2020 Recruiting Class Overview: Running Backs

Kane Fossell Posted On February 25, 2020

The 2020 running back recruiting class is strikingly similar to what we have seen year after year: recruits are going to the best teams and there is not much change there.

Once or twice a running back will go to a team that they can start for as a freshman, which is what Jahmyr Gibbs, the running back number eight in this class, has the chance to do. Choosing a school like Georgia Tech gives him the ability to play meaningful minutes as a freshman if he can beat out a former three-star recruit in Jordan Mason.

If these running backs do not have the chance to get playing time as freshmen, how are they supposed to be picked as good prospects in devy drafts?

The answer is to look at the depth chart of each of these schools and see if some of these players can get meaningful time on the field. I will be looking at each of the top 10 recruits and their depth charts as well as some additional top 30 guys that have a chance to get some quality minutes in the freshman season.

Zachary Evans will not be a part of this article because we still are not sure where he is going to be playing football after Georgia granted his release.

Bijan Robinson has an instant ability to start. Last year Texas had to move their third string quarterback to be in the backfield because they were so hurt at that position. He will be slotted directly behind Keontay Ingram that had difficulties creating plays for himself behind an offensive line that did not always want to block.

Robinson comes in at a strong 200 pounds and has terrific vision and is able to be patient behind the line. He is incredible in the open field and it completely makes sense as the number one running back in this class.

If we are trying to find weaknesses it is the same as many running backs going into college: he needs to work on his pass blocking and can sure up his ball security when running with the football. With the concerns that Ingram has had, it makes sense for Texas to turn to Robinson for some snaps starting his freshman year.

Clemson seems to be collecting five star players and it is no difference at the running back position. Looking at the depth chart, it is easy to see that Bowman will start the season slotted third, behind Etienne and Lyn-J Dixon.

Many thought that Dixon would be putting his name in the transfer portal with Etienne returning to school, but he looks to be staying. Not sure if that was the best move for Dixon, because there is not a chance that Bowman rides the pine for his entire freshman season.

Expect to see Bowman appear in blowouts early in the season so the coaching staff can see him put his talent on display. Bowman is the type of player that has amazing acceleration and speed and uses that to get north and south as quickly as possible. He is not the best pass catcher out of the backfield, but has the ability to improve there. Year two this backfield should be all his.

Kendall Milton has to be in the discussion when we are talking about players that can make an immediate impact. With the way that Georgia runs their offense, many running backs have the chance to tote the rock. Swift and Herrien out of the way, the running back room will have to step up in a major way.

Milton has a great blend of three of the most important skills: speed, balance, and power. He is more shifty than his 227 pound frame shows. Add in the incredible balance, and you have the making for a top tier running back. Milton will have to improve on his catching out of the backfield as well to become viable in fantasy football. He will have a great chance to get playing time as a freshman and continue that until he is drafted.

Tank Bigsby

Jalen Berger

Ky Thomas

Bigsby is in a very interesting position as leading rusher for the Auburn Tigers, JaTarvious Whitlow, has entered the transfer portal and coach Gus Malzahn advised that he is “looking for a fresh start somewhere else.”

With Whitlow leaving, who will Bigsby have to compete with? His main competition is going to be sophomore DJ Williams who carried the rock for 84 carries and 400 yards this past season. Sprinkle in Shaun Shivers, who will not participate in spring practices as he also runs track at Auburn, with a total of 55 carries and 286 yards last season. If you have heard the name of Harold Joiner, that is due to his pass catching out of the backfield. Long story short, Bigsby has a chance to make his name in this backfield.

After watching some film on Tank, you can see why he gets his name “Tank”. Many times you think that he is stopped behind the line by some big defensive tackles, but he pulls them forward for multiple yards as his legs never stop pumping.

If you think that power is his only strength, watch him run outside on a toss or option. His great vision allows him to read the over-pursuing linebackers, and look for a cut back lane as he shows his speed and agility giving the linebackers a hesi/dead leg, then cuts back inside to find the correct rushing lane. He does this time and time again against the defense. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and even returned kicks in high school.

Tank is an all-around weapon that you will have to keep an eye on in your devy drafts.

With Jonathan Taylor, who is left in this Badger backfield? An underwhelming Nakia Watson that received no carries in either of the last two games for Wisconsin, a redshirt freshman in Julius Davis that has had no work in college, and Garrett Groshek that has the third down running back role for this offense.

Watson is clearly the front-runner in this running back race, but it means something that he could not even be a dependable backup to Taylor. There is clearly a chance that Berger becomes the guy to run the ball for UW.

If you are looking down on Berger as a four-star recruit, look at what Wisconsin was able to do with a three-star guy in Taylor. Clearly Wisconsin doesn’t base it’s opinion on stars in recruiting. Berger was clocked at a 40 time of 4.6, but he plays much faster than that and has true breakaway speed. His biggest strength is the great body control that he maintains while using his vision to hit the hole and accelerate straight through it.

Berger has passing game chops, too. In high school, he was able to line up at receiver or in the slot. His biggest knock is what could hold him out of being a starting running back in the most physical conference, his pad level. He needs to be more physical to contribute right away.

Is it really an article written by me if I don’t try to talk about the Gophers? Ky Thomas is one of the better running back recruits that Minnesota has gotten in quite some time and add in the departure of the top two backs of Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, and Thomas could be something special.

If we look at the depth chart of the soon-to-be Big 10 West champs, there is only one back that has gotten serious run in college, Mohamed Ibrahim, who excels in the outside zone run the Gophers have started to perfect.

Bryce Williams and Cam Wiley haven’t gotten any serious run yet, but Ky Thomas is something special. Knowing Minnesota runs up to three backs in the same game, he has a chance to get some time in the backfield next to Tanner Morgan.

The first thing that pops on the film is his exceptional agility. He has a variety of moves to get around defenders and he uses them all. Sitting at 5’11” 205lbs. Thomas has a clear pop that he gives defenders. He has good power and is tough to tackle behind the line of scrimmage. At times, he relies on his athleticism a bit too much as he was faster, stronger, and smarter than his opponents. He has clear breakaway speed, which is a necessity in an outside zone offense.

Thomas ended as the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year with 3027 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. He even totaled over seven thousand rushing yards and over 90 touchdowns in his career. It is clear that he is able to be a focal point of the offense. It remains to be seen what he can do with an actual passing attack as well.

Thank you for reading and looking into the 2020 recruiting class with me. Feel free to comment below or follow me on Twitter @Devy_Kane if you have any questions.