A pair of running backs from Alabama, Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris, are at the top of the class for the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, a trio of Big 12 running backs are looking to make waves in the NFL including Justice Hill (Oklahoma State), Trayveon Williams (Texas A&M), and David Montgomery (Iowa State).
TOP 10 RB – 2019 NFL DRAFT:
Josh Jacobs (Alabama)
Damien Harris (Alabama)
Miles Sanders (Penn State)
David Montgomery (Iowa State)
Justice Hill (Oklahoma State)
Darrell Henderson (Memphis)
Mike Weber (Ohio State)
Trayveon Williams (Texas A&M)
Myles Gaskin (Washington)
Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic)
A pair of Big Ten backs, Penn State’s Miles Sanders and Ohio State’s Mike Weber, are hoping to follow their predecessors (Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliot) into the NFL. Miles Sanders is the best running back recruit out of the Big Ten this season. Sanders backed up Saquon Barkley the last two seasons, which means he has fresh legs.
Alabama Slammers
Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris share many similarities. You really couldn’t go wrong with either player lined up in the backfield. Jacobs is the better prospect of the two at 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds. Jacobs only rushed for 640 yards, but contributed 887 total yards from scrimmage. Jacobs scored 14 touchdowns with 11 rushing scores.
Harris is smaller but a smidge faster than Jacobs. As a senior, he scored 9 TD and averaged 5.8 yards per carry. He caught 22 balls, which means he adds versatility as a three-down back. He rushed for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore and junior.
Big 12 Guys: Monty, Tray, and Justice
David Montgomery (Iowa State) rushed for 1,216 yards with 13 touchdowns last season. Montgomery impressed scouts with his catching ability and his knack to gain yards after contact. His lack of speed is a concern, though.
Trayveon Williams (Texas A&M) averaged 6.5 yards per carry for 1,760 yards. He caught one touchdown but rushed for 18 more. Williams’ only drawback is his height at 5-foot-8.
Justice Hill (Oklahoma State) rushed for 5.9 yards per carry for the Cowboys with 9 touchdowns. He got off to a great start at the NFL combine with a 4.40 40 Time. However, he injured himself during the workout.
Best of the Rest: Sanders, Weber, Gaskin
Miles Sanders (Penn State) impressed scouts with his speed and 40 Time of 4.49. Sanders averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns. He didn’t see much action when Saquon Barkley was on the team, but Sanders proved to be a worthy replacement.
Mike Weber (Ohio State) nursed injured last season and split time in Columbus. But he still contributed 1,066 yards from scrimmage. Weber posted 5.5 yards per carry last season, but averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2017. He replaced Ezekiel Elliot, which is hard shoes to follow, but Weber won the starting job when Zeke went pro.
Darrell Henderson (Memphis) rushed for 1,909 yards this year and sat out a bowl game to prep for the NFL Draft. Henderson could have been a 2K rusher. He scored 25 touchdowns last season for the Tigers. Henderson also scored three TD receptions.
Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic), an undersized back, scored 22 touchdowns and ran for 1,348 yards in his junior season. Two seasons ago, Singletary rushed for nearly 1,800 yards with 29 touchdowns. As a freshman, he averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
Myles Gaskin (Washington) scored 13 touchdowns last season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry his senior season. Gaskin ran for at least 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons in Seattle. He ended his career with 5,323 yards. Gaskin will forever be known for his 80-yard touchdown scamper during a snowstorm to beat rival Washington State in the Apple Cup.
For more 2019 NFL Draft coverage, take a peek at the Top QB Prospects in the Draft.