2006 Freshman RB's to Watch

[ChiTownBull]

http://www.profantasysports.com/easycite/ros.php?PID=3348

This year’s crop of incoming freshman running backs may not produce an Adrian Peterson-type breakout year, but several backs could make an impact right away. Of particular importance are three freshmen vying for time in the USC backfield. With Reggie Bush and LenDale White both playing in the NFL, the Trojans need anybody to step up at running back and these three guys could make an immediate contribution. Also, there are redshirt freshmen backs that could make an impact this season, and fantasy owners will want to capitalize on these names and keep them in mind for potential waiver wire pickups if they don’t win the starting job this season. As with any freshman, selecting them in a draft is risky, especially if they decide to redshirt, so choose your first-year players wisely.

 

-- True Freshmen --

Stafon Johnson/C.J. Gable/Emmanuel Moody, USC

Some teams may have enough trouble trying to replace one NFL Draft pick in their backfield, but the Trojans have the task of replacing two of the best backs in the NCAA last season. Johnson, Gable and Moody are all incoming freshmen; with an unsettled backfield situation, each has a chance to stake their claim to carries. Each of these running backs had a decorated high school career and were some of the most sought-after backs in the nation. Watch fall practice for developments in this race, but at least one of these backs could factor into the Trojans backfield this season.

Chris Wells, Ohio State

One look at the Buckeyes’ depth chart and one can only realize how loaded this team is. Wells was considered one of the top running backs out of high school -- and for good reason. The 6-1, 225-pound back was a Parade All-American and scored 27 touchdowns in his senior year of high school. Additionally, he averaged a monster 9.6 yards per carry and was named the Most Valuable Player of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. With Antonio Pittman still entrenched as the starter, it may be difficult for Wells to see number one-back type carries, but he is a load to tackle and may be a solid option inside the red zone.

C.J. Spiller, Clemson

Spiller made a surprising signing day announcement by turning down Florida and Florida State for Tommy Bowden’s team. In high school, Spiller was a first team All-American by the USA Today and had 93 touchdowns during his career. Unfortunately for the talented freshman, the Tigers already have a stacked depth chart. Sophomore James Davis is the unquestioned starter, and back-up Reggie Merriweather isn’t bad either. Take a flyer on Spiller; although he may see carries, look for more of an impact next season.

Kordell Young, Rutgers

There was once a time where the Scarlet Knights couldn’t get any recruits to come to their campus, but things are beginning to change. Young is considered by many to be the potential star of the 2006 recruiting class for head coach Greg Schiano. Schiano has recruited well and brought talent to the Scarlet Knights, which paid off by their reaching a bowl game for the first time since 1978. Young may have trouble seeing many carries this year, as Brian Leonard and Ray Rice stand in his way on the depth chart. However, keep in mind Leonard graduates after this season and the young freshman back should be the team’s second option in 2007.

Jamaal Evans, Georgia Tech

With P.J. Daniels off to the NFL, the Yellow Jacket backfield needs a back to emerge as the number one guy. Tashard Choice has the inside track, but all eyes are on Evans, an incoming freshman. During his high school career, he rushed for more than 6,300 yards and totaled 67 touchdowns. The 5-8 back finished his high school career as the leading rusher in Irving, Texas history. Choice may be the number one back heading into this season, but Evans is a player worth keeping an eye on.

Javarris James, Miami-FL

This just happens to be Edgerrin James’ younger cousin; like Edgerrin, he has a chance to make an impact in the ‘Canes backfield in the next couple of seasons. Senior Tyrone Moss is expected to be the starter, but he is coming off a torn ACL and the ‘Canes have to consider getting the younger guys ready to play at some point. Top back-up Charlie Jones is a junior, so James would be the next in line. Taking the six-foot back may require a wait-and-see approach, but if you draft in keeper leagues, keep him on your rankings.

