The state of Michigan has produced some of football's greatest running backs. From Heisman Trophy winners Pete Dawkins (1958, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook, Army) and Mark Ingram Jr. (2009, Flint Southwestern, Alabama, NFL) to Detroit Public School League legends Marion Barber (Detroit Chadsey, Minnesota, NFL), Harlan Huckleby (Detroit Cass Tech, U-M, NFL) and John "Frenchy" Fuqua (Detroit Eastern, Morgan State, NFL) to Tyrone Wheatley (Dearborn Heights Robichaud, U-M, NFL and the best HS player I've ever seen compete in person) to Hall-of-Famer Jerome Bettis (Detroit Mackenzie, Notre Dame, NFL) the Great Lakes State has produced its fair share of big-time running back performers throughout the decades.
Add to that impressive list current NFL running backs Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Wayne State, Detroit Lions), Jonas Gray (Detroit Country Day, Notre Dame, New England Patriots), George Winn (U-D Jesuit, Cincinnati, Detroit Lions), Glenn Winston (Detroit Denby, Northwood University, Cleveland Browns), Edwin Baker (Oak Park, MSU, New Orleans Saints), Zurlon Tipton (Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, CMU, Indianapolis Colts), recently drafted Jeremy Langford (Westland John Glenn, MSU, Chicago Bears) and Ingram (Flint Southwestern, Alabama, New Orleans Saints) and one can see quite clearly Michigan is one of the country's best at developing running back talent.
As in year's past, Michigan's class of 2016 is loaded with Division I college football running back prospects. Here are Michigan's top 10 running back recruits for the class of 2016 (all are D-I recruits)--
1. Matt Falcon-6-1, 215-Southfield-Combines speed, with power. Total package. 4.4 40 speed. Verbal to U-M.
2. Martell Pettaway-5-9, 205-Detroit King-Speed and quick feet. I think a bit similar to recent Detroit Lions draft pick Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska). 4.5 40. Iowa and MSU offers. Verbal to West Virginia.
3. Ba Blamo-6-0, 205-Grand Ledge-Could be a standout at LB at the next level, as well. One of state's top sprinters (10.9 100 meters) and wrestlers. 4.4 40. Has brute power and raw talent. Is physical and runs angry. Not well known, but a bonafide D-I talent. One of the Lansing area's best.
4. Nolan Eriksen-5-9, 195-Clarkston-Led Wolves to Division 1 state championship last season. Game-breaker and ankle-breaker with shifty, quick moves and speed. 4.4 40. Rushed for 1,700 yds. and 26 TDs last year.
5. Emanuel Jackson-6-0, 180-Novi-One of the most versatile players in Michigan. Could play RB, WR, DB at the next level. Rushed for 1,061 yds. and 16 TDs, caught 43 passes for 624 yds. and 5 TDs, plus had 2 kickoff returns for TDs a season ago. Detroit News first team All-Metro North. Verbal to WMU.
6. Dre'on Kemp-5-10, 185-Battle Creek Lakeview-Rushed for 1,512 yds. and 22 TDs last season. 4.5 speed. Battle Creek Enquirer Dream Team. No. 2-ranked recruit in the Cereal City behind LB Brandon Randle (6-2, 215, Battle Creek Central).
7. Trent Stone-5-11, 190-Holt-Rushed for 1,642 yds. and 21 TDs, including 7 TDs in one game last season (one off the state record). Selected to Lansing State Journal Dream Team.
8. Monterio Smith-5-10, 190-Comstock Park-Grand Rapids area standout. Threat running and receiving. Rushed for 1,303 yds. and 13 TDs and had 35 rec. for 506 yds, and 5 TDs last year. Tons of speed. Named to Grand Rapids All-North squad.
9. Corey Pryor II-5-11, 180-Jackson-Top prospect on either side of the football at RB or DB. Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team pick. 4.4 speed. Has run 22.1 200 meters and 14.6 110-meter hurdles. Father Corey played RB at MSU in late 1980s.
10. (Tie) Cedric Boswell-5-11, 175-Birmingham Groves- Speed, speed and more speed. Runs 4.3 40, rushed for over 1,300 yards last season, finished second in state in 100 meters, running a 10.7. Verbal to Iowa; Austin Petrie-5-10, 210-Livonia Stevenson-Power runner with break-away speed. 4.5 40. Also a hard-hitting strong safety prospect. Detroit News All-Metro West selection.
Other top running back prospects- Isaiah Miller-5-10, 185-Edwardsburg (Detroit Free Press Division 4 All-State, rushed for 1,727 yds. and 26 TDs last year), Brandon Adams-5-11, 185-Orchard Lake St. Mary's (returning starter for D-3 state champions, also talented receiver and kicker, Detroit News All-Metro North pick), D.J. Jones-6-2, 240-Hillsdale, Steve Linton-5-8, 165-St. Johns (4.4 40, 22.2 200 meters, 48.9 400-meter run, track/football standout for St. Johns, 2015 state champion in 400-meter run), Hulas Givan-5-10, 205-Saginaw Arthur Hill, Joey Clifford-6-1, 220-Brighton (4.6 40), Kyle Brunson-6-1, 205-Farmington, Quentin Taylor-6-2, 210-New Lothrop (power runner, also talented LB prospect, Div. 7-8 All-State), Reid Burton-6-2, 220-East Lansing, Michael Marston-6-0, 195-Lapeer (Flint Journal Dream Team, rushed for 1,506 yds. and 21 TDs last season).
