Big 10 is certainly no stranger to potent and powerful ground games and elite RBs. Last year was no exception, with 3 of the nation’s best running wild last season.  But Shonn Greene, Beanie Wells and Javon Ringer have all moved on to Sundays and the remaining backs entering the 2009 season are not exactly your traditional Big 10 bumper crop. However, as there always will be in the Big 10, there are still a few fantasy worthy RBs. None of them are carrying the big names and hype that many who will be drafted ahead of them are, but the under-the-radar production could lead to some great values in your fantasy backfield… You just have to know how to navigate a minefield (or backfield in this case) full of big eaters, carry sharers, 1980’s cartoon maneuvers, emerging leprechauns protecting potential pots of fantasy gold, a different kind of “Greene” impersonator and a dangerously youthful recipe. Let me explain…

THE STUDS (Fantasy Starter Worthy)

John Clay, Wisconsin has a career total of 884 yds (courtesy Icon SMI)

1. John Clay – Wisconsin

Even the cream of this year’s Big 10 fantasy RB crop is not exactly a house-hold name as in most seasons. Clay, for his part, should stay away from that cream since weight concerns seem to be his biggest risk.  It’s understandable that Clay is not a well known name or fantasy target considering that he will be entering his first year as the starter after spelling P.J. Hill last season.  With Hill now graduated, the 6-2 250 lb sophomore will have competition in Jr. Zack Brown but after finishing 7^th in the conference in rushing last season in a back-up role, Clay is poised to become a star. He isn’t likely to give you many 50+ yard explosive runs but he may lead the nation in carries if he starts strong and shows he can carry the run-heavy workload for the Badgers offense. If they can even create an average passing game to compliment him that will just be an added bonus. As part of the last group of #1 RBs taken, you are likely to land a top QB and/or WR to pair him with and as a #2 RB you have a steal.

 2. Evan Royster – Penn State

Many would be more inclined to drop Royster down below to the “In Case of Emergency” section but I am a believer for a few reasons.  JoPa and staff realize they have the best shot at a BCS title game than they have had recently, or likely will have for years to come, and the biggest threat to that is the health of QB Darryl Clark.  Enter young and talented Mr. Royster and a new increased workload and at 6.5 yards per carry last season that could translate into BIG numbers for a back that you can draft relatively late in comparison to his production potential. Detractors will say that the increased rushing workload could get spread around to the talented cast of tailbacks that follow Royster on the depth chart but I am betting Royster gets a significant bump in his 191 carries from a year ago and will reward owners with the production to go with it.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (Roster Worthy Fantasy Backups)

 3. Brandon Minor – Michigan

This is a classic high-risk, high reward play this season.  Minor could play out as a top 10 back and could also wind up as the one guy you wish you had not have drafted.  Upshot is pure talent and an offensive system tailor made for him to flourish in.  The downside is the durability risk that resulted in missed time and some surprisingly unproductive games while trying to play through injury. He will also have to hope that Head Coach Rich Rodriguez can get true freshman QB Tate Forcier to mature early in the spread to keep keen Big 10 defenses honest once the conference schedule starts. Don’t pull a “go-go gadget arm” Inspector gadget style reach pick on him, but don’t overlook him late either as a #3 RB with #2 potential .

DeLeon Eskridge, who in his freshman year lead the team in rushing attempts and averaged 3.7 ypc

4. DeLeon Eskridge – Minnesota (photo right, courtesy Icon SMI)

Eskridge carried for 678 yards and 7 TDs last season as a freshman and that was in a dismal ground game that the Gophers had.  An emphasis on improving that rushing attack this season has been the battle cry all offseason and Eskridge will be the centerpiece and beneficiary, while being the secondary focus of opposing D-coordinators while the Weber to Decker passing combo gets much of the attention.  There is no certainty for success here but Eskridge is definitely worth a flyer as a late RB pick-up.

NOTABLES (Free agent fodder to keep an eye on)

 5. The potentially emerging Ohio State workhorse -

Replacing Beanie Wells won’t be easy and many think that Tressel will opt to do it by committee, but history suggests he likes a primary back to be his workhorse and if Dan Herron, Brandon Saine or even incoming freshman Jaamal Berry can establish himself over the others and earn 20+ carries per game you, could end up with fantasy gold… the kind you find at the end of a rainbow and not the kind you have to pay for.  Keep your eye on this situation if you are into digging for that free toy in your box of Lucky Charms.

 6. The potentially emerging Michigan State workhorse -

Read same as above but replace Beanie Wells with Javon Ringer and keep your eye on Ashton Leggett, Caulton Ray and heralded freshmen Larry Caper and Edwin Baker. If one does emerge he will already be dressed in that Leprechaun green that you will be looking for at the end of that fantasy gold rainbow anyway, so he shouldn’t be hard to spot.  The second I see one of these guys get 20+ carries in the opening games against Montana St or Central Michigan, I will have him on my radar immediately.

Jewel Hampton, rushed 91 times for 463 yards in 2008 (courtesy Icon SMI)

7. Jewel Hampton- Iowa

Many Hawkeye fans swear the 5-9 205 lb sophomore could pick up right where Shonn Greene left off.  If they are right, be ready to pounce.  On the other hand if the offseason knee injury lingers and his carries suffer, forget I even mentioned it.  For the record, I am betting on something closer to the first possibility… errr…which after all is why I did in fact mention it.

 8. Darius Willis – Indiana

One part interesting offense with a cool name, “The Pistol”, one part heralded recruit redshirt freshman running back with oodles of talent and promise that many are still wondering how the Hoosiers landed. Season, stir, let simmer, sample if it looks good and don’t share this recipe with anyone else in your league just in case you have stumbled onto something special here. Feed to your dog if not.

Related posts:

1. Big 10 WR Preview 2009
2. Big 10 QB Preview 2009
3. Capital One Bowl Preview
4. Papa John’s Bowl Preview
5. 2009 College Fantasy RB Sleepers/Busts

Tags: 2009 Draft Kit, 2009 Preview, Big 10