Week Nine is in the books, and we continue our look at how our preseason Top Five has fared so far as well as a few other risers and fallers.
Today we look at the running back position.
Preseason Top 5
1) Mark Ingram, Jr Alabama - A minor knee injury kept him out of the first two games. With only two 100-yard rushing games, statistically Ingram has been less than impressive. But he's still the same powerful runner he was last year, and the most NFL-ready of any college running back in my opinion.
2) Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech - Williams has yet to get on track this season. He was snowed under by Boise State in the opener, and a hamstring injury has shelved him for the better part of the last six games. With only four games remaining, it seems unlikely that Williams will be able to do enough to warrant leaving early.
3) DeMarco Murray, Sr, Oklahoma - Murray is the game-breaker of the group, but he's proven he can also be a workhorse with 173 rushing attempts for 762 yards through eight games. He's also been excellent out of the backfield once again with 40 catches for 291 yards.
4) Jacquizz Rodgers, Jr, Oregon State - Quizz just continues to produce. With five games left, Quizz is on pace to eclipse 1200 yards rushing for the third straight year. He's a gritty runner, and I have a hard time seeing him coming back for a fourth year.
5) Kendall Hunter, Sr Oklahoma State - Another player that we were extremely high on heading into the season that some draft pundits overlooked. Hunter has lived up to our lofty expectations and is already over 1000 yards rushing on the season, and he has 12 scores. Surprisingly he only has 14 receptions for 44 yards on the season, but he can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Other Risers and Fallers
LaMichael James, So, Oregon - With over 1200 yards rushing through eight games, James has been the most electric runner in college football so far this season. He's a natural fit for Chip Kelly's spread offense. Will it translate to the next level? The old saying that you can't teach speed holds true here. It will be interesting to see if he forgoes his final two years of eligibility after this season.
Bilal Powell, Sr, Louisville - Heading into 2010 Powell had just one 100-yard rushing performance the past three seasons. So far this year he's had five, including back-to-back 200-yard rushing days against Memphis and Cincinnati. Powell did take a shot to the knee last week against Pitt and we await word on the severity of the injury.
Chad Spann, Sr, Northern Illinois - Spann has already reached the 1000-yard mark and double digit touchdowns for the second straight time in his career.
Daniel Thomas, Sr, Kansas State - The former quarterback is looking more and more like a running back with each passing game. He's on pace to notch his second straight 1200-yard campaign.
Derrick Locke, Sr Kentucky - Just when we thought Locke had kicked the injury bug for good he's missed the last three games with a shoulder stinger. Injuries aside, Locke is an impressive back whose game should translate well to the next level.
Anthony Allen, Sr Georgia Tech - Allen was slow out of the blocks this season but has picked it up as of late with six scores (one receiving) and 362 yards rushing in the last three games.
Evan Royster, Sr Penn State - We never bought into the notion of Royster being a Top 5 running back prospect, and he struggled through the first six games. A 150-yard and 2 touchdown day against Michigan may have been Royster's slump buster, however.