2009 NFL Draft: Running Back Rankings

The top 2009 running back prospects available for the 2009 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted. * – denotes 2010 prospect. ** – denotes 2011 prospect.

This page was last updated April 24, 2009.

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
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Chris Wells, Ohio State – Scouting Report
Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Combine 40 Time: 4.59.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.46.
Benchx225: 25. Vertical: 33.5. Broad: 10-8.
Projected Round (2009): Top 20 Pick.
2/23/09: Chris Wells somehow ran faster than Knowshon Moreno despite being 20 pounds heavier. Though some thought Wells could run a low 4.4, a 4.59 doesn’t really hurt Wells’ stock.

1/3/09: Despite playing just nine games, Chris Wells finished with 1,091 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He caught just seven passes, however.

10/18/08: Chris Wells hasn’t played as much as Ohio State fans would like this year, but he’s still the projected No. 1 running back to go in the 2009 NFL Draft, slightly edging out Knowshon Moreno. Hey, when inept GMs and scouts watch Wells run a 4.4 at 235 pounds at the combine, they’re going to crap their pants.

5/21/08: Chris Wells didn’t disappoint in his first year as a full-time starter for the Buckeyes. Wells tallied 1,609 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on a 5.9 clip. And don’t blame him for the loss to LSU in the 2008 Final NCAA Postseason Exhibition Match; he rushed for 146 yards on 20 carries. Downside? Only five receptions in 2007.

2007: A 232-pound running back with 4.4 speed, Chris Wells averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a freshman, which was a higher mark than what Antonio Pittman maintained (5.1). Wells, who gained 576 yards, will be the feature back now that Pittman has moved on to the NFL.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia – Scouting Report
Height: 5-11. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.60.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.60.
Benchx225: 25. Vertical: 35.5. Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 1.
3/22/09: Knowshon Moreno once again ran a 4.60 at his Pro Day, so he can’t blame Indianapolis’ slow surface. I still can’t see him falling past Arizona at No. 31, but his chances of going in the top 20 are getting pretty slim.

2/23/09: Ouch. A 4.60? It should be noted that Knowshon Moreno was one of many running backs who ran a conspicuously slow “official” 40 on Sunday. I get the feeling that the person in charge of getting the official times was either leering at one of the cheerleaders or taking LSD. There’s no way everyone was a tenth slower than the unofficial times.

2/21/09: Knowshon Moreno put on 10 pounds of bulk and weighed in at 217 at the NFL Combine. The 40 could determine whether Moreno or Chris Wells is drafted first.

1/8/09: Pretty much a given – Knowshon Moreno has declared for the 2009 NFL Draft.

1/3/09: Yet another great season for Knowshon Moreno, who tallied 1,338 rushing yards, 27 receptions, 329 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns. The only reason he and Chris Wells aren’t top-15 locks is because of the lacking need for running backs.

10/18/08: Knowshon Moreno is having an amazing year; through seven weeks, he has 590 yards and 10 touchdowns on a 5.6 YPC clip. He also has 11 receptions. Chris Wells has more impressive combine numbers, so he’ll likely be drafted before Moreno.

5/21/08: The only reason Knowshon Moreno, now a redshirt sophomore, may not be drafted in the top 10 is because this class is so top-heavy with talent. Moreno managed 1,334 rushing yards, 253 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

2007: A redshirt freshman, Knowshon Moreno doesn’t have the best size-40 combination in the world, but he’s a talented runner who gained at least 100 yards in five consecutive games.
Donald Brown, Connecticut – Scouting Report
Height: 5-10. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.51.
Benchx225: DNP. Vertical: 41.5. Broad: 10-5.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.
1/4/09: Donald Brown brought the Bubble Lead and then some in a win against D.Wily and the Buffalo Bulls, rushing for 261 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. After the game, Brown said he’s declaring for the 2009 NFL Draft. No one can blame him for doing so.

