Rivals Rankings Week: Who should be the No. 1 RB in 2022?
The Rivals team of analysts don’t always see eye-to-eye. Today, National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney and National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman debate whether Oklahoma commit Raleek Brown can overtake Georgia pledge Branson Robinson as the top-ranked running back in the class.
TODAY'S NEW POSITION RANKINGS: Running backs | All-purpose backs | Pro-style QBs | Dual-threat QBs
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Monday: Five-star countdown
Tuesday: Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney's thoughts | Biggest movers | Meet the new five-stars | Should Walter Nolen be the No. 1 DL?
Wednesday: QB rankings spotlight | RB rankings spotlight | WR/TE rankings spotlight | OL rankings spotlight
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings
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GORNEY’S TAKE: BROWN
If rankings were solely based on which prospect is the most physically impressive, then this would not be much of a conversation because Robinson is by far one of the best-looking recruits in the class. He’s a Nick Chubb clone and rocked up with muscles everywhere.
But rankings are about projection to college and the NFL Draft. While Robinson could absolutely be a huge success, Brown has so many intangibles that make him an incredibly interesting prospect in his position.
He’s going to Oklahoma so Brown is going to be utilized in every way that works for him whether it’s running the football, catching it out of the backfield or lining up at receiver. He’s getting more physically impressive and keeping his dynamic athletic and make-you-miss ability.
Robinson is more of a one-trick pony which is perfectly fine because he fits perfectly well in Georgia’s offense. But Brown is too good and physically ready to not make an impact in Oklahoma’s offense. He’s more dynamic and a much more special athlete and couldn’t have picked a better school for what he does on the offense.
It’s uncertain if Brown can overtake Robinson as the No. 1 back in the 2022 class. But he’s definitely in the conversation because he so special, so versatile and exactly what a talented play-caller is dying to have in his offense.
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SPIEGELMAN’S TAKE: ROBINSON
Certainly, it boils down to scheme, fit and preference when comparing the nation's best two backs with such competing skillsets. Robinson, on one hand, is a Mississippi state powerlifting champion with the physique to prove it. He plays with a low center of gravity. He easily absorbs and runs through contact, and this offseason, we witnessed some impressive skills in the receiving game and speed to get downfield. Brown, on the other hands, has drawn comps to former LSU first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire with a rare blend of speed and acceleration and absolutely convincing us of his impact during 1-on-1s this offseason.
Robinson's game fits in the SEC. The players he's drawn comparisons to – Chubb and Mark Ingram – were both first-round picks. You can make a similar case for elite speedy backs with multiple skillsets like Edwards-Helaire or more recently Travis Etienne out of Clemson.
I'll side with Robinson, his 4.48 speed and the ability to lower his shoulder and run through multiple defenders.