The War Room | HoustonProFootball.com 
September 16, 2005
Running with Dynamite
by Keith Weiland
HoustonProFootball.com
Note: This is second in a series of college prospect profiles in preparation for the 2006 NFL Draft next April. This week, we take a look at the top five prospects at running back.
On the surface, the Texans appear able to ignore the running backs atop the 2006 draft class following two key transactions in the offseason. By drafting Vernand Morency and signing Domanick Davis to a multi-million dollar contract extension, the Texans don’t figure to be spending their top picks elsewhere when they are on the clock.
But things can change quickly in a losing season, and keeping the perspective that the FieldTurf isn’t always greener on the other side might be easier said than done when evaluating next year’s rookie running backs. With the anticipated eligibility declarations of a few juniors, this class is highlighted by the dynamic play of the premier prospects, players that can run and catch, as well as contribute to the return game in several cases. Some of them have drawn comparisons to the elite all-purpose yardage backs in the NFL, offensive studs such as Marshall Faulk and, ahem, even Davis.
Reggie Bush is one of those juniors, the ultimate offensive weapon for college football’s most dominant team. Laurence Maroney of Minnesota can bust through the line and has the breakaway speed to take it all the way. Returning from injury, DeAngelo Williams is out to prove he still has enough shakes to bake a defense. When you look to Tennessee’s Gerald Riggs, Jr., the size-speed combo is only the second thing you see after recognizing the genes of his father, a former Pro Bowler himself. And Seminoles running back Leon Washington speed-reads holes to break through to the second level and beyond.
Five more running backs to keep an eye on:
Jospeh Addai, LSU
Mike Bell, Arizona
Wali Lundy, Virginia
DonTrell Moore, New Mexico
LenDale White, Southern Cal
Reggie Bush Home
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