1/3/09: Still undecided about declaring. Donald Brown definitely has the numbers – 1,822 rushing yards, 21 receptions and 17 touchdowns. His decision should probably be based on whether or not Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno declare. It’d be nice not to have to compete against them.

10/26/08: Donald Brown has 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight games. Brown has eclipsed the 150-yard mark six times. He also has 14 receptions.
LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
Height: 5-10. Weight: 198.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.
Benchx225: DNP. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 2.
3/22/09: Yet another disappointing workout for LeSean McCoy. A 4.50 won’t get him into the first round.

2/21/09: This can’t be good. Listed anywhere between 207-210, LeSean McCoy weighed in at 198. Though he reportedly has the flu, being under the 200-pound barrier can’t be good for his draft stock. Neither can a hand measurement of 8 7/8.

1/15/09: One week after he announced he was returning to school, LeSean McCoy, living up to his nickname (shady) officially declared for the 2009 NFL Draft.

1/8/09: LeSean McCoy announced that he’ll be returning for his junior season.

1/3/09: It looks like LeSean McCoy is going back to school, but I’m still listing him in the 2009 Running Back Rankings just in case. LeSean McCoy finished with 1,403 rushing yards, 31 receptions, 299 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.

10/18/08: Less impressive because of Dave Wannstedt, LeSean McCoy has a 4.6 YPC average and seven touchdowns.

5/21/08: LeSean McCoy was never redshirted, but he’ll be three years removed from high school once the 2009 NFL Draft rolls around. McCoy had 1,328 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns and even 33 receptions as a freshman for Pittsburgh.
Rashad Jennings, Liberty
Height: 6-1. Weight: 231.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.52.
Benchx225: 29. Vertical: . Broad: 10-0.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
1/3/09: Rashad Jennings finished his sterling 2008 campaign with 1,500 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

10/18/08: For those of you who don’t follow 1-AA football, Liberty is undefeated. The main reason is Rashad Jennings, who is literally carrying the Flames, Through six games, Jennings has 725 yards and eight touchdowns on a 5.6 YPC clip. NFL GMs and scouts are going to love his 40 time.

5/21/08: Rashad Jennings is a transfer from Pittsburgh, but he didn’t switch schools because he couldn’t keep up; he had family issues to deal with. At Liberty, Jennings totaled 1,113 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Andre Brown, N.C. State – Scouting Report
Height: 6-0. Weight: 224.
Projected 40 Time: 4.56.
Combine 40 Time: 4.49.
Benchx225: 24. Vertical: 37. Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
1/3/09: Andre Brown’s rushing totals aren’t impressive (728 yards, 6 TDs), but the fact that he caught 28 balls for 305 receiving yards at 230 pounds definitely is.

10/18/08: Andre Brown rushed for 101 yards against South Carolina in the season opener, but hasn’t done much since then. He gained just five yards against Boston College.

5/21/08: Andre Brown began his 2007 campaign well, rushing for 427 yards on a 4.8 clip and catching 17 passes the first five weeks. Unfortunately, he broke his foot in early October and was out the rest of the year (he returned at the end but was ineffective).

2007: One of the larger backs in the 2009 class, Andre Brown has gained about 660 rushing yards the past two years. Had his best game against Florida State (18 carries, 113 yards).
Shonn Greene, Iowa
Height: 5-11. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.63.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.55.
Benchx225: 19. Vertical: 39. Broad: 10-6.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
3/27/09: Shonn Greene improved his stock by notching a solid 40 (4.55), vertical (39) and broad jump (10-6) at his Pro Day. He’s now back in Round 2 discussion.

2/23/09: A 4.63 didn’t do Shonn Greene any favors. Neither did a hand measurement of 8 1/2. Already the subject of weight and work-ethic issues, Shonn Greene will need a lot of luck to be drafted on Day 1.

1/3/09: Shonn Greene announced that he’ll enter the 2009 NFL Draft. And with 1,729 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior, who could blame him? Greene caught just eight passes, so he’ll have to work on that part of his game. Still, he could be a second-round pick when it’s all said and done.

