I debated whether or not to post this, since it is just dredging up stuff from the Dan Hawkins era, but I was curious so I looked at the top ranked running back prospect from each recruiting cycle between 2003-14 to see just how unlucky the Buffs were with the lack of production they got out of Darrell Scott. Running back always seems to be one of the easiest position to project in terms of rankings, and sure enough, most of the No. 1 backs turned out to be studs. Scott easily the biggest bust. The celebration over his signing was warranted given how most top-ranked backs turn out.
2003 - Reggie Bush (USC): Two-time consensus All-American; Super Bowl Champion
2004 - Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma): Unanimous All-American; NFL MVP
2005 - Jonathan Stewart (Oregon): First-team all-Pac-10, 7-year NFL veteran
2006 - Chris Wells (Ohio State): All-Big Ten, first round draft pick
2008 - Darrell Scott (Colorado): Only averaged 417 yards in three seasons, two at CU and one at South Florida before declaring early for the NFL Draft; signed as free agent but quickly cut by the Cowboys
2009 - Bryce Brown (Tennessee): Rocky college career due to off-the-field issues, but loads of talent and still an active player in the NFL
2010 - Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina): First-team all-SEC before injuring knee
2011 - Malcolm Brown (Texas): Top 10 rusher in Texas history, named second-team all-Big 12 both as a junior and senior
2012 - Johnathan Gray (Texas): Rushed for 2,118 yards in three seasons as Brown's back-up... solid 4.7 career yards per carry average.
2013 - Derrick Green (Michigan): Averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per carry as a sophomore and started all seven games before getting sidelined with an injury
2014 - Leonard Fournette (LSU): Rushed for 1,034 yards and showed a lot of potential as a true freshman; as long as he stays healthy will be All-American candidate and NFL Draft pick.
This post was edited on 3/9 9:59 PM by Adam Munsterteiger
2003 - Reggie Bush (USC): Two-time consensus All-American; Super Bowl Champion
2004 - Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma): Unanimous All-American; NFL MVP
2005 - Jonathan Stewart (Oregon): First-team all-Pac-10, 7-year NFL veteran
2006 - Chris Wells (Ohio State): All-Big Ten, first round draft pick
2008 - Darrell Scott (Colorado): Only averaged 417 yards in three seasons, two at CU and one at South Florida before declaring early for the NFL Draft; signed as free agent but quickly cut by the Cowboys
2009 - Bryce Brown (Tennessee): Rocky college career due to off-the-field issues, but loads of talent and still an active player in the NFL
2010 - Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina): First-team all-SEC before injuring knee
2011 - Malcolm Brown (Texas): Top 10 rusher in Texas history, named second-team all-Big 12 both as a junior and senior
2012 - Johnathan Gray (Texas): Rushed for 2,118 yards in three seasons as Brown's back-up... solid 4.7 career yards per carry average.
2013 - Derrick Green (Michigan): Averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per carry as a sophomore and started all seven games before getting sidelined with an injury
2014 - Leonard Fournette (LSU): Rushed for 1,034 yards and showed a lot of potential as a true freshman; as long as he stays healthy will be All-American candidate and NFL Draft pick.
This post was edited on 3/9 9:59 PM by Adam Munsterteiger