Delone Carter, Syracuse

The Orange offense has a history of developing quality running backs; with the loss of Damien Rhodes, Carter may be the offense’s choice to carry the workload. The 5-10 back earned Mr. Ohio Football honors for his play in the 2005 season, with 2,788 rushing yards. Although he’s not the biggest back, the Orange desperately need gamebreakers on the offensive side. The depth chart is cluttered with running backs who are unproven, so seeing the freshman notching carries this year wouldn’t be a complete shock.

Keiland Williams and Charles Scott, LSU

Injuries to Justin Vincent and Alley Broussard have left the Tigers scrambling for ball-carriers in the backfield. Williams and Scott come to LSU as part of a solid recruiting class, and they may see time this year. Broussard has been slow to come back from torn ligaments in his knee; some have speculated he may not be ready to play at all this year. Look for both freshmen backs to figure into the mix either this or next season.

Also consider: Kevin Collier, Pittsburgh; Mike Goodson, Texas A&M; Marcus Sims, Florida State; Cordera Eason, Mississippi; Toby Gerhart, Stanford; James Aldridge, Notre Dame

-- Redshirt Freshmen --

P.J. Hill, Wisconsin

Ron Dayne, Anthony Thomas and Brian Calhoun have all graced the Badger backfield, which isn’t a bad set of players. Hill is one of the backs in competition for a starting role this season; he spent last season just learning the tools of the trade. After spring practice, Hill was given the number one spot in the Badgers backfield, which bodes well for his fantasy value going into 2006.

Moise Plancher, South Florida

With Andre Hall gone, the Bulls offense is looking for another back to help run their spread attack. Plancher is one of the backs in the mix, but he will have to beat out sophomore Ricky Ponton, who played well in limited action last season. The 5-9 back has a world of potential and would give the backfield stability for the next four seasons, if he wins the job. Going into spring practice, he was the starter, but Ponton battled tough and made his stake for the starting role. With a suspect passing game, the rushing attack will be the focus for this offense, providing Plancher a chance at gaining serious fantasy consideration.

Jay Thomas/Judd Smith, Minnesota

With expected starter Gary Russell gone to due academic ineligibility, any Gopher back should be on the radar this season. Thomas and Smith are somewhere in the Gophers backfield, likely behind Amir Pinnix and Brylee Callender as fall camp begins. Callender is largely unproven as a junior college transfer and Pinnix has battled injuries, which all amounts to a chance for one of the two redshirt freshmen to steal a few carries this year.

T.J. Pitts, Memphis

It may be the Pitts to sit behind junior Joseph Doss, but the Memphis youngster should manage carries this season. The freshman back has drawn comparisons to former Tiger DeAngelo Williams, but we will see if those are true when he steps on the field. Look for the youngster to definitely sit behind Doss, but an injury could allow him to sneak into the starting lineup; he may also simply be too good for the Tiger offense to keep on the bench, so he may see between five and ten carries a game this season.

Kobey Lewis, Texas Tech

Lewis is listed at a mere 5-6, and although he may be easily hidden by his offensive linemen, the redshirt freshman could contend for snaps in the Red Raider backfield. His size and speed would allow him the possibility of a third down role right away; if starter Shannon Woods suffers an injury, Lewis or junior Taurance Rawls would get the call.

Donald Brown, Connecticut

The Huskies aren’t in desperate need of a running back, but since Terry Caulley suffered torn ligaments in his knee, he hasn’t been the same back. Although the Huskies are hopeful he returns to his pre-injury form, they have to prepare for next year, since Caulley will graduate at the end of this season. Brown is a back that is the player to watch for the future, but he does have competition in the mix.

Eugene Jarvis, Kent State

The Golden Flashes rushing attack was simply dreadful last year, and the dimunitive Jarvis may be the answer to their rushing problems. At 5-5, he might be one of the smallest players in college football, and he just doesn’t have the size to be an every-down back for this offense. However, his breakaway speed is top notch and he could provide the offense with 15 carries per game. Although Michigan State transfer Tony Howard is the likely day one starter in Kent, Jarvis could be a factor.

