Best of the Best: RB’s

Complete position by position ‘Best of the Best’ series:

• Quarterbacks
• Running backs

This years stock of work horses in the ACC is among the best in the nation, and Virginia Tech is lucky enough to have 2 of my top 3 guys. I have a feeling by years end, these guys will be neck and neck when it comes time to name the All-ACC Running back slot.

1)Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
2009 Stats: 293-1655, 5.6 AVG, 21 TD

I’ll be the first to admit, I wasn’t 100 percent sold on Williams when fellow stud RB Darren Evans (my #3 RB this year) went down with a season ending injury prior to 2009. Sure, he was a talented kid; lightning fast acceleration and break away speed, complimented by superior agility. It’s seldom that a true freshman can step in the spotlight and not only do well, but shine. And shine is what Williams did.

His 2009 campaign was one for the record books. He set a new team record for rushing yardage with 1,655, which also happened to be the third best in ACC history, and he become the first freshman in conference history to lead the league in rushing and scoring (132 points). And he didn’t stop there. He also set an ACC record (not just for freshman but overall) for TDs (22) and rushing TDs (21), and tied the league record with (10) 100-yard rushing games. By the end of the season, he was an unanimous pick for ACC Rookie of the Year and garnered a first Team All-ACC selection. I’m not sure how Beamer will split carries between Williams and Evans, but I have a feeling it will be similar to Clemson’s “Thunder and Lightning” of James Davis and C.J. Spiller.


2)Montel Harris, Boston College
2009 Stats: 308-1457, 4.7 AVG, 14 TD
After splitting snaps his freshman year with former teammate Josh Haden, Harris took over as the premiere back at Boston College last season and made the most of it. His end of the year tally of 1,457 yards was good for second in the conference (behind Williams of VT), same with his average of 112.1 Yards per Game. His ‘09 rushing total was good for sixth all-time in ACC history. He was responsible for 14 of the Eagles 17 rushing TDs, proof positive of his work-horse status. Harris managed five of his 14 TDs in a single game last season against NC State, a game in which he set a school record for rushing yards with 264.

Harris is only a going into his junior year and is already 10th on the BC career list with 2,357 career yards, and seems well on his way to becoming the Eagles all-time leader in rushing yards. Currently, he leads active players with 13 100-Yard games.


3)Darren Evans, Virginia Tech
2009 Stats: N/A due to injury
Coming off a record setting freshman season in 2008, all eyes were on Evans, and rightfully so. He set an ACC record for rushing yards by a freshman in 2008 with 1,265 (eclipsed in ‘09 by teammate Ryan Williams) on his way to a second Team All-ACC selection. At the time, he was only the sixth freshman in ACC history to rush for 1000 yards. He also become the first Hokie to score a TD in his first six games. Unfortunately for Evans, he suffered a torn ACL just before the 2009 season kicked off, sidelining him.

I mentioned it in the Williams’ breakdown above how Evans will probably see split snaps this year with Williams. It’s a good problem for Tech to have. Speed in Williams and raw-power in Evans.


Just missed the cut

• Jermaine Thomas, Florida State
• Shaun Draughn, North Carolina
• Graig Cooper, Miami