd downs on the ground.

Overall, look for the Wildcats backfield to be one of the most productive units in the conference.

Chip Kelly’s spread-offense produced two 1,000-yard rushers last season, only the second time in school history that it has happened. Throw in QB Jeremiah Masoli’s 718 yards on the ground, and it isn’t hard to see why the Ducks scored over 40 points a game in 2008.

But one of those 1,000-yard rushers is gone. RB Jeremiah Johnson graduated last season, finishing his fine career at Oregon with 2,336 yards and 30 TD’s. Can we really expect the Ducks to match last year’s productivity with the loss of their leading rusher? It won’t be easy, but a 240-pound bulldozer could pave the way for Oregon in 2009.

Ask Pac-10 defenses about senior RB LeGarrette Blount and you might see a few cringing faces. Better yet, ask Oklahoma State, who wanted no part of the 6-2 240 pound bruiser in last year’s Holiday Bowl.

He only carried the ball 137 times last season in an offense designed to spread the wealth, but he still made a huge impact. Blount rushed for 1,002 yards and a single-season school record 17 touchdowns. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry last year, obliterating the school record for 1,000-yard runners. The craziest part of all – 2008 was his first year at Oregon. The Junior College transfer only had two years of eligibility remaining when he left East Mississippi Community College in 2007.

Blount was suspended earlier this year for missing multiple team meetings, but it appears to be a thing of the past. He was also hampered by a minor foot injury during the spring, but it looks to be nothing that will keep him out of fall practice.

Blount possesses a devastating blend of size and speed. He burst onto the national scene in a non-conference game against Purdue. His 131 yards and 2 TD’s helped Oregon survive the upset-minded Boilermakers. In the game, Blount averaged a ridiculous 11.9 yards per carry and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

Despite his fullback physique and pounding running style, Blount proved he could be a home run threat too. In 2008, he had runs of 72, 69, 46, and 40 yards. The former Rivals.com 4-star standout is primed for a big 2009. If Chip Kelly gives Blount 200 or more carries next season, look out.

We know who the Ducks feature back will be this fall, but Blount is by no means their only rushing threat.

Senior Andre Crenshaw has been in Chip Kelly’s system for a while now. The reliable Crenshaw has accumulated 551 yards and five TD’s in his career. At 5-11 196, Crenshaw is a nice compliment to Blount and a good return man as well. In 2007, Crenshaw ran for 415 yards and four TD’s. He was the team’s 3rd leading rusher in addition to returning kicks and playing some on special teams. He was used sparingly in 2008 because of the depth in front of him, but still averaged over five yards a carry with 121 yards and one TD on the year.

Junior Remene Alston Jr. will also see action in 2009. The 5-8 200 pound back from Greensboro, NC ran for 161 yards and one TD last year, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. He had a 43-yard scamper against Washington State that gave the Oregon coaching staff a chance to see his speed. Alston Jr.’s season was cut short on Oct. 20th because of a broken foot suffered during practice. Chip Kelly’s system allows for multiple backs to get carries, and a healthy Alston Jr. will look to capitalize on his chances in 2009.

The most exciting back on the roster besides Blount is redshirt freshman LaMichael James. The 5-9 180 pound speedster has a perfect skill set to offset the loss of Jeremiah Johnson. He is supremely skilled in the open field and possesses excellent quickness. He could also develop into a great receiver out of the backfield, something missing from this group of backs.

James spent last year on the scout team and will need experience, but his upside is undeniable. The Texas native was rated as a 4-star athlete by most recruiting services, running for over 2,000 yards and 26 TD’s in his senior year of high school. The former track star has been clocked at 10.51 in the 100 meters.

My Take

Having both LeGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Masoli in the shotgun at once is scary. Kelly’s offense is designed to spread the field and create one-on-one match-ups. I can’t imagine any defense stopping either Masoli or Blount with just one man. If Oregon can stabilize the offensive line, this rushing attack could be just as good as last year’s.

I am very high on LaMichael James. Crenshaw and Alston Jr. may get the carries at the start of the year, but James is too good to hold back for long. Overall, expect more rushing fireworks in Eugene this fall.