The recruiting season in college football never ends. The focus has already shifted to the 2017 class of recruits with a number of commits expected in the spring and summer as the countdown continues to the next national signing day. There is plenty of intrigue across the board in terms of the battle to land the nation’s top recruits and a particularly loaded stable of running backs will only add to it. Here is a look at the top four running backs that have yet to commit for the 2017 class.
D’Andre Swift
Four Star Recruit
The dangerously speedy playmaker out of St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has mentioned Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, Clemson and Miami among the many programs that have had recent conversations with him. Swift isn’t expected to decide on a college until after his senior season and there will be some tough competition to land him. Swift is the top all-purpose back on the board with the potential to become an immediate star at the next level. It’s hard to say which team has an edge this early in the season but the best fit might be Penn State. Swift was born and raised in the area and could be the featured big threat running back that really takes the Nittany Lions offense to another level.
Best Fit: Penn State Nittany Lions
Cam Akerse
Four Star Recruit
Akers was committed to Alabama for several months, but he decided to reopen the recruitment process early in March and isn’t likely to choose the Crimson Tide. The more likely scenario has him committing to another top program that has a greater need at the running back position. There are plenty of interested parties including Ohio State, Arkansas and Ole Miss. The Rebels could be the best choice as an offense with high-end talent at quarterback, wide receiver and tackle, but lacking that home run threat at the running backs position. Head Coach Hugh Freeze has rebuilt the offense but the one thing that’s been consistently lacking has been a reliable running game. The Clinton, Mississippi-native would be able to stay in state and eventually be the featured running back in a potentially loaded Ole Miss offense.
Best Fit: Ole Miss Rebels
Khalan Laborn
Four Star Recruit
Florida State appears to be the frontrunner to sign Laborn after multiple visits to Tallahassee. The Seminoles have already signed his former teammate from Ocean Lakes in five-star cornerback Levonta Taylor and Laborn admitted that he is very interested in following in his footsteps. Virginia Tech and Virginia would love to keep him at home with fellow ACC rivals North Carolina and Louisville still in the mix. However, the No. 2 all-purpose running back out of Virginia looks to be a strong fit for Florida State where he would join his former teammate as a featured back at a program that appears close to becoming a national title contender again.
Best Fit: Florida State Seminoles
Anthony McFarland Jr.
Four Star Recruit
New Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin has committed to doing his best to keep homegrown talent in-state and there is no doubt MacFarland will be among his priorities. Big Ten rivals Penn State and Michigan each hosted MacFarland last fall, so Durkin will have some competition. The key could be how much of a priority it is for the Hyattsville-native to stay in Maryland. If he considers it important then the Terrapins will be the best fit as a team where he will undoubtedly become the featured back in short order. The other key to landing this recruit is a good season from Maryland. The truth is that the program is in a downward spiral after winning just three times in their last 15 games. They’re going to have to show a lot better in 2016 – or at least show a hint of optimism – if they are to land a top recruit like McFarland Jr. It’s hard to get a quality recruit if your program is toiling.
Best Fit: Maryland Terrapins
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