2011's RB Class

[Kareighuis]

So, I'm still getting familiar with the draft class. Players that have jumped out to me-
DeMarco Murray (Sr- Oklahoma)
Noel Devine (Sr- West Virginia)
Mark Ingram (Jr- Alabama)
Shane Vereen (Jr- California)
Vai Taua (Jr- Nevada)
Trent Richardson (So- Alabama)
LaMichael James (So- Oregon)
Ryan Williams (So- Virginia Tech)
Andre Ellington (So- Clemson)
Mikel LeShoure (- Illinois)
Evan Royster (Sr- Penn State) (not draft-eligible, returning to college)

I can recite names, but I don't know much about their skills. I probably left some critical guys out, just trying to get the ball rolling.

[spodog]

Two more for your list that are likely going to go in the top 4 rounds:

Syracuse's Delone Carter runs a 4.52 40:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYWrfTqKgcQ

Kansas State's Daniel Thomas runs a 4.63, and runs with power, but he reminds me of Eddie George with that upright running stance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCsgxRveJjg

[The Lung]

Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure is an egregious omission from your list, although I'm not 100% confident he'll declare for this year's draft.

[Kareighuis]

Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure is an egregious omission from your list, although I'm not 100% confident he'll declare for this year's draft.

He has declared. He'll make it "officially official" at a press conference at his old high school.

[Kareighuis]

Finally got a chance to compare LaShoure's highlights with Ingram's. One thing that hit me was LaShoure often went down when hit, but Igram's superior balance let him take hits and he'd keep on trucking.

[deerayfan072]

LeShoure
Ingram
Thomas
Williams
Todman

[Kareighuis]

LeShoure
Ingram
Thomas
Williams
Todman

Wow. LeShoure over Ingram? Haven't seen that. What's your logic?

[deerayfan072]

LeShoure
Ingram
Thomas
Williams
Todman

Wow. LeShoure over Ingram? Haven't seen that. What's your logic?

Ingram gets all the pub because he was on a National Championship team and won the Hesiman as a Sophomore, while LeShore was a stud on a very bad Illini team. Leshore is bigger, faster, a better blocker, and better hands out of the backfield. A few years ago everyone laughed at me when I had an Illini back (Mendenhall) over an SEC back (DMC) who everyone said was the next best thing since sliced bread. Don't get me wrong, Ingram is a great back and will have a great career, but LeShoure is the better back IMO, but he just doesn't get/didn't get the notoriety that Ingram does/did.

[Kareighuis]

Deeray, after doing a little more reading, I've begun to agree with you on Lashoure.

I'm curious what you think of Daniel Thomas. Noone seems to be talking about him, compared to Ingram and Lashoure. I've even seen him ranked in the top two in terms of RB prospects.

[deerayfan072]

Deeray, after doing a little more reading, I've begun to agree with you on Lashoure.

I'm curious what you think of Daniel Thomas. Noone seems to be talking about him, compared to Ingram and Lashoure. I've even seen him ranked in the top two in terms of RB prospects.

Seen him ranked all over the board. I like Thomas a lot. Another guy that is overlooked because he was on a pretty crappy K-State team 2 years ago and one that was decent this year and that would have been a whole lot worse without him. He is a strong, very powerful runner with great vision that runs well between the tackles. Not a home run threat by any means, but dishes out punishment and always seems to fall forward. He can block well, so that will keep him on the field despite not being very good at catching the ball out of the backfield. I think he is a solid back and in the right place will excel. Definitely will not lose goal line carries.