2008 CFN Fantasy & Stat Rankings - RBs

The 2008 CFN Fantasy and Statistical Running Back Rankings.

2008 Fantasy Rankings

Running Backs

CFN Fantasy Scoring System | Top 50 Players | Quarterbacks  
Running Backs | Receivers | Tight Ends & Kickers

Conference Rankings ACC | Big East | Big Ten | Big 12 | C-USA
MAC | M-West | Pac 10 | SEC | Sun Belt | WAC

College running backs are always difficult to figure out. Redshirt freshmen emerge, freshmen blow up, JUCO transfers come in, and quarterbacks tend to run for touchdowns more in college taking points away. Just as in NFL Fantasy Football, the top running backs are at a premium. Always be very careful of some of the top backs as bad lines, backup running backs, and other factors always come into play. According to the CFN Scoring System, touchdowns are important, but the points rack up quickly for the guys who put up the yards and can catch the ball as well. Go for the guys you know aren't going to be subjected to the RB-by-committee format.

BLUE CHIP RECRUITS - Get your hands on one of these RBs no matter what. These are the franchise players.

1. Harvey Unga, Soph. BYU
CFN 2007 Point Total (note: these don’t include two-point conversions): 215 … 16.53 ppg
Unga was tremendous last season rushing for 1,227 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman. Now Manase Tonga and his eight rushing scores are out of the mix, and the Cougar offense will only be better. The only issue could be a possible increased role of Fui Vakapuna around the goal line.

2. Damion Fletcher, Jr. Southern Miss
CFN 2007 Point Total: 199 … 15.29 ppg
Mr. Rock Solid, Fletcher is a workhorse who's always good for 100 yards and a score or two every game. With the new coaching staff and the shaky passing game, the running game will be featured even more at times, even if the attack is being changed up a bit. Fletcher is a star who needs the ball in his hands, and he'll get it in the big games.

3. Chris Wells, Jr. Ohio State
CFN 2007 Point Total: 188 … 14.45 ppg
If Wells was the only back of note in the Buckeye backfield, and if OSU was going to be in most of its games until the fourth quarter, there would be no question marks about the numbers. However, there will be several blowouts and there are too many other good options to take away carries and stats.

4. Eugene Jarvis, Jr. Kent State
CFN 2007 Point Total: 197 … 16.38 ppg
The diminutive MAC star could end up leading the nation in rushing, 2,000 yards is an attainable goal, but if Julian Edelman is the main man under center all year, short rushing scores could decrease.

5. Luke Lippincott, Sr. Nevada 
CFN 2007 Point Total: 211 … 16.22 ppg
The quarterback situation might be a bit up in the air, but Lippincott will be the steady ground gainer the attack will work around. If it's running QB Colin Kaepernick, and not Nick Graziano under center all season long (Kaepernick will be the No. 1 going into the opener), rushing yards will be taken away.

SECOND TIER - These will be some of the biggest producers in the country with a good chance of breaking into the top five prospects.