10/26/08: Shonn Greene has been a beast this year. Through eight games, Greene has tallied at least 100 yards in every single game, including a 217-yard, four-touchdown performance against Wisconsin.
Cedric Peerman, Virginia
Height: 5-10. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Combine 40 Time: 4.45.
Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 40. Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
2/23/09: Opened eyes with a very sharp 2009 NFL Combine, running a 4.45 and garnering a 40-inch vertical. Unfortunately, he measured with the smallest hands at the 2009 NFL Combine (8 inches).

1/3/09: Cedric Peerman finished with 774 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as a senior, but also caught 44 balls.

10/18/08: After gaining just 96 yards the first four weeks of the season, Cedric Peerman tallied 110- and 173-yard outputs against Maryland and East Carolina in consecutive Saturdays.

5/21/08: Cedric Peerman suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Oct. 6. Before then, he was having a solid year, rushing for 585 yards and five touchdowns on a 5.2 clip.
Javon Ringer, Michigan State – Scouting Report
Height: 5-10. Weight: 203.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Combine 40 Time: 4.60.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.
Benchx225: 23. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
1/3/09: Javon Ringer gained 1,590 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior. He also caught 25 passes. But as I mentioned, he needs to drop his 40 to cement his Day 1 status.

10/18/08: An absolute beast this year, Javon Ringer is a Heisman candidate. Through seven weeks, he already has 1,112 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his 40 time-weight combination isn’t going to impress anyone.

5/21/08: Javon Ringer finished his impressive 2007 campaign with 1,447 rushing yards and 35 receptions. If Ringer can hold true to that 4.43 40, he could find himself as high as the top of the second round.

2007: A quick running back who may need to bulk up just a bit, Javon Ringer is the key back in one of the most potent rushing attacks in the country. Through seven games, Ringer has 932 yards, six touchdowns and 23 receptions.
James Davis, Clemson
Height: 5-11. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.61.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.43.
Benchx225: 17. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
2/23/09: Just like almost everyone else at the 2009 NFL Combine, James Davis’ ran a slow 40. He’s still a mid-round prospect.

2/21/09: James Davis put on about 11 pounds of bulk for the 2009 NFL Combine. If it doesn’t affect his 40 time, he may have increased his draft stock.

1/3/09: Like everyone else on Clemson, James Davis had to deal with the team’s massive offensive line problems. Davis rushed for 725 yards and 11 touchdowns on a 4.6 average. Not bad considering the circumstances.

10/18/08: Like everyone on Clemson’s offense, James Davis has struggled. Davis’ only 100-yard performances have come against the Citadel and Maryland. He gained 25 yards on 12 carries at Wake Forest. He’s going to need a lot of luck to be drafted on Day 1. 5/21/08: Owner of a very solid 40 at his size, James Davis once again had a solid year for Clemson, rushing for 1,064 yards and 10 touchdowns.

2007: After declaring for the 2008 NFL Draft, James Davis has decided to return for his senior season.

A runner with tremendous speed, Davis rushed for 1,187 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2006. Only had six receptions last year, although he had 19 the year before. Will once again split carries with C.J. Spiller, so his stats won’t be maximized.
Kory Sheets, Purdue
Height: 5-11. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Combine 40 Time: 4.47.
Benchx225: 15. Vertical: 37. Broad: 10-1.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
1/3/09: Kory Sheets had an underrated senior year, rushing for 1,131 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 37 balls for 253 receiving yards.

10/18/08: Prior to playing Penn State and Ohio State, Kory Sheets had rushed for more than five yards per carry against his first four opponents. He has eight touchdowns and 16 receptions on the year as of Week 7.

5/21/08: Kory Sheets rushed for 859 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2007. He also caught 30 passes for 216 yards and two more scores.
Javarris Williams, Tennessee State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 223.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.52.
Benchx225: 25. Vertical: 33.5. Broad: 10-8.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
1/3/09: Javarris Williams finished the year with 1,037 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

10/18/08: Through six games, Javarris Williams has 499 yards, eight touchdowns and 13 receptions. His YPC is 4.6, down from 6.1 last year.

