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Ranking the best QB-RB recruit duos in Rivals.com history

Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.

With the recent commitment of quarterback Justin Fields to Georgia, he combines with running back Zamir White to form one of the best QB-RB duos in Rivals.com history. But while it’s an exciting combination on paper, history shows that things don’t always work out for both. Here are the top combinations in our long history.

RELATED: Looking back on past top 10 QB duos in Rivals.com history

No. 1 -  2004: Adrian Peterson (1); Rhett Bomar (4)           

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Rhett Bomar
Rhett Bomar (AP Images)

The skinny: This is the definition of feast or famine. Peterson became one of the most successful players in Oklahoma history, while becoming an All-American and finishing second for the 2004 Heisman Trophy. In the NFL he has made the Pro Bowl seven times, won the MVP in 2012 and is a definite Hall of Fame lock when he becomes eligible. Bomar’s career at Oklahoma also started off on a positive note, but then he was dismissed in 2006 after he received payments from a local car dealership which was owned by a Sooners’ booster. He continued to excel at Sam Houston State, but never made an impact in the NFL after being drafted in the fifth round.

Farrell’s take: Peterson obviously worked out and it’s likely that Bomar would have as well had he not had off-field issues. This was supposed to be a duo that could lead the Sooners to a national title but it never came together with much success. They played together in 2005 with Peterson working through injury and Bomar setting an Oklahoma freshman record with 2,018 passing yards but after that season Bomar was dismissed and the dynamic duo was broken up. Looking back, there was no doubt that Peterson was a lock for stardom barring injury or off field issues but we overshot on Bomar.

No. 2 -  2018: Justin Fields (2); Zamir White (7)

Justin Fields
Justin Fields (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

The skinny: White got the ball rolling with his late June commitment to Georgia. White, who chose the Bulldogs over Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and North Carolina, was a huge recruiting victory for Kirby Smart and his staff. Fields was more of a longshot initially as he initially made his commitment to Penn State but then re-opened his recruitment as additional offers began flooding in. While he also considered Florida State, Florida and LSU, keeping Fields in-state was another huge recruiting victory for the Bulldogs and gives them an incredible one-two punch for the future.

Farrell’s take: This looks perfect on paper, but when you look at the others stories you wonder if both will have the amazing careers we project. Fields is a dual-threat who can extend the play and will be a nightmare to handle especially with a running back like White in the backfield. Both look like can’t miss prospects, but we’ve seen that before.

No. 3 -  2015: Josh Rosen (2); Soso Jamabo (22)

Josh Rosen and Soso Jamabo
Josh Rosen and Soso Jamabo (AP Images)

The skinny: For Rosen, it came down to UCLA, Michigan and Stanford, but with the Cardinal not offering and his desire to play closer to home, the Bruins won the race. After a memorable true freshman season for the Bruins, injuries derailed his sophomore season in 2016. Fully healthy this fall, he has once again proven that he is one of the elite quarterbacks in the country. While Rosen stayed close to home, Jamabo chose UCLA over the pull of staying in-state and playing at Texas. He impressed in limited action as a true freshman, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, but has failed to take his game to the next level during the last two seasons with only 537 yards over his last 14 games.

Farrell’s take: Rosen could use the help and Jamabo was an amazing athlete out of high school who hasn’t taken his game to the next level. This was thought to be a potentially lethal combination, especially with Jamabo’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield but while Rosen has shined, Jamabo has been up and down. Rosen was clearly a can’t miss for us, but we have to wonder how Jamabo would have done had he stayed home.

No. 4 -  2013: Max Browne (7); Ty Isaac (27)

Max Browne
Max Browne (AP Images)

The skinny: Browne took several visits during the winter and spring before committing to USC in late April. At USC, Browne was patient before finally earning the starting nod over Sam Darnold in 2016. However, he got benched after a few lackluster outings which eventually led to his graduate transfer to Pittsburgh. Hopes were high in Pittsburgh this season for Browne, but to this point his level of play has been disappointing and now he’s done for the season. Isaac committed to the Trojans over Michigan and Notre Dame despite his Midwest roots. He saw immediate playing time, but soon missed home which led to his transfer to Michigan in 2014. Isaac has been productive with the Wolverines, but he has yet to fully reach his five-star potential in Ann Arbor.

Farrell’s take: Two superstar recruits with both transferring out, not good. Isaac was an upright but big runner that many expected to stay closer to home while Browne was a prolific passer out of Washington who was always a USC lock. Browne never fully developed the downfield vision or clock in his head needed to be great and Isaac has been inconsistent and has yet to put together a big season. Both can be considered busts.

No. 5 -  2002: Gerald Riggs Jr. (12); James Banks (30)

James Banks
James Banks (AP Images)

The skinny: Riggs committed to Tennessee during his senior season. He still took an official visit to Nebraska in January and considered both Michigan and Ohio State, but at the end signed with the Vols. In Knoxville, Riggs never reached his potential, as he was slowed by injuries. After a couple of failed tryouts in the NFL, he played in Europe and the CFL before seeing his playng career end in 2013. Banks took official visits to Tennessee, Florida, Michigan and Purdue before committing to the Vols. At Tennessee he was moved to receiver, before being dismissed for alcohol-related issues. After playing a season at Carson-Newman, he entered the 2008 NFL Draft. He never made an impact in the league and has recently had a few run-ins with the police due to additional alcohol offenses.