Reggie Arnold, Arkansas State

The defending Sun Belt champs are rebuilding at the offensive skill positions, and one of their biggest question marks lies at running back. Antonio Warren was a very productive player at this position and he was the team’s best offensive weapon last year. Arnold is a player in the mix this season, but he will have to beat out the talented Chris Easley.

Xavier Smith, Arizona

Mike Bell was one of the most underrated backs in college football the past couple of seasons; now, the Wildcat offense has to replace him. The Wildcats aren’t too sure of Smith or junior Chris Henry, considering both struggled in the spring game. Smith came to Arizona with plenty of praise and he’s worth a look, but keep an eye on this battle during fall camps.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nebraska and Washington have agreed on a series that will take place in 2010 and 2011. The Huskers will visit the Huskies in 2010, while the Huskies will travel to Lincoln in 2011.

Miami-FL has suspended running back Tyrone Moss, wide receiver Ryan Moore, linebacker James Bryant and receiver Rashaun Jones for the season opener against Florida State. Moore will also miss the team’s second game against Florida A&M.

Connecticut wide receiver Seth Fogarty was recently injured in an ATV accident. The junior receiver suffered serious leg injuries and is out this season and could be finished for his career.

South Florida quarterback Carlton Hill won’t run with the Bulls in 2006. The talented sophomore will play at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi and will try to return to the team in 2007.

Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive guard J.D. Quinn are off the team. Both players have been dismissed and won’t have a chance to return to the Sooner football team next season. Bomar was expected to be one of the most improved quarterbacks in the NCAA this season and a big reason why the Sooners were expected to contend for a national title.

By Steve Lassan, PFS College Football Senior Writer. Email him at stevelassan@profantasysports.com

[E.T.]

I only hear good about Plancher ... can't wait to see him the first few games to see if he is the real deal.

Go BULLS !!!

[ksquire]

Just like E.T. has his Grothe fetish...I feel the same way about Plancher, the future back of our team.

[E.T.]

Just like E.T. has his Grothe fetish...I feel the same way about Plancher, the future back of our team.

And we'll take them all 4 years  8-)

Have you watched him in HS ?

I am really impressed with Ponton from what I saw last season.

Go BULLS !!!

[usfgrad84]

I'm pretty confident we'll be just fine at RB with either Ponton or Plancher or both sharing time.  Andre was a great back for us because he carried the load when asked to.  The one thing I was a bit disappointed with Andre was in both his two years he was caught from behind in several situations where a faster back would have taken it all the way.  Hopefully, if given those opportunities Plancher or Ponton can take it all the way.  

I think the offense will be much, much better.  More weapons in the passing game ( don't start the stupid QB debate again) and I truly believe the running game may even be better.  Andre was asked to carry the load and he did, but he also got so many total yards because of the number of carries he got.  If Plancher and Ponton get as many carries, I'm confident they get the yards as well.  I think one or both of these guys will end their careers surpassing some of Andre's records.

[E.T.]

...[highlight]( don't start the stupid QB debate again)[/highlight] ...

Agree with your speed statement ... remembering hearing that Ponton was faster than Hall ... and that Plancher is quicker than Ponton.

Ponton has real good size with his speed.

Also feel geal good about this backfield and Smith looked pretty good at the Spring Game. Really only need 3, so RS the FR, unless they can get into the 2 Deep.

Also have little(5-7, 190#) Benjamin Williams, 18 yards from 7 carries in the Spring Game.

A better passing game will only help our running game. Somebody a while back mentioned that he would be happy with 700 yards each for Ponton & Plancher ... think ALL of us would be VERY happy with that.

Go BULLS !!!

[smazza]

plancher is small

i dont see him being an every day back

ponton has to be sick.he waited 2 years thinking he was the man

i coached cj gable in little league baseball years ago.he was a stud at 10

[E.T.]

plancher is small

i dont see him being an every day back

...

Similiar reasons why Faulk went to San Diego State & Sanders to OK St  

[Guest]

plancher is small

i dont see him being an every day back

See also Barber, Tiki; Dunn, Warrick

[bulls96go]

and CJL just added a walkon RB from CC who may be another stud(andreesque?)