5/21/08: Granted, Javarris Williams was running against lesser competition, but he still managed 1,187 yards and 12 touchdowns at a 6.1 clip.
Mike Goodson, Texas A&M
Height: 6-0. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Combine 40 Time: 4.54.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.43.
Benchx225: 14. Vertical: 39.5. Broad: 9-10.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
2/23/09: Somehow Mike Mayock’s No. 5 running back, Mike Goodson ran an average 40 at his size, but notched a 39.5-inch vertical. He’s a mid-round prospect at best.

1/20/09: Mike Goodson has declared a year early for the NFL Draft. His stock really depends on how fast his 40 is at the Combine. If he runs a 4.3, he made the right decision; if not, he should have stayed in school. Goodson totaled 406 rushing yards, 386 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

5/21/08: Mike Goodson needs to run in the 4.4s; no one’s going to use any pick in the first four rounds on a small running back who can’t be a home-run threat. Goodson saw his yards-per-carry figure decrease from 6.7 to 4.6 last year, though he caught 36 passes.

2007: Led the Aggies in rushing as a freshman, gaining 847 yards at a 6.7 pop. Mike Goodson also caught 17 balls for 113 yards. Considering most of his production came at the end of the season, Goodson could be primed for a huge sophomore campaign.
Antone Smith, Florida State
Height: 5-8. Weight: 191.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.33.
Benchx225: 31. Vertical: 32. Broad: 10-2.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
3/18/09: With a 40 of 4.33, 31 reps on the bench press, a 32-inch vertical and a 10-2 broad jump, Antone Smith definitely put himself on the radar. Smith rushed for 792 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes for 101 yards.
Glen Coffee, Alabama
Height: 6-0. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Combine 40 Time: 4.58.
Benchx225: 24. Vertical: 36. Broad: 10-1.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
1/10/09: Glen Coffee has declared for the 2009 NFL Draft, even though he’s just a mid-round prospect. Coffee rushed for 1,383 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also caught 16 passes, but he’s light and won’t dazzle anyone at the Combine.
Ian Johnson, Boise State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Combine 40 Time: 4.46.
Benchx225: 26. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
2/23/09: Ian Johnson shocked Indianapolis when he ran an unofficial 4.3 40. The official time has him at 4.46, which is still pretty decent compared to the plethora of Sunday’s slow backs. 2/21/09: Ian Johnson’s 212 pounds? What happened? Did he eat someone by accident? He was listed at 195 in college.

1/3/09: Ian Johnson compiled 766 rushing yards, 22 catches, 229 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. Not exactly the sizzling stats he had earlier in his collegiate career. Well, at least his wife is hot.

10/18/08: Still way too small to be an every-down back in the NFL. He can’t even carry the load on his own at Boise State.

5/21/08: The casual fan knows Ian Johnson as the player who scored in the decisive touchdown against Oklahoma and then proposed to his girlfriend on national TV. NFL scouts, however, will come to know Johnson as a small back who runs a mediocre 40 at his size.

2007: A bit small, but Ian Johnson could be a nice change-of-pace back in the NFL. Still, you can’t help but marvel at what he did in 2006: 1,714 yards and 25 touchdowns. Needs to become a better pass-catcher; only eight receptions last year.
Aaron Brown, TCU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
Arian Foster, Tennessee
Height: 6-1. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.69.
Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 32. Broad: 9-7.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
2/21/09: So much for being a power back. Listed at 232 at Tennessee, Arian Foster weighed in at 215. We’ll see if the weight loss helped his 40.

1/20/09: Arian Foster showed up to the Senior Bowl 15 pounds overweight.

1/3/09: Arian Foster had no chance. The quarterback situation at Tennessee was so bad, opposing defenses often put nine or 10 men in the box to contain him. Foster still managed 4.4 yards per carry, totaling 570 yards on the year.

