It isn’t very often that a college football player is so good at his position that it sparks debate about the rules of eligibility for the NFL but that has certainly been the case this year with LSU’s Leonard Fournette. He’s been performing at an incredibly elite level. Fournette is in his sophomore season and that means that despite leading the nation in rushing yards and being the clear favorite to win the Heisman trophy, he still won’t be eligible to enter the NFL Draft until 2017. However, Fournette is still easily one of the top prospects in the game and it is no surprise that he tops the list of the best running backs in the country right now.
Leonard Fournette, LSU Tigers
Sophomore
The New Orleans, Louisiana native has averaged a ridiculous 7.7 yards per carry while rushing for 1,352 yards and 15 touchdowns in seven games for LSU. He is easily the biggest reason why the Tigers are still undefeated heading in to their showdown with Alabama. Fournette is a big, bruising back that also has elite speed and some elusiveness. That he continues to put up such big numbers despite the fact that opposing defenses are planning their entire game around stopping him is scary. What’s more impressive is that LSU doesn’t really have a reliable passing game, so Fournette has faced a lot of loaded boxes. Even so, he still rolls.
Fournette would undoubtedly be the first running back off the board in next year’s NFL Draft if he was eligible but for now, he will have to settle for the title of being the nation’s top running back.
[related_post_one]
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Buckeyes
Junior
One running back that will be eligible for next year’ NFL Draft is Elliott, who has averaged 6.8 yards per carry while rushing for 1,130 yards and 13 touchdowns for Ohio State this season. A lot has been made about the uncertainty at the quarterback position for the Buckeyes this year and that is one reason why Elliott’s dominance has been somewhat overshadowed.
There is no doubt about the considerable level of talent that Ohio State has across the board but Elliott has been their most consistent offensive threat. Expect him to really stand out once we start getting into evaluations for the 2016 NFL Draft. He should shine at his pro day as well as the combine – if he goes.
Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide
Junior
Henry is another big, bruising SEC back that can do a bit of everything but really excels when it comes to lowering his shoulders and banging in between the tackles. The junior running back has averaged 5.8 yards per carry for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns and that is enough to put him in the Heisman conversation behind Fournette and Elliott.
Henry is the biggest of this group at 6’3’’ and 245 pounds and the combination of that size and elite speed is what makes him such a big threat. It will be interesting to see how NFL scouts rate him as he has the look and feel of Trent Richardson. However, Richardson has proven to be one of the biggest busts in the NFL’s recent memory.
Dalvin Cook, Florida State Seminoles
Sophomore
The Seminoles’ star sophomore back has done it all again this season with 1,037 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns as well as 15 catches for 181 receiving yards. He’s only the second running back in Florida State’s history to top 1000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
Cook isn’t as big or strong as Henry but he is an excellent pass catcher with the quickness and elusiveness to make opposing defenders miss. The fact that he can do it all is what makes him such a dynamic threat as the total package at the running back position. In terms of the 2016 NFL Draft, Cook will be a hot commodity because of the aforementioned package. He may not be the best pure runner but he offers more overall than the others.
