Top RBs in the Class of 2012

The National Football Post continues to look ahead to the Class of 2012. Today, our first glance at the running backs.

As with the quarterbacks, this list is a very preliminary one, as prospects will rise and fall based off of their performances in summer camps and, of course, their play during their senior seasons.

But, for now, let’s take a look at the most intriguing players at the running back position.

As the days and weeks unfold, and as I continue to watch more clips and further research these recruits, I will continue to unveil the top prospects at each position both on offense and defense.

RB’s

Johnathan Gray was the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year in 2010.

1. Johnathan Gray: 5-10, 190-pounder from Aledo, TX

Status: Undeclared

Considering: Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, TCU and Texas Tech

Also recruited by: Baylor

2010: Rushed for 3,183 yards and 59 touchdowns. Named a first-team Class 4A all-state selection. Was the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year.

2009: Carried 350 times for 2,670 yards (7.6 average) and 45 touchdowns. Caught 29 passes for 457 yards (15.8 average) and eight more scores in helping lead Aledo to a state title.

Gray has rushed for 6,021 yards and 109 touchdowns in the last two seasons at Aledo High School — staggering numbers for the rising senior. The son of James Gray, who played at Texas Tech and in the NFL, Gray recently participated in junior days at Texas A&M, Texas and TCU and has already received a scholarship offer from the Longhorns. While rumors persist that he has already committed to head coach Mack Brown, the state’s top junior insists that he is far from making a decision. While NCAA rules prevent coaches from calling recruits on the phone until July 1, Gray still receives around 40 letters a week. And the number may increase. The 5-10, 190-pounder, who had minor surgery on his right shoulder because of a labrum injury he suffered during his sophomore season, set a Texas high school state championship game record with eight rushing touchdowns and broke the record for most rushing scores in a season — a mark that stood since 1953. Whether he is running around or through defenses, Gray — who already accepted an invite to next year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl — is the top back to watch in 2011.

2. Rushel Shell: 5-11, 215-pounder from Aliquippa, PA

Status: Undeclared

Considering: Pittsburgh, Penn State, Ohio State, Tennessee and Florida

Also recruited by: West Virginia, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, Cincinnati and UCLA

2010: Carried 324 times for 2,475 yards (7.6 average) and 27 touchdowns. Added 12 catches for 198 yards and three more scores. Was a Class AAA all-state selection and the area player of the year.

2009: Rushed 250 times for 2,465 yards (9.9 average) and 31 touchdowns.

Shell, who also plays basketball at Hopewell High School in the Pittsburgh area, is an elite back who is a big fan of Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The two are friends, which leads many to speculate that the Buckeyes could be frontrunners despite the fact that Pryor won’t be on campus if and when Shell arrives. In addition, Jim Tressel and Co. already have commitments from Bri’onte Dunn and Warren Ball — two of the best running backs in the country.

Matt Jones rushed for 1,300 yards and 23 touchdowns on 176 carries last season.

3. Matt Jones: 6-3, 220-pounder from Seffner, FL

Status: Florida

Also Considered: Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and USC

Also recruited by: Notre Dame, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Clemson and South Carolina

2010: Rushed for 1,447 yards and 25 touchdowns. Was a second-team all-area selection.

2009: Carried 88 times for 682 yards (7.8 average) and eight touchdowns. Added nine catches for 134 yards and one more score.

2008: Rushed for 124 yards and one touchdown.

Jones, who committed to Florida this month while holding approximately 30 scholarship offers, should be a perfect fit as a bigger back in Charlie Weis’ pro-style offense. The downhill runner helped lead Armwood High School to the class 4A state title game last season and is determined to have a stellar 2011 season with his college choice already made. The coaching staff at Florida told Jones that he will be one of just two running backs in the Class of 2012, so he is being counted on to produce in Gainesville. He insisted that he is “a Gator for life” and that his decision will not change from now until Feb. 1, 2012 — the first day he can officially sign a national letter of intent with the Gators. Despite gaining 147 yards in last season’s state title game, Jones managed just 7 yards on four carries in the final 21 minutes in his team’s 17-14 loss. He cited dehydration for his ineffectiveness late, but the bruising, every-down back certainly would like to finish his high school career on a higher note next season.

