Running backs a strength for 2008

Yes it's true the new season just kicked off and college coaches are making their one call of the week to their recruits and prospects for the class of 2007, we feel that is also a good time to look at few of the players in Southern California you will be following for the class of 2008. It appears to be a very good group indeed.

The Southern California class of 2008 has a number of quality running backs four of them had big opening games last week.

Ryan Bass (5-11, 195, 4.45) from Corona (Calif.) Centennial had an outstanding opener while rushing for 293 yards and scoring six touchdowns last week Friday against a solid Valencia, Calif., team helping his team take the day 46-35. Bass is one those players whose moves have moves. Bass rushed for 2,137 yards and scored 34 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Delano Howell (6-0, 180, 4.5) from Newhall (Calif.) Hart can beat you with hands as well as his feet. In losing cause against one of Southern California's top teams, Ventura (Calif.) Saint Bonaventure, Howell rushed for 120 yards and caught five passes for 74 yards as he was virtually the entire offense for Hart on this night. Though he had injuries as a sophomore, Howell rushed for 762 yards and nine touchdowns and had 13 receptions for 153 yards.

Lake Balboa (Calif.) Birmingham running back Milton Knox Jr. (5-8, 205, 4.5) has been a known commodity since his freshman season when he was one of the reasons that Birmingham took the L.A. City Section title. In a tough battle against Encino (Calif.) Crespi, Knox was valiant in defeat rushing for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Knox has been compared to former UCLA Bruin and now Jacksonville Jaguar, Maurice Drew. Knox rushed for 1,700 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns as a junior. He also 500 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

In a loss to Canyon Country (Calif.) Canyon, Darrell Scott (6-1, 190, 4.4) from Moorpark, Calif., showed why he will be one of the most sought after players from the Golden State a year from now. Scott rushed for 159 yards and scored one touchdown. Rivals.com's own Greg Biggins was in the audience last Thursday evening and said that Scott reminded him of former UCLA Bruin running back and now Carolina Panther running back DeShaun Foster. As a sophomore, Scott rushed for 1,988 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Last but not least is sleeper running back Johnathan Franklin (5-11, 185, 4.4) from Los Angeles (Calif.) Dorsey. Franklin played behind current USC freshman Stafon Johnson and other upperclassmen as a sophomore so he didn't get the touches. He did play linebacker where he accounted for three sacks and three fumble recoveries. Now that the running back position is his, he's one to watch as this season progresses.