Looking back at the top-ranked running backs from California

With the Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour headed to California this weekend, running back Najee Harris will be one of the main focuses. So we thought it would be interesting to take a look back at the top-rated running backs from California, like Harris, who is currently No. 2 in the Rivals100, in Rivals history.

The skinny: USC, Notre Dame, Texas and Stanford were some of the major players for Bush, but the Trojans were always seen as the team to beat. He made his commitment to USC public at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which did not come as a surprise to many. Bush’s time at USC was memorable. During his 2005 Heisman Trophy winning season, he finished with 1,740 yards rushing, 481 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns. After foregoing his senior season, he was taken second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Bush spent five seasons with the Saints, while experiencing varying degrees of success. After making the move to Miami as a free agent in 2011 and was on the move in 2013 when he decided to sign with Detroit. Two years later, after battling through injuries, Bush was released by the Lions and signed with San Francisco. However, he missed the majority of the 2015 season with the 49ers due to an injury.

Farrell’s take: There is no doubt in my mind now and back in 2003 that Bush was the No. 1 player in the country. However, my vote didn’t count nearly as much as it does today. Bush had one of the best tapes you will ever see from a running back out of high school and he was simply a freak of nature. His career at the college level played out as expected as he was clearly in an elite category and was going to be dominant wherever he went. While No. 1 Ernie Sims had a very good career at Florida State and was a first-round pick, Bush would obviously look much better as the No. 1 in the 2003 class historically and that’s the way it should have been, hands down.

The skinny: After taking official visits to Florida State, USC, Notre Dame and Washington, the Fighting Irish emerged as a favorite leading up to National Signing Day. However, Booker pulled off a stunner during a press conference by announcing his commitment to Florida State. With the Seminoles, Booker began to flourish during his 2005 and 2006 seasons when he totaled 1,168 yards rushing, 749 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round in the 2007 NFL Draft. Despite signing a four-year contract with the Dolphins, Booker was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2007 season after having an unproductive rookie campaign. He again failed to produce with the Eagles, which resulted in him being waived. This led to stints in the United Football League, and then later with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. His stop with the Bears during the 2012 season ended with a trip to the injured reserve list, which resulted in him being cut.

Farrell’s take: You want to talk about hype, Booker was one of the most hyped players in the country in a decade. The recruiting battle was very interesting as there were rumors he told a long-time national recruiting analyst his intention to pick Notre Dame on national television, only to select the Seminoles, much to the surprise of the on-air talent at ESPN. That was just the cherry on the top of the hyped up recruiting process for Booker, a super talented prospect out of California who never really met expectations at FSU or beyond. His size, back in 2002, wasn’t as big an issue as it would be today but he was still one of the best all-purpose backs I’ve seen out of high school. He could cut on a dime and fly.

The skinny: Being the No. 6 recruit in the nation, Scott’s commitment to Colorado came as a surprise to many. He had trimmed his list of favorites down to the Buffaloes, Florida, Texas and LSU. He had originally committed to the Longhorns, before flipping to Colorado. A lackluster freshman season and diminishing carries during his sophomore season led to his transfer to South Florida. He only spent one season with the Bulls, rushing for 814 yards and five touchdowns, before declaring for the 2012 NFL Draft. After going undrafted, Scott signed a free agent deal with Dallas. He was on the practice squad for the majority of the season, but was cut in early 2013 without ever making the active roster.

Farrell’s take: It’s puzzling to understand why Scott, one of Colorado’s top recruits in Rivals.com history, turned out to be a bust for the most part. Perhaps it was his drive or work ethic because it certainly was not his talent. Scott had good size, he was a powerful, decisive runner and he was shifty enough despite being a bit upright. There seem to be as many running back busts in Rivals history than most positions so perhaps he peaked in high school and we just didn’t know it but this guy should have been a big-time college player.

The skinny: Mixon took his five official visits to Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida State, California and Washington before committing to the Sooners a few days after the beginning of the new year in 2014. Mixon’s time at Oklahoma did not begin in a promising manner as he received a misdemeanor assault charge during the 2014 season. After receiving a one-year deferred sentence, community service and counseling, Mixon found his way back to the field in 2015. Splitting carries with Samaje Perine, Mixon finished with 749 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Farrell’s take: Mixon will probably be remembered, at least for the next few years, for his assault on a woman that led to a one-year suspension, but his talent was off the charts out of high school and he still has a great future on the field if he can keep himself together. Mixon was a big, upright runner who could catch the ball like a wide receiver, so his versatility is really what stood out to me. He has the speed, athleticism and agility to be a superstar down the line and a surefire NFL guy, but the off-field issues will lead to continued questions.

The skinny: Lucky committed to Nebraska during his senior season over offers from USC, Washington and Florida. Lucky split carries during his first two seasons, before rushing for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns, plus grabbing 75 receptions for 705 yards and three touchdowns, during the 2007 season. Injuries hampered Lucky’s productivity during his senior season, which ultimately led to him going undrafted in 2009. His only attempt, which proved unsuccessful, in the NFL came with Cincinnati in 2009. This was followed by multiple stops in the United Football League and then Champions Indoor Football, in cities like Omaha, Lincoln and Sioux City.