6. Ian Johnson, Sr. Boise State
CFN 2007 Point Total: 183 … 14.09 ppg
As long as he's healthy, he'll put up big stats. He'll have several multi-touchdown games.
7. Knowshon Moreno, Soph. Georgia
CFN 2007 Point Total: 183 ... 14.07 ppg
Will he be a marked man? He might be the best back in the nation, but there should be more from the passing game as defenses will gang up to stop the run.
8. LeSean McCoy, Soph. Pitt
CFN 2007 Point Total: 185 … 15.39 ppg
The super-soph is considered by some NFL scouts as the most talented running back prospect in America. He has quickness, speed and toughness. He'll be the centerpiece of the Pitt attack.
9. Rodney Ferguson, Sr. New Mexico   
CFN 2007 Point Total: 170 … 14.21 ppg
New Mexico running backs always produce. The big backs working behind gigantic lines equals big numbers.
10. Javon Ringer, Sr. Michigan State
CFN 2007 Point Total: 141 … 10.81 ppg
The only question mark will be durability. If healthy for a full season, Ringer could be a serious threat for 2,000 yards If he really does take over the goal line duties now that Jehuu Caulcrick is gone, watch out.
11. P.J. Hill, Jr. Wisconsin  
CFN 2007 Point Total: 168 … 12.93 ppg
The Badgers have several good backs to split the workload, but Hill is still the main man. He'll be the top goal line back and the workhorse in the big games, but he'll have to prove he can stay healthy for a full season.
12. Noel Devine, Soph. West Virginia  
CFN 2007 Point Total: 79 … 6.59 ppg
Devine might have just scratched the surface last year as one of the Big East's most explosive players. Now that he's the main back in place of Steve Slaton, he could be a breakout statistical superstar.
13. Justin Anderson, Jr. Northern Illinois
CFN 2007 Point Total: 156 … 13.04 ppg
The entire NIU offense last season, Anderson won't have to do it all by himself this year as the new coaching staff will do more for the passing game.
14. Arian Foster, Sr. Tennessee
CFN 2007 Point Total: 176 … 12.57 ppg
With a new starting quarterback and a new offensive coordinator, Foster will be the safe mainstay of the Vol offense until everyone gets their feet wet.
15. Marlon Lucky, Sr. Nebraska   
CFN 2007 Point Total: 179 … 14.90 ppg
Lucky finally stayed healthy and showed what he could do. The one bright spot last year, he was a top receiver as well as a runner.

THIRD TIER

		2007 Total Points	2007 Points Per Game
16	James Starks, Jr. Buffalo	169	14.08
17	Anthony Dixon, Jr. Miss State	170	13.08
18	Jorvorskie Lane, Sr. Texas A&M	156	11.98
19	Jonathan Dwyer, So. Georgia Tech	162	13.51
20	James Davis, Sr. Clemson	133	10.22
21	Tyrell Sutton, Sr. Northwestern	72	12.04
22	Demarco Murray, Soph. Oklahoma	127	11.59
23	Frank Goodin, Soph. UL Monroe	73	6.07
24	Mikell Simpson, Jr. Virginia	118	11.83
25	Jocques Crawford, Jr. Kansas	0	0

GREAT FANTASY CONSIDERATIONS

		2007 Total Points	2007 Points Per Game
26	Mike Goodson, Jr. Texas A&M	112	8.64
27	Cordera Eason, Jr. Ole Miss	0	0.12
28	Deonte Jackson, Soph. Idaho	124	10.30
29	Ryan Mathews, Soph. Fresno St	136	12.36
30	Jeremiah Johnson, Sr. Oregon	63	10.42
31	Aaron Brown, Sr. TCU	57	6.34
32	Josh Adams, Soph. Wake Forest	137	11.38
33	Kendall Hunter, So. Oklahoma St	80	6.67
34	Jimmy Jackson, Sr. Missouri	64	4.90
35	Tyrell Fenroy, Sr. UL Lafayette	110	9.17
36	Darrell Mack, Sr. Utah	171	14.24
37	Kory Sheets, Sr. Purdue	131	10.04
38	Frank Summers, Sr. UNLV	131	10.90
39	Reggie Arnold, Jr. Arkansas State	127	10.56
40	Duane Bennett, So. Minnesota	59	5.92
41	Andre Dixon, Sr. Connecticut	92	8.35
42	Michael Smith, Jr. Arkansas	40	4.45
43	Kyle Bell, Sr. Colorado State	68	5.67
44	Ontario Sneed, Sr. Central Mich	78	7.08
45	Brock Bolen, Sr. Louisville	83	9.18
46	C.J. Spiller, Jr. Clemson	92	7.10
47	Kahlil Bell, Sr. UCLA	83	10.41
48	Ben Tate, Jr. Auburn	111	8.52
49	Ty Paffett, Sr. Air Force	32	4.01
50	Terry Grant, Soph. Alabama	118	10.73