Mid-Major Fantasy RB Ranks

1.Ian Johnson, Boise State (SR)
Injuries knocked Johnson out of two contests last year and limited him to 207 carries, a slight downgrade from the 276 he had in 2006. The senior running back has been a touchdown machine at Boise State, collecting 45 in three seasons. The Broncos are looking to keep their senior leader fresh for the stretch run, so don’t be surprised if Jeremy Avery, D.J. Harper and Jarvis Hodge all see a significant amount of carries early in the year. Despite the backfield depth at Boise State, Johnson is still the top mid-major running back.

2.Damion Fletcher, Southern Mississippi (JR)
Fletcher has been one of the most underrated backs over the last two seasons and fantasy owners shouldn’t expect much of a drop-off with new head coach Larry Fedora calling the offensive shots. The junior back has collected 2,974 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground while catching 47 receptions for 369 yards. Expect Fletcher to be among the top five fantasy running backs in college football.

3.Rodney Ferguson, New Mexico (SR)
Ferguson is an absolute workhorse in the Lobo backfield. Despite missing the New Mexico Bowl due to academic issues, he totaled 1,177 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. In 2006, Ferguson rushed for 1,234 yards and seven touchdowns, along with catching 28 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns. The Lobos are breaking in a couple of new starters on the offensive line, but this didn’t appear to be a concern in the spring. Look for Ferguson to carry the ball more than 290 times while posting career numbers in touchdowns and yardage.

4.Harvey Unga, BYU (SO)
Unga was largely an unknown going into last season, but quickly emerged as one of the top backs in the Mountain West. In his redshirt freshman season, the 243-pound back rushed for 1,227 yards and 13 touchdowns, while catching 44 passes for 655 yards and four touchdowns. The Cougars expect Unga to show continued improvement in his second year as a starter and should be considered one of the top ten fantasy backs for 2008.

5.Eugene Jarvis, Kent State (JR)
If asked to name the nation’s top returning rusher, not many people would guess Jarvis would be the pick – but that’s exactly the case. The 5’5” running back totaled 1,669 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground last year while catching 23 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns. Despite his small stature, Jarvis is one of the nation’s top fantasy running backs and showed plenty of durability after totaling 279 rushing attempts last year. Expect another solid year from Jarvis in 2008.

6.Luke Lippincott, Nevada (SR)
Although Boise State’s Ian Johnson gets all of the pub in the WAC, Lippincott was actually the top fantasy back from the conference last year. In 13 games, Lippincott rushed for 1,420 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 26 receptions for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Fantasy owners should expect another solid season, but a slight drop in numbers is possible. Backup Brandon Fragger is expected to see a few more carries in 2008, which means Lippincott is unlikely to top his 2007 numbers.

7.Justin Anderson, Northern Illinois (JR)
Northern Illinois has a history of cranking out running backs and Anderson appears to be the next great back in NIU history. The junior rushed for 1,245 yards and eight touchdowns, while catching 45 balls for 263 yards and three touchdowns last season. New head coach Jerry Kill will make a few offensive tweaks, but he’ll continue to pound the rock behind Anderson and a solid offensive line. Look for Anderson to continue posting solid fantasy numbers, but a drop in receptions appears likely.

8.Darrell Mack, Utah (SR)
Mack was slated to redshirt in 2007, but injuries riddled the Utah backfield, forcing the senior into action. In his first two seasons of action, Mack had 320 rushing yards and one touchdown – but rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. The senior will remain the Utes top running back, but Matt Asiata will see 5-10 carries per game. Consider Mack as a second or third running back for your roster.

9.Ryan Mathews, Fresno State (SO)
Fresno State has no shortage of options at running back, but Mathews is taking the lead for the starting role in 2008. In his freshman season, Mathews totaled 866 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Mathews' 14 rushing touchdowns placed him in a tie for tenth among running backs and with more carries expected in 2008, look for an increase in yardage and receptions. Owners in keeper leagues also have to like this young back’s potential over the next three years.

10.James Starks, Buffalo (JR)
The Bulls are close to contending for a  MAC East crown and one of the main reasons why is the play of Starks. After rushing for 704 yards and six touchdowns in his redshirt freshman season, Starks totaled 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns last season – a significant improvement from his first season. The Bulls will continue to lean on Starks to win games in 2008 and owners should expect this junior to top his 2007 numbers.

11.Aaron Brown, TCU (SR)
12.Tyrell Fenroy, UL Lafayette (SR)
13.Deonte Jackson, Idaho (SO)
14.Patrick Jackson, Louisiana Tech (SR)
15.Tarrion Adams, Tulsa (SR)
16.Brandon West, Western Michigan (JR)
17.Anthony Turner, Bowling Green (SR)
18.Justin Hoskins, Central Michigan (SR)
19.Reggie Arnold, Arkansas State (JR)
20.Frank Summers, UNLV (SR)
21.Kyle Bell, Colorado State (SR)
22.Charles Clay, Tulsa (SO)
23.Andre Anderson, Tulane (JR)
24.DaJuane Collins, Toledo (JR)
25.Frank Goodin, UL Monroe (SO)
26.Tyrell Hayden, WKU (JR)
27.Jeremy Avery, Boise State (SO)
28.Darius Marshall, Marshall (SO)
29.Chris Garrett, Ohio (JR)
30.Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State (SR)
31.Courtney Tennial, Tulsa (SR)
32.Devin Moore, Wyoming (SR)
33.Charles Pierre, FAU (SR)
34.Wynel Seldon, Wyoming (SR)
35.Thomas Merriweather, Miami-OH (SO)
36.Lonyae Miller, Fresno State (JR)
37.Desmond Gee, MTSU (JR)
38.MiQuale Lewis, Ball State (JR)
39.Andre Kohn, Houston (SO)
40.Dennis Kennedy, Akron (SR)