Farrell’s take: Lucky was a talented guy out of high school, a fast yet powerful runner who could also catch the ball so when he committed to Bill Callahan and the new Nebraska offense, much was expected. It took him awhile to hit his stride and he showed some of that versatility before an injury essentially ended all progress. So much was expected of Lucky that he goes down as a bust for sure, but anyone who saw him in high school will tell you this kid had it all.

The skinny: Baxter, who committed to USC more than 18 months prior to his National Signing Day, kept his word, but not until he took official visits to both Michigan and Oregon in January. Baxter’s collegiate career was full of turmoil, but lacking any productivity. After dealing with off-the-field and NCAA issues, Baxter transferred out of USC during his sophomore season and eventually resurfaced at San Diego State. However, after breaking team rules, he was dismissed from the program in 2012 before he ever saw the field. He found his way to Baker University, a NAIA program in Kansas, where he played two seasons. Going undrafted in 2014, Baxter had tryouts with both Seattle and San Diego, but was unable to make either roster.

Farrell’s Take: Baxter had it all and was an elite athlete, playing quarterback, running back and wide receiver at different times in his high school career. He had elusiveness, tremendous burst and he ran with authority and power. He derailed his career with off-field issues and never panned out at two different schools and he’s a great example of how on-field talent can be simply wasted with poor decision making.

The skinny: Tyler was an early commitment to USC and firmly stuck with his word throughout his process. A serious knee injury during his senior season also strengthened his bond with the Trojans, as the school continued to fully support him. Tyler played behind a deep stable of running backs at USC, while also dealing with his knee recovery. This combination never allowed him to fulfill his lofty expectations. He finished his four-year career at USC with 1,751 yards and 15 touchdowns. After going undrafted in 2012, Tyler had a tryout with Green Bay, but failed to make the roster.

Farrell’s take: Tyler, the son of former Rams running back Wendell Tyler, was injured during his senior season and he just never recovered to be the same back. A logjam at running back at USC didn’t help, but it was really the knee issue that led to a very average career. He, like many others on the list, had the size and speed combination college and NFL teams drool over.

The skinny: Johnson committed to USC a few days before National Signing Day after taking official visits to check out the Trojans, Washington and Georgia. Johnson had two productive seasons with the Trojans but never truly lived up to the expectations. His time at USC was also marred with a weightlifting accident when a barbell fell on his throat during the 2009 season. After going undrafted in 2010, he spent the better parts of the next four seasons with Tennessee and Washington, but never saw the field during this time.

Farrell’s take: Johnson set city records at Dorsey as a running back and he was also an exceptional defensive player. He loved to deliver punishment and was one of the more physical runners on this list. He took time to develop at USC and was part of that logjam mentioned above with Tyler and his weight lifting injury is one of the scariest things you’ll see. He had a nice couple years but didn’t live up to expectations.

The skinny: Lynch took official visits to Cal, Washington State and Oregon before coming to the Golden Bears on National Signing Day. Splitting carries as a true freshman, Lynch still totaled 775 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. As the primary back over his next two seasons, Lynch flourished, rushing for 2,602 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2005 and 2006. Foregoing his senior season, Lynch was selected with the 12th overall pick by Buffalo in 2007. Despite rushing for over 1,000 yards twice with the Bills, he was traded to Seattle during the 2010 season. With the Seahawks he prospered, becoming one of the top backs in the league while helping lead Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowls. After dealing with injuries during the 2015 season, Lynch announced his retirement on Feb. 7, 2016.

Farrell’s take: Lynch was a beast in high school as well and was three spots shy of being a five-star, one of those rankings that I still kick myself about but again I didn’t have as much say back then as I do now. He wasn’t nearly as big as he is now, but he was compact and powerful and actually hand good hands as well coming out of high school. He also played some linebacker and he simply loved contact and is one of the more physical runners I can remember. Most top high school runners simply outrun their opponents at that level and Lynch did his share of that, but he also liked running over people.

The skinny: Freeman trimmed his list to Oregon, UCLA, USC and Florida before committing to the Ducks during the summer leading up to his senior season. At Oregon, Freeman has been one of the more productive backs in the country over the last two seasons. After rushing for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns as a true freshman, he followed that up in 2015 with 1,838 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 1,838 yards during his sophomore season also set a single-season record for Oregon, surpassing the 1,805 yards achieved by LaMichael James in 2011.

Farrell’s take: We knew Freeman was good as a top 60 prospect with great size, but we didn't know he'd fit so well into the speedy offense of Oregon where the smaller, slashing backs tend to get the attention. He has been the best player on a team that came on at the end of the season and his production on the ground and in the passing game has been invaluable. He has increased his quickness in college like many of the other top running backs and he's tough to bring down like he was out of high school.