Through his first two games as a senior, James Davis a four year regular for the Clemson Tigers, has not looked liked the same back I saw an underclassmen. He is a rocked up looking individual with speed, quickness, balance and some run skills, but I felt he was a totally ineffective blocker (run or pass) and I was disappointed in his vision inside and overall run instincts (tunnel vision). In reality, he isn’t even close to being Clemson’s top player at the position.
Antone Smith of Florida State is a little guy who has yet to come close to what was expected of him as one of the top prep backs in the country. He has good instincts and well might be the quickest starter I have ever seen at this level. If he can stay healthy over the long haul, he’s has got a chance of becoming an effective third down and special situation back at the professional level.
Bernard Scott absolutely tore it up in his first season at Abilene Christian and is considered the best back produced at the school since the great Wilbert Montgomery ran over, under, around and through Lone Star Conference opponents. I liked his run vision, instincts and short area quickness, but I didn’t see the type of speed I had originally expected.
Keep your eye on Tennessee's Arian Foster, a tough between the tackles runner, Michigan States’ Javon Ringer, an excellent all purpose back and Corey Lewis of No Iowa. He runs hard inside and I liked the way he finished his runs. UNLV's Frank Summers is a tough ball control back, who can move the pile inside, but I didn’t think I saw the type of speed to consistently get the corner.
Yale' Mike McLeod is without question the class of the Ivy League. He is a workhorse, plant and go type runner who consistently moves the chains. Again, long speed or lack of it is the major concern with this player. Branden Ore looked like a sure thing as a sophomore, but the Virginia Tech staff got tired of his off the field antics and sent him packing at the conclusion of his junior season. He has a lot of physical talent, but he has a great deal to prove both on and off the field. Keegan Herring, an Arizona State product is a former sprint champion, who split time in 08, has a real chance to develop into a very solid professional.
| Grade |
Last |
First |
School |
2007 Stats
Att - Yds - Avg - TD |
| B |
Johnson |
Ian |
Boise St |
207-1041-5.0-16 |
| B |
Davis |
James |
Clemson U |
214-1064-5.0-10 |
| B |
Ringer |
Javon |
Michigan St |
245-1447-5.9-6 |
| B |
Lucky |
Marlon |
Nebraska U |
206-1019-4.9-9 |
| B |
Foster |
Arian |
Tennessee U |
245-1193-4.9-12 |
| C |
Scott |
Bernard |
Abilene Christian |
251-2165-8.6-35 |
| C |
Herring |
Keegan |
Arizona St |
154-815-5.3-5 |
| C |
Lester |
Brad |
Auburn U |
125-530-4.2-3 |
| C |
Smith |
Antone |
Florida St |
191-817-4.3-3 |
| C |
Moore |
Kestahn |
Florida U |
104-580-5.6-6 |
| C |
Jennings |
Rashad |
Liberty U |
191-1113-5.8-15; |
| C |
Fenroy |
Tyrell |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
180-1021-5.7-7 |
| C |
Ferguson |
Rodney |
New Mexico U |
292-1177-4.0-13 |
| C |
Brown |
Andre |
No Carolina St |
95-447-4.7-5 |
| C |
Lewis |
Corey |
Northern Iowa U |
258-1513-5.9-16 |
| C |
Sutton |
Tyrell |
Northwestern U |
108-522-4.8-4 |
| C |
Johnson |
Jeremiah |
Oregon U |
54-344-6.4-5 |
| C |
Sheets |
Kory |
Purdue U |
168-859-5.1-11 |
| C |
Williams |
Javarris |
Tennessee St |
195-1187-6.1-12 |
| C |
Brown |
Aaron |
Texas Christian U |
106-490-4.6-2; |
| C |
Adams |
Tarrion |
Tulsa U |
219-1271-5.6-8 |
| C |
Summers |
Frank |
UNLV |
202-928-4.6-6; |
| C |
Ore |
Branden |
West Liberty St |
267-992-3.7-9 |
| C |
Donaldson |
Herbert |
Western Illinois U |
259-1491-5.8-10; |
| C |
McLeod |
Mike |
Yale U |
327-1619-5.0-23; |