Top Running Back Prospects in 2015 NFL Draft

Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) runs the ball as the Florida State Seminoles beat the Miami Hurricanes 30-26 at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Johnson

Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson is in the do-it-all mold of Clinton Portis Frank Gore and Edgerin James before him. Size and style wise, he’s more like Portis with great vision, patience acceleration, moves and underrated power. Johnson is 5’9″, 206 pounds so adding five to eight pounds would be perfect from him to take on a full role.

He’s been clocked as low as 4.32 by his coaches so the long speed to take it to the house is there for him. In the passing game, you can also split Johnson out wide or use him out of the backfield. And very importantly, you don’t absolutely have to take him out on short yardage plays.

The one big question about Johnson is whether or not he’s really coming out in the draft after this season. My educated guess is that he will despite his mother’s desire for him to finish his all too important education. I’m basing this guess on former Hurricanes running back Willis McGahee’s knee injury in before he turned pro.