2020 Position Rankings release: Running back
Rivals.com continues to roll out its position rankings with a look at the running backs, many of which remain uncommitted at this early juncture. The position’s top dog, Zachary Evans is the lone five-star of the group but the depth at work is more than impressive. Below, is a brief overview of this storylines at work within this class of young backs.
CLASS OF 2020 RUNNING BACK RANKINGS: RB | APB
THURSDAY: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers/Tight Ends | Offensive line
FRIDAY: Defensive line | Linebackers | Defensive backs | Athletes
MORE: Class of 2020 Rivals100 | Rivals250
TEAM WITH TOP COMMIT: OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma has a pair of four-star running back commits in Jase McClellan and Jaylan Knighton. McClellan, who ranks as the No. 18 overall tailback in the 2020 class, leads the way and holds a number of major offers. The Sooners will have to hold off Texas and others in order to sign the Lone Star State-based star, but there’s plenty of reason for optimism on that front. McClellan has been committed to OU for nearly a year and the bond between the back and the coaching staff has strengthened with time.
TEAM TO WATCH: TEXAS
Texas will continue to recruit McClellan, but the Longhorns may well end with an even bigger prize. Tom Herman’s program has become one of the favorites to land Zachary Evans, who is ranked as the top running back in the country. A five-star prospect based in Houston, Evans is high on both UT and LSU, but the in-state school gets the benefit of the doubt for now. Even if Texas misses on Evans, however, it’s a good year for running backs in the state, so Herman is likely make waves.
PLAYER TO WATCH: KENDALL MILTON
It will be up to Kendall Milton to overtake Evans, and such a thing is by no means an impossibility. The California-based Milton ranks just nine spots below Evans in the Rivals250 and will spend the year ahead nipping at his heels.
As for Milton’s recruitment, most seem to assume he’ll land at USC, which tends to have its way with top in-state prospects. Alabama, Florida State, Cal and Oregon are also in play, and it’s hard to count some of those names out of anyone’s recruitment. Milton will likely land at USC, but it’s early and he has a list of suitors that could produce some drama.
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE
Monday: Revealing the top 10 players | Making the Case: Three who could land in top 10 | Who is the toughest to rank in 2020?
Tuesday: New Rivals100 | Mind of Mike: Farrell reacts to new R100 | Who should be No. 1 in 2020? | Will No. 1 player in 2020 head to Clemson?
Wednesday: The inital Rivals250 for 2020 | Five teams that should be pleased the most with new R250 | Rival Views: Who should top DL be? | Godfather and Gorney Podcast
Thursday: QB rankings | RB rankings | WR/TE rankings | OL rankings | Rivals Rankings Podcast | Commitment Issues Podcast | New Rivals250 by the numbers | Is Florida the team to beat for Manuel?
Friday: DL rankings | LB rankings | DB rankings | ATH rankings | Take Two
Saturday: Team rankings breakdown
Sunday: Mid-Atlantic states rankings | Southeast states | Midwest states | Texas | Florida | West states