By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.

Four of the top five rushers from 2005 are gone. DeAngelo Williams, Jerome Harrison, Reggie Bush and Laurence Maroney are headed to the NFL. However, there will not be a shortage of talented rushers on Saturdays this fall. Here are the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning running backs.

1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma, JR, 6-1, 215
Peterson's disappointing 2005 campaign was hardly a sophomore slump. While he was limited by injuries, inexperience along the offensive line and dismal quarterback play from first-year starter Rhett Bomar were the bigger factors that contributed to Peterson's reduced numbers. With a far more established supporting cast this fall, Peterson's production should mirror that of his freshman season in 2004, when he ran for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns.


2. Michael Bush, Louisville, SR, 6-2, 246
Bush rushed for 1,143 yards and 23 touchdowns on 205 carries as a junior in 2005, despite missing two games due to an ankle sprain. On top of his outstanding combination of size and speed as a runner, Bush is a weapon as a receiver out of the backfield. Few teams in the nation boast a better backfield than Louisville has in Bush and QB Brian Brohm.


3. Jamaal Charles, Texas, SO, 6-1, 195
Despite sharing time at the tailback position and missing time due to a nagging ankle injury, Charles rushed for 878 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2005, earning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors. It won't be as easy this time around without QB Vince Young demanding so much attention. However, Charles has a season of experience under his belt and -- perhaps more importantly -- an offseason of strength and conditioning to rely upon when the going gets tough late in games.


4. Steve Slaton, West Virginia, SO, 5-10, 185
Slaton began his freshman fall practice last year as West Virginia's fourth-team tailback behind Jason Colson, Pernell Williams and highly touted recruit Jason Gwaltney, who has transferred to Nassau Community College. By season's end, Slaton rushed for 1,128 yards, which was 625 more than those three combined. Slaton and dual-threat QB Pat White should become a record-smashing backfield tandem for the Mountaineers over the next few years.


5. Marshawn Lynch, Cal, JR, 5-11, 206
Lynch rushed for 1,246 yards as a first-year starter last season despite missing two games due to injury. He will still share some carries with Justin Forsett, who impressed with an average of 7.6 yards per carry as Lynch's backup and injury replacement. But as long as Lynch stays healthy and continues to progress, he should see twice as many carries this season, which could equate to 2,000-plus rushing yards.


6. Kenny Irons, Auburn, SR, 5-11, 202
Irons made a statement when he rushed for 1,259 of his 1,293 yards in Auburn's final 10 games of the 2005 season. With a fine combination of size and speed to go along with his punishing north-south running style, Irons should continue to grind through SEC defenses as a senior this fall.


7. Darren McFadden, Arkansas, SO, 6-2, 210
It didn't take long for this highly touted freshman to prove his billing as a first-rate ball carrier last season. McFadden rushed for 1,113 yards on just 176 carries (an impressive 6.3 yards per carry). With nine other returning starters on the Razorbacks' offense, McFadden should rank among the elite rushers in the nation. His versatility as a receiver should be on display in Arkansas' more wide-open offense.


8. Mike Hart, Michigan, JR, 5-9, 197
The Wolverines realized Hart's value to their offense when he was limited to just 150 carries during an injury-plagued sophomore season in 2005. Hart lacks ideal size, so it will be important for the Michigan coaching staff to monitor his carries and health closely. If Michigan can keep him involved in all 12 games this season, Hart could be in the Heisman Trophy running, and the Wolverines could be in the national championship hunt.


9. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern, SO, 5-9, 190
Sutton had a chip on his shoulder after being snubbed in recruiting by several powerhouse programs in the Midwest. After watching the elusive freshman bedazzle defenses to the tune of 1,870 yards of total offense last season, it's safe to say that Sutton got the last laugh. Next up for the sophomore is to prove his worth without veteran QB Bret Basanez in the backfield.


10. James Davis, Clemson, SO, 5-11, 210
Davis proved to be an offensive spark plug when healthy as a freshman last season. Clemson was undefeated in the five games that Davis finished with 15 or more carries; the team was 3-4 in the other seven contests. A full offseason of training should lead to a more durable Davis in 2005. With all five starting offensive linemen returning, Davis should put up monster numbers as the Tigers' offensive focal point.

The next best 15:
11. Kenneth Darby, Alabama, senior
12. Lorenzo Booker, Florida State, senior
13. Gary Russell, Minnesota, junior
14. Albert Young, Iowa, junior
15. Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State, junior
16. Brian Leonard (FB), Rutgers, senior
17. Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois, senior
18. Tyrone Moss, Miami, senior
19. Darius Walker, Notre Dame, junior
20. Alley Broussard, LSU, senior
21. Lynell Hamilton, San Diego State, junior
22. Arian Foster, Tennessee, sophomore
23. Tony Hunt, Penn State, senior
24. Stevie Hicks, Iowa State, senior
25. Kyle Bell, Colorado State, junior



Scouts, Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider. Listen to Todd break down the biggest games and give you all the scores on College GameDay on ESPN Radio every Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. ET. He is also a frequent contributor to ESPNU.

Alright folks time to tune in and speak up. Let us know if you know more than Mr. McShay and why. I would love to hear the reason's this list should be re-ordered.

1 major argument I have is Darius Walker way down in 19 ...i personally think he should atleast be in the top 10 if not higher

Agreed on Walker, he should be higher. I'm biased but there's absolutely no way in hell that OSU RB Antonio Pittman isn't one of the top 15 let alone top 25 RB's in college football after running for 1,300 yards last season as a sophomore.

They have the Big Ten RB's all out of whack on that list.

Peterson at one is a no brainer, Bush at #2 is probably right as well.

Guys that are too high:
1. Mike Hart - WAY too high
2. Lorenzo Booker - I see his High School hype is still there 4 years later.
3. Tyrell Sutton - solid back but Hunt, Pittman, Young and Russell are all better just in the Big Ten.

4. Gary Russell - ONLY because he pretty much flunked out of school and won't be playing this year most likely.

Guys that are too low:
1. Antonio Pittman - how in god's name is he not in this list???
2. Darius Walker - Quinn gets the hype, Walker makes the offense go.
3. Lynell Hamilton - Big time talent, small time school.



Overall, the top 7 or so of the list is pretty good but once you actually have to analyze things and think about where guys go, as usual, ESPN's scouts INC. drops the ball.

Well I know that NU new style will hurt their RBs, but I think that Nebraska should be up there. We have like 4 who are all fighting for spots. So I think NU as a whole will be near the top. But I think Adrian Peterson will be the #1 and a shot at the Heisman!

2 rbs out of this list are out of the season now

Kyle Bell - knee
Michael Bush leg-This will probably kill his draft ....maybe someone will take him in the 1st like they did McGahee

Bush broke a bone, should have a full recovery. And if he chooses he can red shirt.

Doing a follow up will be showing rushing yards and tds

Some big season they missed

Ray Rice 1794 - 20 td

Ian Johnson 1714 - 25 tds

Ahmad Bradshaw 1523 - 19 tds

__________________
i like wow,runescape.lol