Running back has been one of the most-debated positions in the 2020 rankings throughout the cycle. We ask the RIvals team of analysts to offer their opinions on who should be the top-ranked player at the position and who else should be high on the list:
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ROB CASSIDY, Florida analyst
DeMarkcus Bowman is the only threat from my region, but his limited size makes him a less complete back than Zachary Evans. That said, it's had to argue with the production and Bowman is in the midst of a monster year in one of Florida's highest classifications.
MIKE FARRELL, National recruiting director
It's a deep year at running back for sure especially if a guy like Evans is under the microscope. I've been a Tank Bigsby fan since early in his senior season because I love his size and speed combination along with his ability to catch the ball and even line up at wide receiver if needed. I could see a few players jumping Evans, who seems to have peaked his junior year. He's a great talent but there are other safer bets at the position
ADAM FRIEDMAN, Mid-Atlantic analyst
I like Evans and think he will have success in college if he picks a stable program but there are others that should be ahead of him in the rankings. Bijan Robinson is my pick for No. 1 running back in the Rivals100 and there are a lot of good ones in this class. Bowman is outstanding, Kendall Milton will be a good fit at Georgia, and MarShawn Lloyd could has a Marcus Lattimore-type of impact at South Carolina.
ADAM GORNEY, West/National analyst
Robinson is incredibly skilled, incredibly athletic and physical enough to be something really special in Texas’ offense because he can get the ball in a variety of ways. He’s averaging nearly 20 yards per carry and he’s rushed for 2,116 yards with 37 touchdowns so far this season. Even against weaker competition those are amazing numbers.
Evans is still an elite running back who has tremendous abilities but Bigsby could also be really special and has an argument for being higher in the rankings. This is a loaded position group, but Robinson is the best of them all.
JOSH HELMHOLDT, Midwest analyst
Evans is still the top back in this class. If we are looking at him purely from a football skills standpoint, I do not think that is in doubt. His antics these last several months should not be ignored, but when I consider his talent and the rest of the running back landscape, I still see Evans as No. 1.
CHAD SIMMONS, Southeast analyst
Based on what I have seen in and out of my region, Evans has looked like the most talented back when it comes to talent on the field. There has been some off the field concerns here, and his senior year has not played out like he had hoped, but the talent is still there.
Based on what I saw coming into this season, it was Evans, then everyone else from a talent standpoint, but with his performance this season both on and off the field, there may be another running back or two coming into that discussion. Don Chaney is one I have always liked, with Bigsby being another.
SAM SPIEGELMAN, Texas and Louisiana analyst
For all of the off-the-field concerns that suddenly popped up surrounding Evans, they have been largely quelled, and when it comes to the topic of how he performs on Friday nights, Evans is the easy answer as the best running back in the country and one of the best overall prospects in the 2020 class. He has put together a stellar campaign despite missed time and should remain No 1 among running backs despite fair concerns about his off-the-field incidents.
WOODY WOMMACK, Southeast analyst
We overvalue the running back position at the top of the rankings, especially considering how the game keeps changing more to favor the passing game. We should have one, maybe two running backs ranked as five-stars per year, unless it's a spectacular group like it was in 2014.
As far as this year's class, if I had to pick a guy that has the best chance to succeed I would go with Robinson. His game fits perfectly into modern offenses and he's the type of guy that can be involved in the passing game as well.