Farrell’s take: Wow, another rough combination as Riggs, the son of NFLer Gerald Riggs Sr., was expected to be a superstar and Banks was the dual-threat who was going to be the next Tee Martin at Tennessee. Banks was moved to wide receiver and could have been a very good one had he been able to avoid off-field issues. He showed promise at quarterback and wide receiver but never panned out at either in the end but it wasn’t due to a lack of talent.

No. 6 -  2007: Joe McKnight (2); Aaron Corp (44)

Joe McKnight
Joe McKnight (AP Images)

The skinny: Hoping to become the next Reggie Bush, McKnight committed to USC over LSU on Signing Day. His career at USC never reached its potential, due to injuries, inconsistent play and then an NCAA investigation. Selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, McKnight played four years in the league before also seeing time in the CFL. Sadly, in Dec. 2016 he was fatally shot in Louisiana during an apparent road rage incident. After missing out on quarterback Jimmy Clausen, the Trojans turned their attention to Corp, who committed in May a couple of weeks after picking up an offer. Corp only attempted 30 passes during his three years on campus, before transferring to Richmond, where he played two seasons. He had tryouts with Buffalo, Dallas and Miami but never made an active NFL roster.

Farrell’s take: McKnight was supposed to be Reggie Bush and Corp was supposed to be the next Heisman quarterback. McKnight had a solid career but fell short of those massive expectations while Corp sat behind Mark Sanchez and then got injured as he battled Matt Barkley for the starting job.

No. 7 -  2012: Jameis Winston (10); Mario Pender (38)

Jamies Winston and Mario Pender
Jamies Winston and Mario Pender (AP Images)

The skinny: After committing to Florida State in August, Winston still took official visits to Alabama, LSU and Stanford, before re-affirming his commitment after an official visit to Tallahassee. Winston enjoyed a remarkable 2013 season which resulted in the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship for the Seminoles. Drafted with the No. 1 overall pick by Tampa Bay in 2015, Winston has had two productive seasons and is the midst of a third. Pender, who committed to Florida State during his junior season, took official visits to West Virginia and Tennessee during his senior season but still signed with the 'Noles. Pender’s career showed promise in 2014, but a collapsed lung in 2015 slowed his progress and finally an arrest led to his dismissal from the program in 2016.

Farrell’s take: Winston was a superstar and many feel Pender could have been had it not been for the injury and off-field issues, but once again a highly-ranked duo fell short. Winston was a Heisman winner and crucial to winning a national title while Pender never really got started.

No. 8 -  2015: Damien Harris (8); Blake Barnett (41)

Damien Harris
Damien Harris (AP Images)

The skinny: Harris initially committed to Michigan, but with Brady Hoke’s firing he began to look around. He gave a long look at Kentucky and Ohio State before eventually committing to the Crimson Tide. As with most Alabama players, Harris waited his turn, but has shined when given the opportunity. He currently has 500 yards rushing and a team-leading seven touchdowns through six games. Barnett initially committed to Notre Dame, but re-opened his recruitment during the summer. Oregon was thought to be the favorite at that point, but he committed to Bama two weeks later. Barnett started the first game in 2016, but quickly lost the job to Jalen Hurts, which led to his mid-season transfer to Arizona State. Barnett was granted a waiver to play in 2017 but has seen limited action with the Sun Devils this fall.

Farrell’s take: Harris is having a great season and has earned the No. 1 running back job this season while Barnett was a starter for one game, lost the job to Jalen Hurts and quit. Harris was a can’t miss out of Kentucky and is starting to show that talent while Barnett was a one-time five-star but dropped due to accuracy issues. They are great examples of opposite approaches as Harris fought through competition to earn his time while Barnett just transferred out as so many prospects do these days.

No. 9 -  2003: Kyle Wright (5); Tyrone Moss (44)

Kyle Wright
Kyle Wright (AP Images)

The skinny: Miami, USC and Tennessee were the major players for Wright, but when it came down to make a decision he committed to the Canes. Wright’s college career at Miami never truly materialized, as he passed for 5,835 yards, 38 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in his three seasons. After going undrafted in 2008, Wright had tryouts with Minnesota and San Francisco, but never made an active NFL roster. Moss committed to Miami, but then took multiple official visits before re-affirming with the Canes. He rushed for 1,942 yards and 26 touchdowns during his four seasons in Coral Gables, but never saw his career materialize professionally.

Farrell’s take: Wright was supposed to be a can’t miss, the fourth highest-ranked quarterback on this list, but could never put it together. He had a very average career but, based on expectations, he was considered a bust. Moss had a solid career but backed up Frank Gore and Jarrett Payton and then lost the gig to Javarris James his senior year. Moss never emerged as the heir apparent to Willis McGahee as some expected.

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