Ask Farrell: Which 2020 RBs are going to rise to the top?

One position that is going to spark a lot of heated discussion and debate through this recruiting cycle will be running back, especially because of some major performances so far this summer - or lack thereof.

The top three running backs in the 2020 class - five-stars Zachary Evans, Demarkcus Bowman and Kendall Milton - opted not to attend the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas, and that won’t necessarily hurt their rankings, but four-star Bijan Robinson went to Atlanta and completely dominated the event.

MORE ASK FARRELL: How did top 2021 QBs look at the Five-Star Challenge?

CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals100 | Position | Team | State

Robinson, rated fourth at the position out of Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe, was phenomenal through the Los Angeles regional event and then went to the Five-Star Challenge and was clearly one of the best players.

But Evans could be one of the best running backs to ever come out of Texas, Bowman had a special junior season and has excellent film and Milton is a machine who has tremendous speed and power and could be one of the most special running backs in recent years.

Robinson has definitely made an argument for five-star status and then there is some excellent film of Miami (Fla.) Belen Jesuit Prep’s Don Chaney as well from this offseason.

South Carolina commit MarShawn Lloyd is no shrinking violet, and then Oklahoma commit Jase McClellan, four-star Jalen Berger, four-star Ashaad Johnson and Alabama pledge Roydell Williams round out the top 10.

Running back is a tremendously interesting position especially after some big summer performances - or disappearing acts. We ask Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell how he feels about guys at the top.

“Robinson was very impressive at the Five-Star Challenge in the one-on-ones, but he did miss much of the 7-on-7 portion, so he didn’t dominate from start to finish as we’ve seen from other backs such as Najee Harris and Cam Akers. But he will be in the discussion.

"However, Evans is a special talent, I like Bowman a ton and Milton is a beast -- although I worry about his speed a little bit. It will be an interesting debate as to the order of the running backs and if someone else gains a fifth star. Missing events like the Five-Star Challenge or The Opening doesn’t hurt anyone, but it does allow others to make a case for moving ahead of them. But I like the top three as they are right now. Whether the rest of the analysts agree will be determined.”