Scouting the pro prospects: Running backs

The 2008 running back class could have been a stellar one. Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and Chris Henry -- three of the first four running backs selected last April -- left early for the NFL, depleting the senior talent at the position.

Despite being 5-9, Mike Hart is very physical. (AP)

Pending the influx of underclassmen like Arkansas' Darren McFadden and West Virginia's Steve Slaton, this is one of the weakest classes of senior runners in recent memory. McFadden is considered by many to be the elite talent, regardless of position, in the country.

Michigan's Mike Hart is the sole running back rated as a potential first-round pick by NFLDraftScout.com -- and at 5-feet-9, 195 pounds he is far from the prototype scouts seek. Closer to the physical makeup of a typical NFL back are Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice and Oklahoma's Patrick Allen. Scouts will also find the speed and receiving ability of East Carolina's Chris Johnson and Kentucky's Rafael Little intriguing.

The cupboard is much better stocked at fullback, a long-lost position that appears to be making a slow comeback at the NFL level. The talent is so rich at the position this year that a handful of fullbacks could earn first-day grades, and one has already been invited to the East-West Shrine Game.

An in-depth look at my current Top 10 senior running backs for the 2008 draft:

1. Mike Hart, Michigan, 5-9, 195, 4.57 (40-yard dash)

Tashard Choice (AP)

Knock his size all you like, the fact is Hart is a physical back whose vision and burst make him a threat to break long gains every time he touches the ball.

A difference-maker since he stepped onto the field for Michigan and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors with 1,455 rushing yards and nine scores, Hart passed Anthony Thomas earlier this year for the most rushing yards in school history.

2. Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech, 5-11, 208, 4.57

Originally signing with Oklahoma, Choice elected to transfer to Georgia Tech to get an opportunity to start. Last year -- his first as the full-time starter -- he proved his decision was a wise one, rushing for an ACC-leading 1,473 yards.

Allen Patrick (Getty Images)

A physical north-south runner, Choice has struggled with a hamstring injury for much of the 2007 season and still leads the ACC with 840 rushing yards while averaging 120 per game, 12th-best in the nation.

3. Allen Patrick, Oklahoma, 6-1, 195, 4.45

Rather than transfer out of Oklahoma as Choice did, Allen transferred in as a JUCO All-American, bid his time, and has proven this season to be the explosive runner he appeared last year as Adrian Peterson's primary backup.

He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention after rushing for more than 100 yards in four games.

Ryan Torain (AP)

Like Peterson, Allen has an upright running style, good power and pure breakaway speed.

4. Ryan Torain, Arizona State, 6-0, 215, 4.54

After a successful JUCO career at Butler Community College, Torain transferred to Arizona State and quickly established himself as one of the elite backs in the country last season. Despite starting only eight games, Torain finished with 1,229 rushing yards -- the fourth-highest debut performance in Pac-10 history.

A solidly built back with good power and forward lean, Torain has deceptive speed and can gain yardage in chunks. Torain was averaging 5.03 yards per carry before going down with a season-ending toe injury on Oct. 13.

5. Chris Johnson, East Carolina, 5-11, 200, 4.27

Johnson may be the most versatile back in the draft. Blessed with jaw-dropping pure speed, he is equally dangerous as a runner, receiver and return specialist.

Through Oct. 15, he led Conference USA and was third nationally with 210.14 all-purpose yards per game with 530 rushing yards, 291 receiving and 650 on kick returns.

Rafael Little (Getty Images)

Last season he had a team-best 972 all-purpose yards (314 rushing, 176 receiving and 482 kickoff return) after successfully bouncing back from off-season neck surgery that forced him to miss spring practice.

6. Rafael Little, Kentucky, 5-09, 194, 4.49

With all of the attention heaped upon the other skill position players on this team, Little is often left in the shadows. Astute scouts, however, are certainly paying attention.

A dynamic runner with agility and breakaway speed, Little is particularly effective as a receiver out of the backfield.

Peyton Hillis (Getty Images)

He also has proven to be one of the country's most productive punt returners, averaging a staggering 19.2 yards over 35 punts returned in the 2005 and 2006 seasons, although he is averaging just 8.0 on eight returns this year.

7. Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas, 6-2, 262, 4.67

With Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield, it is easy to understand why fans may be overlooking Hillis, but scouts certainly aren't.

Hillis is an effective lead blocker who caught 22 passes through the first six games this season after averaging 23 receptions per year entering his senior season.

Owen Schmitt (Getty Images)

As one would expect of a runner his size, Hillis is powerful, but is almost shockingly elusive -- so much so that he is the team's primary punt returner.

8. Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia, 6-2, 250, 4.73

Traditional lead blocker who can knock the defender out of the hole and clear the way for West Virginia's superstar tandem of quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton.

Schmitt isn't just a human sledge-hammer, however, as he has averaged 6.3 yards per carry through his first 31 games at WVU.

Jerome Felton (Provided to CBSSports.com)

He transferred to West Virginia after starring as a tailback at D-III Wisconsin-River Falls in 2003.

9. Jerome Felton, FB, Furman, 6-0, 246, 4.68

While Hillis and Schmitt have intriguing change-of-pace numbers, Felton is a big back capable of carrying the load.

His combination of power, vision and surprising quickness has already earned him an invite to the East-West Shrine Game.

He holds Southern Conference single game rushing touchdowns record with six and Furman season scoring (140 points) and season rushing touchdowns (23).

Jacob Hester (Getty Images)

10. Jacob Hester, FB, LSU, 5-11, 228, 4.63

There may be other backs with more speed or power, but Hester might just be the nation's most dependable runner.

Capable of handling any role the Tigers ask of him, Hester has demonstrated the ability to run the ball inside and outside, catch out of the backfield, and, of course, operate as a traditional lead blocker.

His tough running and secure ball handling were pivotal in LSU's victory over Florida this year.

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, published by The Sports Xchange.