Four-Star Checkup: Running backs with impressive Week 2 showings
Every Tuesday during the college football season we look back at former recruits ranked as four-stars and highlight some of the best performances. This week we focus on four-star running backs that turned in impressive showings.
MORE CHECK UPS: Five-star defenders from the 2015 class | 2013 five-stars
As a recruit: Chandler was never one who did a lot of interviews during the recruiting process, choosing to keep a low profile despite offers from many of the Southeast’s best programs. His decision ultimately came down to Ole Miss, Georgia and Tennessee with the in-state Vols nabbing his commitment after laying out a plan for him to make an early impact in Knoxville.
What he did this weekend: Chandler got just four carries in the Vols' lopsided victory over Indiana State but he actually made his biggest impact on special teams, returning the game’s opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. Chandler also had an impressive debut last week in the Vols' win over Georgia Tech. While he’s likely to be a complement to starter John Kelly, Chandler should continue to make big plays as the season moves along.
As a recruit: Freeman saw offers roll in from all over the country during his recruitment, with Alabama and Florida State even reaching out to California to try to grab his attention. But Oregon’s early effort to recruit Freeman paid off and the Ducks nabbed his commitment during the summer of 2013 and he never wavered, only officially visiting Eugene during his recruitment.
What he did this weekend: Keeping Freeman from entering the NFL Draft after taking the job last December was one of new coach Willie Taggart’s biggest victories and it’s paying off in a major way for the Ducks. Against Nebraska on Saturday, Freeman rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns and looks like the back that help Oregon reach the national championship game as a freshman during the 2014-15 season. Expect him to keep getting a lot of touches as the Ducks' season moves along.
As a recruit: Known for his elite speed, Love attracted interest from a wide variety of programs, but most assumed he would stay close to home and play for either North Carolina or NC State. But once Stanford entered the picture his recruitment shifted, with the Cardinal edging out the Tar Heels thanks to an impressive late official visit in January 2015. Love committed to the Cardinal a week before National Signing Day.
What he did this weekend: Love spent his first few years as a complement to Heisman Trophy finalist Christian McCaffrey but now he finds himself firmly in the spotlight as the team’s No. 1 back and he hasn’t disappointed. Even though Stanford came up short in a loss to USC on Saturday, Love finished with 160 yards rushing, including a 75-yard touchdown early in the game. Through two games Love is averaging a whopping 11.3 yards per carry and looks well on his way to a monster season.
As a recruit: Despite ties to the Longhorns, Warren made the Texas fans sweat as he took official visits to Oklahoma State and Texas Tech during January of 2015. But when it came time to announce a decision on National Signing Day he ended up choosing the Longhorns.
What he did this weekend: Warren helped Texas move on from its Week 1 loss to Maryland with a big game, rushing for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the 56-0 win over San Jose State. Warren is now the feature back for the Longhorns and looks more than ready for his time in the spotlight, with Saturday being the fifth 100-yard game in a career that has had only six starts.
