Sports Industry

The 2008 draft was the beginning of a great crop of talent, especially at the running back position. The list begins with the speedy East Carolina grad, Chris Johnson. After Week 11, he has rushed for 787 yards and found the endzone 6 times. Johnson has racked up all these yards even though he is splitting time with the power back, Lendale White. In the Windy City, the 6'2", 216 pound Matt Forte is bringing back memories of Walter Payton. The elusiviness shown by Forte has baffled opposing defenses. Forte has ran for 777 yards with 7 total TD's. Down South, West Virginia star Steve Slaton has quickly proved he belongs here. Slaton is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, resulting in 701 yards and 7 TD's for the Houston Texans. Detroit Lions halfback, Kevin Smith, and Carolina's young talent, Jonathan Stewart, have each rushed for 513 yards. Smith has 5 TD's and Stewart has 6. The biggest surprise of this draft, was the emergence of Tim Hightower, a Richmond graduate. Hightower has fit in nicely with the NFC West leaders, Arizona Cardinals. He has 472 total yards and found the endzone 7 times on the ground, leading all rookie runningbacks. Another surprise is Mississippi grad, BenJarvus Green-Ellis ( yes, that is how you spell his name). Green-Ellis has filled in for the injury plagued Patriots, who lost Laurence Maroney earlier this year. He has started only 3 games, but has 252 rushing yards, 4 TD's in only 69 attempts. The first running back selected in the 2008 Draft, Darren McFadden, has not put up quality numbers, as he has only found the endzone 1 time on the ground. Other young backs from the 2008 Draft include Jamaal Charles, Rashard Mendenhall, Ray Rice and Felix Jones. These guys have all played key roles for their teams. This draft class could quite possibly go down as one of the best groups of running backs entering the NFL in the same year.