10/18/08: Jonathan Crompton’s struggles really hurt Arian Foster, who managed a combined 33 yards on 11 carries at Auburn and Georgia.

5/21/08: A power runner with solid speed, Arian Foster made major strides in 2007, collecting 1,193 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns.
Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon
Height: 5-9. Weight: 209.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Combine 40 Time: 4.61.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.57.
Benchx225: 20. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/3/09: Jeremiah Johnson rushed for 1,082 yards and 12 touchdowns – remarkable, as he was coming off a torn ACL. That injury is pretty much no longer an issue.

10/18/08: Coming off a torn ACL, Jeremiah Johnson played pretty well until running into USC. The Trojans contained him to just 45 yards on 13 carries. The following week, UCLA limited him to 30 yards on 11 rushes.

5/21/08: Jeremiah Johnson got off to a hot start in 2007, gaining 6.4 yards per carry alongside Jonathan Stewart. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in the middle of the year.
Devin Moore, Wyoming
Height: 5-9. Weight: 192.
Projected 40 Time: 4.32.
Combine 40 Time: 4.41.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.41.
Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 35. Broad Jump: 10-0.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
2/19/09: Devin Moore worked out in front of 14 teams prior to the NFL Scouting Combine, but disappointed. Projected as a low-4.3 runner, Moore recorded a 4.41. He’s now a late-round prospect.

1/3/09: If Devin Moore runs a low 4.3 as projected, teams will look at him as a Felix Jones-type back, making him a first-day possibility. Moore rushed for 1,303 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes.

10/18/08: Devin Moore has 688 rushing yards (5.2 YpC) and three touchdowns through seven games. He ran for 97 yards on just 14 carries (it was a blowout) against BYU, a team that was considered a national title contender before it was debacled by TCU.

5/21/08: The 2009 version of Chris Johnson. Think about it – Devin Moore is an undersized, non-BCS prospect with a blazing 40 and the ability to return kicks. You might as well pencil him into the Titans’ roster.
Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 219.
Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
Combine 40 Time: 4.77.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.67.
Benchx225: 20. Vertical: 34. Broad: 9-6.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/29/09: Gartrell Johnson’s 40 is going to hurt him, but hopefully some team will see past that. In 2008, Johnson recorded 1,476 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also helped out the passing game by catching 32 balls for 295 more yards.
Josh Vaughan, Richmond
Height: 5-11. Weight: 224.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.59.
Benchx225: 36. Vertical: 37. Broad: 9-11.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
Keegan Herring, Arizona State
Height: 5-9. Weight: 203.
Projected 40 Time: 4.39.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.47.
Benchx225: 24. Vertical: 34.5. Broad: 10-3.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
10/18/08: Hamstring injuries have ruined Keegan Herring’s season. He has carried the ball only 34 times in seven weeks.

5/21/08: Keegan Herring will make a nice scat back in the NFL. His 40 will be a major factor in determing where he’s drafted. He better be prepared at the combine. Herring managed 815 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2007.
Herb Donaldson, Western Illinois
Height: 5-11. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.68.
Benchx225: 28. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/3/09: Herb Donaldson debacled Division 1-AA yet again, accumulating 1,784 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

10/18/08: Through six games, Herb Donaldson has 954 yards and 14 touchdowns on a 5.5 YPC. Donaldson proved himself by rushing for 157 yards and a touchdown in a near upset at Arkansas.

5/21/08: Another great season for the unknown Herb Donaldson. The 220-pounder had 1,491 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing the season finale against Youngstown State.

2007: Herb Donaldson doesn’t have the greatest speed in the world, but his size and production make up for it. He rushed for an amazing 328 yards and six touchdowns against Indiana State on Nov. 4. Think his lacking competition is the reason he compiled 1,417 yards in 2006? He gained 4.1 yards per carry at Wisconsin earlier in the season.
Curtis Brinkley, Syracuse
Height: 5-9. Weight: 203.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/3/09: Curtis Brinkley helped out his draft stock by rushing for 1,164 yards and seven touchdowns with absolutely nothing around him at Syracuse.
Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
Height: 5-11. Weight: 216.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Combine 40 Time: 4.59.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.53.
Benchx225: 18. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/3/09: Marlon Lucky finished the season with 517 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. On the bright side, he had 22 receptions and 275 receiving yards.

