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Published Aug 14, 2018
Rivals Ranking Week: Which RB should be ranked higher?
Nick Krueger and Chad Simmons
Rivals.com

Countless debates go into each Rivals rankings update and one particular topic we are spotlighting in today's Rival Views is which running back should be ranked higher - Noah Cain or John Emery.

RIVALS RANKING WEEK: Should Theo Wease or Jadon Haselwood be the No. 1 WR?

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KRUEGER’S VIEW: NOAH CAIN

Before anything is said about Noah Cain’s ranking or ability, the biggest thing that he has to deal with that Emery doesn’t is playing alongside Trey Sanders at IMG Academy, who is very clearly the best running back in the country. If Cain was the only running back there, the perception about him would be different, but I know that part of the reason that the move to IMG was attractive to him in the first place was that he wouldn’t get ‘run into the ground’ during his high school career.

In the long run, Cain’s success as a player at the next level will have less to do with his natural ability – of which he has plenty – and more to do with picking the right program and system for him.

Between Cain and Emery, I don’t think either is the ‘burstiest’ back in the class, but where Cain is the more effective runner is his quickness through gaps at the line and overall better run power. When either back gets a head of steam, they’re both tough to stop in-stride. But Cain looks to have the more powerful run base and when he leans into a move, even winning the leverage battle with him is a 50-50 proposition as to whether or not a tackle will be made.

Cain will do well in a power running offense that lets him pick his gap and muscle through. As a pass-catcher, Cain is a strong receiver but probably won’t be split out or lined up in the slot a whole bunch. Cain is more of a complete running back than he’s probably given credit for, but with his size and power, he gets the edge as one of the top runners in the country.

SIMMONS' VIEW: JOHN EMERY

Each time I see John Emery in person, I leave more impressed. He is one of the most complete running backs in this class. I saw him as a freshman and he was impressive then, but to see how he has grown and produced the last couple of years has put him in this discussion.

He has great size, speed, vision, balance and hands. There is not much he cannot do. He had a strong summer and he has continued to ascend. I will see him again early in September, so he will again have his chance to make his case as one of the best in the country. He was known for speed early in his high school career, but he has filled out his frame, added strength and blossomed into one of the premier prospects in the country. He is committed to Georgia and he will make that running back room that much stronger in 2019.

Georgia looks like a perfect fit for his style of play. Emery is a bigger back with size to play in the SEC and he should excel between the hedges.

#RivalsRankingsWeek Schedule

Monday: Who could land in new top 10? | Top 10 players revealed | Who is top wide receiver? | Could McCoy make push for No. 1?

Tuesday: Is there a 5-star QB in 2019? | Is Theo Wease worthy of No. 1 consideration? | New Rivals100 released | Farrell's Mind of Mike | Rival Views | Godfather & Gorney podcast

Wednesday: New Rivals250 released | Rival Views | For which prospect did each analyst go to bat? | Five schools that should be most pleased with new rankings | Players who could finish in Rivals100

Thursday: Rivals250 by the numbers | QB rankings | RB rankings | WR/TE rankings | OL rankings | Rivals Rankings podcast | Commitment Issues podcast

Friday: DL rankings | LB rankings | DB rankings | ATH rankings

Saturday: Team rankings breakdown

Sunday: Mid-Atlantic states rankings | Southeast states | Midwest states | Texas | Florida | West

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