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With the commitment of Marc Tyler to USC, some may think that the well of running back talent in the Class of 2007 is drying up. While most of the identified top prospects are narrowing down their lists, there are still many very good backs out there.
Gerald Jones (6-0/185/4.5)
Millwood High School (Oklahoma City, OK)
In reading on Jones, he has said on multiple occassions that Notre Dame is recruiting him to play both running back and wide receiver. In high school, Jones is an option quarterback that runs frequently as evident by his 200 carries for 1,900 yards (9.4 average) and 24 touchdowns.
Robert Hughes (6-0/220/4.6)
Hubbard High School (Chicago, IL)
One of the most physical guys available, Hughes is definitely a power back that could also transition into a fullback (or even linebacker) at the college level with ease. Last year, he ran for over 1,900 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.
Darren Evans (6-0/207/4.6)
Warren Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)
Playing in an option system, Evans numbers are gaudy. However, if you watch him play within the flow of the Warren Central offense, you'd realize how good he was. In the past two years, Evans has went rushed for over 2,100 yards and scored 27 touchdowns as a sophomore and 39 as a junior. Some have claimed he has a lack of speed, however, he has worked on that and recently clocked a 4.56 at the Louisville Scout combine.
Carl Robinson (5-8/175/4.4)
Riverside Military Academy (Lawrenceville, GA)
When I watched Robinson's video, I was expecting to see a finesse runner, much like our own Darius Walker. What I ended up seeing was a small locomotive, a kid that fights for every year, makes sure he gets upfield on his cuts and keeps his legs pumping hard when making contact. Another thing I liked about this kid is he wasn't afraid to mix it up inside and take it up the middle. As a junior in 2005, Carl carried the ball 222 times for 2,103 yards (9.5 average) and 24 scores. He was an all-state selection and selected as the "Area Player of the Year" by The Gainesville Times.
Shane Vereen (5-9/170/4.5)
Valencia High School (Valencia, CA)
While I haven't seen video on this kid, looking at his statistics tells me he would be the ideal back for Charlie Weis' offense. Not only can he run, but he has great hands out of the backfield according to his coach. As a junior, Vereen rushed for 1,638 yards on 169 carries for 28 scores and caught 52 passes for 898 yards and 7 touchdowns. He shared Co-League Back of the Year with Marc Tyler and was an All-CIF selection.
There are several other backs that Notre Dame has courted this season, notably Caleb King, Armando Allen, Joe McKnight, et al, but odds are they stay down South unless something drastically changes. There was word that Texas A&M commit Bradley Stephens reopened his recruitment, but nothign more has come of it, either.
Gerald Jones (6-0/185/4.5)
Millwood High School (Oklahoma City, OK)
In reading on Jones, he has said on multiple occassions that Notre Dame is recruiting him to play both running back and wide receiver. In high school, Jones is an option quarterback that runs frequently as evident by his 200 carries for 1,900 yards (9.4 average) and 24 touchdowns.
Robert Hughes (6-0/220/4.6)
Hubbard High School (Chicago, IL)
One of the most physical guys available, Hughes is definitely a power back that could also transition into a fullback (or even linebacker) at the college level with ease. Last year, he ran for over 1,900 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.
Darren Evans (6-0/207/4.6)
Warren Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)
Playing in an option system, Evans numbers are gaudy. However, if you watch him play within the flow of the Warren Central offense, you'd realize how good he was. In the past two years, Evans has went rushed for over 2,100 yards and scored 27 touchdowns as a sophomore and 39 as a junior. Some have claimed he has a lack of speed, however, he has worked on that and recently clocked a 4.56 at the Louisville Scout combine.
Carl Robinson (5-8/175/4.4)
Riverside Military Academy (Lawrenceville, GA)
When I watched Robinson's video, I was expecting to see a finesse runner, much like our own Darius Walker. What I ended up seeing was a small locomotive, a kid that fights for every year, makes sure he gets upfield on his cuts and keeps his legs pumping hard when making contact. Another thing I liked about this kid is he wasn't afraid to mix it up inside and take it up the middle. As a junior in 2005, Carl carried the ball 222 times for 2,103 yards (9.5 average) and 24 scores. He was an all-state selection and selected as the "Area Player of the Year" by The Gainesville Times.
Shane Vereen (5-9/170/4.5)
Valencia High School (Valencia, CA)
While I haven't seen video on this kid, looking at his statistics tells me he would be the ideal back for Charlie Weis' offense. Not only can he run, but he has great hands out of the backfield according to his coach. As a junior, Vereen rushed for 1,638 yards on 169 carries for 28 scores and caught 52 passes for 898 yards and 7 touchdowns. He shared Co-League Back of the Year with Marc Tyler and was an All-CIF selection.
There are several other backs that Notre Dame has courted this season, notably Caleb King, Armando Allen, Joe McKnight, et al, but odds are they stay down South unless something drastically changes. There was word that Texas A&M commit Bradley Stephens reopened his recruitment, but nothign more has come of it, either.
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