Barry Sanders, Jr. visited Alabama this past weekend.

4. Barry Sanders, Jr.: 5-10, 190-pounder from Oklahoma City, OK

Status: Undeclared

Considering: Oklahoma State, Alabama, Florida State, UCLA and Notre Dame

Also recruited by: Texas A&M, Tennessee, Auburn, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Arizona and Tulsa

2010: Rushed 81 times for 1,136 yards (14.0 average) and 16 touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass. However, he played in only six games on the season due to a foot injury.

2009: Rushed for 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns. Caught five touchdown passes, as well. Received all-state recognition.

2008: Rushed for 742 yards and 12 scores.

Yes, there is another Barry Sanders. Scary thought, right? The son of the Hall of Fame NFL running back has been a YouTube favorite ever since stepping onto the field for Heritage Hall High School. But Sanders Jr., who has already been chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game in San Antonio next year, is a bit of a different back than his dad, as he’s a little bigger, more of an upright runner and possibly — just possibly — a little faster in the open field. He has very good acceleration and quick change of direction, and he also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Will he choose to stay home and play for Oklahoma State like his father, or will he choose his own path at another school?

5. Keith Marshall: 5-11, 190-pounder from Raleigh, NC

Status: Undeclared

Considering: North Carolina, Clemson, Florida, Alabama and Auburn

Also recruited by: Georgia, Notre Dame, USC, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, NC State, Georgia Tech, South Florida and Duke

2010: Rushed for 1,539 yards and scored 17 touchdowns despite missing most of two games after suffering a concussion.

2009: Rushed for 1,166 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. Caught two more scores and had 238 receiving yards.

Marshall is an all-purpose back who has a nice initial burst when he carries the ball. His vision may be his biggest asset, and he has home-run speed on all areas of the field. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.25 seconds and consistently breaks 4.35. The son of former Denver Bronco Warren Marshall, he is an elusive and powerful runner who can block and catch passes out of the backfield. As he continues to add weight and get stronger, he will become more effective running between the tackles. The Millbrook High School star is a projected five-star prospect who already holds 20 offers, most from traditional major football powers, and is receiving contact from over 50 schools. The top-ranked junior prospect in the state of North Carolina has already accepted an invitation to next January’s Under Armour All-America game.

Other backs to keep an eye on:

Trey Williams: A 5-8, 180-pounder from Houston, TX, who has rushed for 4,220 yards and 38 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Some schools he is considering include: LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas.

Bri’onte Dunn: A 6-1, 222-pounder from Canton, OH, who has given a verbal commitment to Ohio State. He is a big, bruising back who gets many of his yards after initial contact. Was named to the Division I all-Ohio first team as a junior.

Warren Ball: The 6-1, 205-pounder, like Dunn, has given his verbal to the Buckeyes. The Columbus, OH, product missed four games with a groin injury in 2009 and missed time in 2010 with a high ankle sprain, so his durability is a bit of a concern.

Mario Pender: The 5-11, 195-pounder from Cape Coral, FL, has given his verbal to Florida State. The explosive and dynamic back rushed for 2,261 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior, and he is often praised for his good character. He has world-class speed but also has no problem lowering the shoulder and initiating contact. He has gone overlooked a bit, possibly because of the lower level of competition he’s played against, but he could have the type of impact that C.J. Spiller had for Clemson.

T.J. Yeldon: The 6-1, 205-pounder from Daphne, AL, helped lead his team to the 6A state title and a 15-0 record as a junior. Yeldon, who also plays basketball, is considering Auburn, Florida State, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. He is a very good runner and receiver — perhaps the perfect fit for a Gus Malzahn offense.

Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave

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