Footballing Collegians 2006: CM's Top 5 Senior RBs

Some are thinking that maybe it's too early for this, with the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, US Open, MLB and so forth, but the facts state otherwise: Street and Smith, The Sporting News, Texas Football, Athlon's and NorthCoast Sports' 2006 College Football Previews are hitting, or will very soon be hitting, the newsstands. Oh, and the fact that football is the sport of kings, the number one sport in the NATION, not just Texas, by far. Remember folks, these are players that I've seen play, numerous times, so I don't have any of the fine players coming from say, a Grambling, Virginia Union, West Chester or a Texas Southern on my list, if you will. Here are my Top 5 Senior Running Backs in 2006:

1. Michael Bush - Louisville - 6-3 - 250 - A former QB, Bush was super productive from the "Red Zone" on in, picking up 23 TDs in '05. Obviously a big dude, with good hands (he caught 20 passes last year) and lot of talent. Just as obvious is his height, which can lead to some big hits, and the move to RB, the most physically demanding position in sports, which leads to the injury questions. If he can stay healthy, he'll have a shot at the NCAA rushing title.
2. Kenneth Darby - Alabama - 5-11 - 205 - Definitely a down in down out guy, a downhill runner with good receiving skills, Darby is a guy the methodical Crimson Tide can build their running game around. The good news is the recievers (DJ Hall,Tyrone Prothro) are blossoming, the bad news is the Tide has to break in a new QB. 'Bama has a good FB in Tim Castille, a deep running back group overall, and Darby is the best of said group.
3. Tony Hunt - Penn State - 6-2 - 230 - Austin Scott was supposed to be the guy here, but has never really lived up to the hype since arriving at PSU. Hell, Hunt is a former WR, but has proven to be a damn good runner, the best on the roster, so Scott is basically a backup. I expect Hunt to get a few more carries than last year, and the return of phenom WR/Athlete Derrick Williams will help him greatly.
4. Kenny Irons - Auburn - 5-11- 200 - Irons was 1st team All- SEC last year, picking up 1300 yards and 13 scores. Kenny is a perfect fit in Auburn's one back scheme, and is a major reason some have the Tigers in their preseason Top 5. Like Alabama, Auburn has a deep group at RB, but Irons is clearly the guy.
5. Courtney Lewis - Texas A & M - 6-0 - 204 - Much like Kenny Irons, Courtney Lewis thrives in Dennis Franchione's one back, spread option offense. Lewis' gamebreaking speed (4.36 40 yd dash) is complemented by the power of behemoth (6-0, 275) Jorvorskie Lane. Lewis is physically very strong, but is not a down in, down out back. He also benefits from running behind one of the nation's finest offensive lines. He has great acceleration, good hands and competes hard, returning kickoffs as well.

Much like the senior wide reciever class of 2006, the best runners in the nation are juniors. Such as: Adrian Peterson(OU), Marshawn Lynch(Cal), Ramonce Taylor(Texas) and Michael Hart (Michigan).