10/18/08: Nothing impressive here; Marlon Lucky has only one 100-yard rushing performance. He was held to 17 yards on eight carries against Virginia Tech.

5/21/08: Marlon Lucky ran well for classless moron coach Bill Callahan, compiling 1,019 yards and 12 touchdowns. But here’s the amazing stat – Lucky had 75 receptions and 705 receiving yards. This from a running back. Let’s just hope Lucky doesn’t score a zero on the Wonderlic as a possible result of unfortunately inheriting his former head coach’s idiocy.
Rodney Ferguson, New Mexico
Height: 6-0. Weight: 237.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/3/09: Poor combine numbers will hurt him, but his stats remain impressive. Rodney Ferguson totaled 1,105 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2008.

10/18/08: Rodney Ferguson performed well against the two high-conference schools on his slate; he rushed for 293 yards and four touchdowns against Texas A&M and Arizona.

5/21/08: Rodney Ferguson had a decent season – 1,177 rushing yards, 264 receiving yards, 14 total touchdowns – but missed New Mexico’s bowl game because he was academically ineligible. I guess he couldn’t get his girlfriend to do his homework for him, unlike a very recent quarterback in the Big Ten.
Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
Height: 5-8. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.66.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.64.
Benchx225: 12. Vertical: 33. Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
2/23/09: One of about a billion running backs who ran slow on Sunday, Tyrell Sutton recorded a 4.66 40.

2/21/09: A nice weight (211) for Tyrell Sutton. He was very close to 200 at Northwestern.

1/3/09: Playing in just eight games because of a broken wrist, Tyrell Sutton rushed for 776 yards in 2008. He also had 30 catches, 276 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns.

10/18/08: Tyrell Sutton is single-handedly carrying the 5-1 Northwestern Wildcats. Don’t blame him for the loss; he ran for 139 yards on 23 carries against Michigan State.

5/21/08: Tyrell Sutton missed a huge chunk of the 2007 season with an ankle injury. In five full games, he rushed for 522 yards and caught 30 passes.
Tarrion Adams, Tulsa
Height: 6-1. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/3/09: Tarrion Adams’ poor 40 is going to hurt him come Draft Day. It’s a shame because he managed 1,316 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2008.

10/18/08: Tarrion Adams has picked up where he left off last year, averaging 5.6 YPC on the year.

5/21/08: In his first season as a full-time starter at Tulsa, Tarrion Adams compiled 1,225 rushing yards, 30 receptions, 301 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns.
Marcus Thigpen, Indiana
Height: 5-9. Weight: 185.
Projected 40 Time: 4.37.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.47.
Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 35. Broad: 10-6.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/3/09: Marcus Thigpen failed to return a kickoff for a touchdown in 2008, maintaining an average of 22.5 yards per return.

5/21/08: Marcus Thigpen’s not listed this high for his skills as a running back (568 yards, three touchdowns). Instead, he’s a fifth-round prospect because he’s one of the top kick returners in the nation.
Chris Ogbonnaya, Texas
Height: 6-0. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Combine 40 Time: 4.61.
Benchx225: 19. Vertical: 35. Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
P.J. Hill, Wisconsin – Scouting Report
Height: 5-11. Weight: 222.
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.63.
Benchx225: 16. Vertical: 37. Broad: 10-2.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
3/18/09: Arrested and charged with DUI. He won’t be drafted.

1/9/09: In a very curious move, P.J. Hill has declared for the 2009 NFL Draft. There’s a good chance he won’t be drafted, so I don’t know what he’s thinking.

10/18/08: In years past, P.J. Hill has been able to put up solid numbers. Not this year. He’s gone over the 100-yard barrier only twice this year – against Akron and Fresno State. He managed just 3.2 yards per carry against Marshall.

