Freshmen refreshers: 2015 ESPN Running Backs to Know
Monday, August 31, 2015
Freshmen refreshers: 2015 RBs to know
By Gerry Hamilton
The college football season is just four days away. As the excitement to the first contest builds, so do the expectations for some of the nation’s top true freshmen.
While the 2015 class of freshmen running backs simply can’t be compared to a special group in 2014 that includes freshman stars Nick Chubb, Samaje Perine, Leonard Fournette, Royce Freeman, Nick Wilson, Jalen Hurd and Dalvin Cook, this year’s crop will have a number of talented backs sure to hit the field with an impact.
Here are five to that will have the opportunity to make a difference this season.
L.J. Scott, Michigan State Spartans
Scott will be in a terrific position for a true freshman back. He will not likely be the starter, but instead will the backup early in the season to get acclimated to the college game. This will allow the former ESPN 300 back to develop without the pressure of carrying the load for the Spartans. When he is on the field, and it will be quite a bit as the season moves along, he will run behind a very experienced offensive line as well as quarterback in Connor Cook. It will not be a surprise if Scott becomes a starter at some point during the season.
Jordan Scarlett, Florida Gators
While junior Kelvin Taylor will be the starter and carry the bulk of the load early in the season, Scarlett will certainly play early and often. It’s not out of the question that Scarlett could push Taylor to the point of splitting time as the season moves along. Scarlett has a college-ready body, and is one-cut vertical runner with tons of speed, which is a needed fit in the Gators offense. Taylor and Scarlett will give the Florida offense two quality backs this season.
Mark Walton, Miami Hurricanes
While sophomore Joseph Yearby is set to be the starter for the Hurricanes, true freshman Mark Walton has been working with the second team in fall camp, and has been steadily improving as an all-around back. Yearby rushed for 520 yards as a true freshman in 2014 as the backup to All-American Duke Johnson, and it’s expected that Walton could end up with similar numbers in his freshman campaign.
Ronald Jones II, USC Trojans
At first glance, it might seem like a long shot for a true freshman running back to gain traction at USC this season with Justin Davis and Tre Madden bringing returning experience and production to the backfield. With that said, Jones has big-play ability that is a cut above all of the backs on campus in Los Angeles
Saquon Barkley, Penn State Nittany Lions
The freshman running back will be on the field this season for Penn State. The Nittany Lions return Akeel Lynch, but the No. 2 back was an open battle coming into fall camp. Barkley, a four-star prospect in the Class of 2015, has been very impressive not only as a runner, but a well-rounded back and that will get the Keystone State product on the field from jump street.
Freshmen refreshers: 2015 RBs to know
By Gerry Hamilton
The college football season is just four days away. As the excitement to the first contest builds, so do the expectations for some of the nation’s top true freshmen.
While the 2015 class of freshmen running backs simply can’t be compared to a special group in 2014 that includes freshman stars Nick Chubb, Samaje Perine, Leonard Fournette, Royce Freeman, Nick Wilson, Jalen Hurd and Dalvin Cook, this year’s crop will have a number of talented backs sure to hit the field with an impact.
Here are five to that will have the opportunity to make a difference this season.
L.J. Scott, Michigan State Spartans
Scott will be in a terrific position for a true freshman back. He will not likely be the starter, but instead will the backup early in the season to get acclimated to the college game. This will allow the former ESPN 300 back to develop without the pressure of carrying the load for the Spartans. When he is on the field, and it will be quite a bit as the season moves along, he will run behind a very experienced offensive line as well as quarterback in Connor Cook. It will not be a surprise if Scott becomes a starter at some point during the season.
Jordan Scarlett, Florida Gators
While junior Kelvin Taylor will be the starter and carry the bulk of the load early in the season, Scarlett will certainly play early and often. It’s not out of the question that Scarlett could push Taylor to the point of splitting time as the season moves along. Scarlett has a college-ready body, and is one-cut vertical runner with tons of speed, which is a needed fit in the Gators offense. Taylor and Scarlett will give the Florida offense two quality backs this season.
Mark Walton, Miami Hurricanes
While sophomore Joseph Yearby is set to be the starter for the Hurricanes, true freshman Mark Walton has been working with the second team in fall camp, and has been steadily improving as an all-around back. Yearby rushed for 520 yards as a true freshman in 2014 as the backup to All-American Duke Johnson, and it’s expected that Walton could end up with similar numbers in his freshman campaign.
Ronald Jones II, USC Trojans
At first glance, it might seem like a long shot for a true freshman running back to gain traction at USC this season with Justin Davis and Tre Madden bringing returning experience and production to the backfield. With that said, Jones has big-play ability that is a cut above all of the backs on campus in Los Angeles
Saquon Barkley, Penn State Nittany Lions
The freshman running back will be on the field this season for Penn State. The Nittany Lions return Akeel Lynch, but the No. 2 back was an open battle coming into fall camp. Barkley, a four-star prospect in the Class of 2015, has been very impressive not only as a runner, but a well-rounded back and that will get the Keystone State product on the field from jump street.
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