wbtfg
Well-known member
The funny thing about this list is that Dan Moore and Orenzo Davis could end up being two of the best backs in the league.
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-running-backs/article_8492dc28-8f4e-11e1-b975-0019bb2963f4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1. ZACH BAUMAN, JR., NORTHERN ARIZONA 2011: 1,435 yds, 5.3 avg, 15 TD, 29 rec, 1 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: If you think Bauman won't continue his torrid production on the ground this season, think again. The junior-to-be had a fantastic spring -- capping it with a 146-yard, two-touchdown performance in NAU's Blue/White scrimmage -- and is primed for another huge year. With 29 rushing TDs in 22 career games, Bauman is a touchdown machine. Don't expect him to slow up any time soon.
2. CODY KIRK, JR., MONTANA STATE 2011: 1,351 yds, 5.6 avg, 14 TD, 23 rec. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: There will be a deep backfield in Bozeman this fall, especially with the return of former 1,000-yard rusher Orenzo Davis. But Kirk is still the main attraction -- and the workhorse of a Bobcats' ground attack that produced an average of 212.2 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. He isn't the fastest back in the Big Sky, but he is certainly one of the most powerful. And he has a nose for the end zone. Kirk will get his share of carries in new coordinator Kevin McGiven's offense.
3. D.J. ADAMS, JR., PORTLAND STATE 2011 (at Maryland): 174 yds, 4.3 avg, 4 TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Whoever the Vikings' next quarterback is, he'll have a jewel in the backfield in D.J. Adams. Adams was one of many players to defect after Gary Crowton's first season as Maryland's coach. Adams had a big year for the Terps in 2010 with 11 touchdowns. PSU coach Nigel Burton says the 5-11, 220-pound Adams "is a guy we expect to make an immediate impact in the Big Sky, no different than what he did in the ACC." That could spell trouble for the rest of the league.
4. JAKE MILLER, JR., NORTH DAKOTA 2011: 942 yds, 4.8 avg, 13 TD, 16 rec, 1 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: This is the little engine that could. Miller, a 5-11, 167-pound native of Bismarck, N.D., won't run anybody over. But he'll sure fly right by you. Miller broke out with a 145-yard, 3 TD performance in a near-upset of Fresno State early last season and never slowed down, scoring the sixth-most touchdowns in a single season in UND history. We'll see how he fares against consistently stiffer competition, but Miller has already proven he can produce against anyone. UND's reigning offensive player of the year is primed for more.
5. JORDAN CANADA, SO., MONTANA 2011: 580 yds, 5.1 avg, 9 TD, 14 rec. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Canada had some injury problems as a freshman last season, and there also is some concern about his work ethic. But Canada proved to be a major resource in the running game for the Griz when he was on the field. His breakout came in a 159-yard performance in a key come-from-behind win over Portland State. New coach Mick Delaney has said Montana won't deviate too much from the offensive plan of previous head coach Robin Pflugrad and former offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith, so that means Canada will be a focal point. Delaney says Canada "is as good as it gets if he can stay healthy."
6. TRAY ROBINSON, SR., MONTANA STATE 2011: 641 yds, 5.3 avg, 5 TD, 18 rec, 2 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Robinson at one point was a starting running back at Nebraska, so there's no debating his talent. And he was also named a team captain following spring practice, so his leadership qualities are exceptional, too. If he got the bulk of the carries in MSU's offense Robinson would easily be a 1,000-yard rusher. At 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds, he's a load to bring down, especially between the tackles. His high running style is reminiscent of former 49ers great Roger Craig.
7. C.J. TUCKETT, SR., WEBER STATE 2011: 662 yds, 7.9 avg, 10 TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Sleeper alert! Tuckett came on like gangbusters at the end of last season, emerging from nowhere to rush for 465 yards and 8 touchdowns in Weber State's last two games. Tuckett scored all 10 of his TDs in the last four weeks of the 2011 campaign, which is amazing considering he carried the ball only 27 times in the first seven. After a big spring, Tuckett appears to be the Wildcats' No. 1 back entering 2012, though there's plenty of depth to work with.
8. PETER NGUYEN, SR., MONTANA 2011: 835 yds, 5.5 avg, 3 TD, 17 rec, 3 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Jordan Canada is just one element of the Grizzlies' running game. Nguyen is another. He's had some ball-control issues in the past and only had two 100-yard games last year, but Nguyen still led the team in rushing. Nobody hits the hole faster. Nguyen's speed and low center of gravity make him incredibly elusive. Nguyen is also one of the top pass-catching backs in the Big Sky Conference. Nguyen, along with Canada and Dan Moore make-up one of the top RB groups in the FCS.
9. DEMETRIUS BRONSON, JR. EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 21 yds, 1.5 avg, 0 TD, 3 rec, 11.3 avg. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Jordan Talley is listed as the presumptive starter at RB for EWU entering the season, but Bronson is having a great fall camp. According to coach Beau Baldwin, if the season started today Bronson would be the starter. Bronson, who transferred to Eastern from the University of Washington before last season, is a big back with a physical streak. Bronson was disappointing in nine games last year but looks ready to step up in 2012. The Eagles are predominantly a throwing offense, though Bronson could make big noise.
10. JOSH BOOKER, JR., WEBER STATE 2011: 701 yds, 5.9 avg, 5 TD, 16 rec. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Until Tuckett ran wild at the end of the year, Booker was Weber State's top back. Booker started 10 games last season and earned second-team All-Big Sky honors. Booker isn't flashy, but he's steady -- and consistent. A 17-carry, 121-yard, 2-touchdown performance against Montana State last year was his best outing. Booker will play a solid role for the Wildcats again.
Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-running-backs/article_8492dc28-8f4e-11e1-b975-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz23eZsh4CM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-running-backs/article_8492dc28-8f4e-11e1-b975-0019bb2963f4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1. ZACH BAUMAN, JR., NORTHERN ARIZONA 2011: 1,435 yds, 5.3 avg, 15 TD, 29 rec, 1 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: If you think Bauman won't continue his torrid production on the ground this season, think again. The junior-to-be had a fantastic spring -- capping it with a 146-yard, two-touchdown performance in NAU's Blue/White scrimmage -- and is primed for another huge year. With 29 rushing TDs in 22 career games, Bauman is a touchdown machine. Don't expect him to slow up any time soon.
2. CODY KIRK, JR., MONTANA STATE 2011: 1,351 yds, 5.6 avg, 14 TD, 23 rec. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: There will be a deep backfield in Bozeman this fall, especially with the return of former 1,000-yard rusher Orenzo Davis. But Kirk is still the main attraction -- and the workhorse of a Bobcats' ground attack that produced an average of 212.2 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. He isn't the fastest back in the Big Sky, but he is certainly one of the most powerful. And he has a nose for the end zone. Kirk will get his share of carries in new coordinator Kevin McGiven's offense.
3. D.J. ADAMS, JR., PORTLAND STATE 2011 (at Maryland): 174 yds, 4.3 avg, 4 TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Whoever the Vikings' next quarterback is, he'll have a jewel in the backfield in D.J. Adams. Adams was one of many players to defect after Gary Crowton's first season as Maryland's coach. Adams had a big year for the Terps in 2010 with 11 touchdowns. PSU coach Nigel Burton says the 5-11, 220-pound Adams "is a guy we expect to make an immediate impact in the Big Sky, no different than what he did in the ACC." That could spell trouble for the rest of the league.
4. JAKE MILLER, JR., NORTH DAKOTA 2011: 942 yds, 4.8 avg, 13 TD, 16 rec, 1 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: This is the little engine that could. Miller, a 5-11, 167-pound native of Bismarck, N.D., won't run anybody over. But he'll sure fly right by you. Miller broke out with a 145-yard, 3 TD performance in a near-upset of Fresno State early last season and never slowed down, scoring the sixth-most touchdowns in a single season in UND history. We'll see how he fares against consistently stiffer competition, but Miller has already proven he can produce against anyone. UND's reigning offensive player of the year is primed for more.
5. JORDAN CANADA, SO., MONTANA 2011: 580 yds, 5.1 avg, 9 TD, 14 rec. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Canada had some injury problems as a freshman last season, and there also is some concern about his work ethic. But Canada proved to be a major resource in the running game for the Griz when he was on the field. His breakout came in a 159-yard performance in a key come-from-behind win over Portland State. New coach Mick Delaney has said Montana won't deviate too much from the offensive plan of previous head coach Robin Pflugrad and former offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith, so that means Canada will be a focal point. Delaney says Canada "is as good as it gets if he can stay healthy."
6. TRAY ROBINSON, SR., MONTANA STATE 2011: 641 yds, 5.3 avg, 5 TD, 18 rec, 2 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Robinson at one point was a starting running back at Nebraska, so there's no debating his talent. And he was also named a team captain following spring practice, so his leadership qualities are exceptional, too. If he got the bulk of the carries in MSU's offense Robinson would easily be a 1,000-yard rusher. At 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds, he's a load to bring down, especially between the tackles. His high running style is reminiscent of former 49ers great Roger Craig.
7. C.J. TUCKETT, SR., WEBER STATE 2011: 662 yds, 7.9 avg, 10 TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Sleeper alert! Tuckett came on like gangbusters at the end of last season, emerging from nowhere to rush for 465 yards and 8 touchdowns in Weber State's last two games. Tuckett scored all 10 of his TDs in the last four weeks of the 2011 campaign, which is amazing considering he carried the ball only 27 times in the first seven. After a big spring, Tuckett appears to be the Wildcats' No. 1 back entering 2012, though there's plenty of depth to work with.
8. PETER NGUYEN, SR., MONTANA 2011: 835 yds, 5.5 avg, 3 TD, 17 rec, 3 rec TD. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Jordan Canada is just one element of the Grizzlies' running game. Nguyen is another. He's had some ball-control issues in the past and only had two 100-yard games last year, but Nguyen still led the team in rushing. Nobody hits the hole faster. Nguyen's speed and low center of gravity make him incredibly elusive. Nguyen is also one of the top pass-catching backs in the Big Sky Conference. Nguyen, along with Canada and Dan Moore make-up one of the top RB groups in the FCS.
9. DEMETRIUS BRONSON, JR. EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 21 yds, 1.5 avg, 0 TD, 3 rec, 11.3 avg. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Jordan Talley is listed as the presumptive starter at RB for EWU entering the season, but Bronson is having a great fall camp. According to coach Beau Baldwin, if the season started today Bronson would be the starter. Bronson, who transferred to Eastern from the University of Washington before last season, is a big back with a physical streak. Bronson was disappointing in nine games last year but looks ready to step up in 2012. The Eagles are predominantly a throwing offense, though Bronson could make big noise.
10. JOSH BOOKER, JR., WEBER STATE 2011: 701 yds, 5.9 avg, 5 TD, 16 rec. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Until Tuckett ran wild at the end of the year, Booker was Weber State's top back. Booker started 10 games last season and earned second-team All-Big Sky honors. Booker isn't flashy, but he's steady -- and consistent. A 17-carry, 121-yard, 2-touchdown performance against Montana State last year was his best outing. Booker will play a solid role for the Wildcats again.
Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-running-backs/article_8492dc28-8f4e-11e1-b975-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz23eZsh4CM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