5/21/08: P.J. Hill had another monstrous campaign for Wisconsin, rushing for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns.

2007: There’s no denying P.J. Hill’s effectiveness as a college player (1,569 rushing yards, 18 receptions, 16 total touchdowns), but is he quick enough to succeed in the NFL? Probably not. He’ll stick around in a Ron Dayne or Brandon Jacobs type of role, but I doubt Hill could ever be a full-time starter.
Darrell Mack, Utah
Height: 6-0. Weight: 219.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
10/18/08: No longer carrying the load on his own. Darrell Mack has only one game where he carried the ball more than 14 times.

5/21/08: If Darrell Mack can improve his 40, he’ll soar up this top-heavy but mediocre list. Mack had 1,204 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in 2007. He also caught 21 passes, which is impressive for a big guy.
Corey Lewis, Northern Iowa
Height: 6-0. Weight: 198.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
5/21/08: If Corey Lewis drops his 40 into the 4.4s or bulks up a bit, he could be drafted as early as the third round. Lewis rushed for 1,513 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Even more amazing was that he caught 54 passes for 642 receiving yards.
Anthony Kimble, Stanford
Height: 6-0. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Combine 40 Time: 4.66.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.54.
Benchx225: 13. Vertical: 36. Broad: 10-2.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
Brad Lester, Auburn
Height: 5-11. Weight: 192.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.48.
Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 38.5. Broad: 10-4.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
10/18/08: Sharing the workload with Ben Tate. Brad Lester’s carries have decreased every week until his four-rush output against Arkansas (he gained seven yards).

5/21/08: One of many small running backs in this class, Brad Lester missed the first five games of the 2007 season because he was suspended (academics). He rushed for 530 yards at a 4.2 clip the rest of the year.
Kahlil Bell, UCLA
Height: 5-11. Weight: 212.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.68.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.75.
Benchx225: 15. Vertical: 32. Broad: 9-5.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
10/18/08: Khalil Bell hasn’t recovered from his ACL; he has yet to gain more than 3.7 YPC in any game this year.

5/21/08: Kahlil Bell was having a great year (795 rushing yards, five touchdowns in seven games) but suffered a torn ACL at Washington State.
Tyrell Fenroy, Louisiana-Lafayette
Height: 5-9. Weight: 191.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.46.
Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 38. Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): FA.
5/21/08: Talk about production: Tyrell Fenroy has rushed for at least 1,021 yards in each of his three seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette. Unfortunately, he’s small and his 40 isn’t very impressive for a back of his size.
Brandon Mason, Stony Brook
Height: 6-2. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
1/4/09: In seven games at Stony Brook, Brandon Mason rushed for 651 yards and seven touchdowns. A transfer from Pitt.
Jason Cook, Ole Miss
Height: 5-11. Weight: 244.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Benchx225: 21. Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): FA.
Branden Ore, West Liberty State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.67.
Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 36. Broad: .
Projected Round (2009): FA.
Maurice Wells, Ohio State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 194.
Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
5/21/08: What’s the difference between Chris and Maurice Wells? How about three inches, 38 pounds, 1,242 rushing yards, 2.3 yards per carry and 12 touchdowns. Other than that, not very much.
Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian
Height: 5-10. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.56.
Combine 40 Time: 4.56.
Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 36. Broad: 10-5.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
2/23/09: Talented, but arrested four times in the past few years. A word to the wise – if you want to get arrested, do it after you sign a big NFL contract!
Mike Davis, South Carolina –
Height: 5-9. Weight: 215. Projected 40 Time: 4.49. Projected Round (2009): FA.
Tony Dixon, Kentucky –
Height: 5-8. Weight: 203. Projected 40 Time: 4.41. Projected Round (2009): FA.
Ontario Sneed, Central Michigan –
Height: 5-11. Weight: 209. Projected 40 Time: 4.49. Projected Round (2009): FA.