We're bringing you college highlights of the top running back prospects entering the 2016 NFL Draft based on Mike Mayock's top five position-by-position post-combine rankings.
Height: 6-0, Weight: 225
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Elliott's dad, Stacy, played linebacker for the Missouri Tigers and was on the unfortunate end of the infamous "fifth down" play in which Colorado scored a game-winning touchdown (which might not have crossed the goal line) after officials in charge of the down markers failed to mark a play. "Zeke" has had much more success than heartbreak during his athletic career, however. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch High School Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, Elliott also had the speed to win four state titles in track and field (100 meters, 200 meters, 110 high hurdles, and 300 hurdles). He contributed as a reserve in his freshman year in Columbus (30-262, two TD rushing) before hitting it big in 2014, finishing with three straight 200-yard games, including two against Alabama which (scoring six times in those two contests) helped the Buckeyes win the national title. Elliott carried forth the momentum from the end of his honorable mention All-Big Ten sophomore year into 2015, when he received the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award (1,821 yards, 23 TD rushing; 27-206 receiving) and second-team All-American notice from the Associated Press and USA Today. Unfortunately, Ohio State's home loss to Michigan State on a terrible weather day, in which Elliott received only 15 carries (complaining to the media afterwards about his lack of totes), prevented the team from defending its title in the College Football Playoff. His 149-yard, four touchdown effort against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl put a happy ending on his career, however, allowing him to finish second all-time in rushing yards for the storied Buckeyes program.
Height: 6-3, Weight: 247
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
It's tough to accomplish more as a high school or college athlete than Henry did over the past five years. He won the 2012 Maxwell Club National High School Player of the Year award after setting a national record for career rushing yards (12,124, including 4,261 in his senior season) and scored 153 touchdowns. Then, despite breaking his leg in spring practices after graduating early from Yulee High (Florida), Henry averaged more than 10 yards per carry as a true freshman for the Tide (35-382, 3 TDs) and scored on a 61-yard reception -- his only one of the season. Even though the 6-3, 242-pound back started just two games as a sophomore, Henry consistently shared carries with T.J. Yeldon, covering 990 yards on just 172 totes (5.8 per) and scoring 11 times. He topped off his collegiate career by winning the 2015 Heisman Trophy, along with the Doak Walker, Maxwell, Walter Camp Player of the Year awards. The unanimous first-team All-American led the nation with 2,219 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns last fall, more or less winning the Heisman by racking up 213 yards and three touchdowns against LSU in a showdown with fellow trophy hopeful Leonard Fournette (who had 31 yards for the game). His true "Heisman moment" came after he already owned the hardware, as he came up huge in the national championship game win over Clemson, carrying the pail 36 times for 167 yards and three scores.
Height: 5-11, Weight: 219
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
The former Washington State signee and junior-college star ran just 31 times in his first three games with the Utes in 2014 -- then he ran for an average of 130 yards a game through the rest of the season. Booker followed up that performance with a second-team All-Pac-12 senior campaign (1,261 yards, 11 TD in 10 games) before a torn meniscus sidelined him early. His power, quickness, elusiveness in the hole, and receiving ability (80 receptions in 2014-2015) give him an excitement factor lacking from most collegiate backs.
Height: 5-10, Weight: 215
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
For a couple of days, Dixon was the leading touchdown scorer in FBS history. Even though Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds bested Dixon's 87 scores in his final game, Tech's top dog had an outstanding career. He earned first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2015 (1,070 rush yds, 467 receiving yards, 26 total TD) despite missing two games with an ankle injury. Dixon had earned first-team all-conference notice in the WAC as a true freshman in 2012 (1,194 yards, 27 rush TD) and second-team All-Conference USA the last two years as he hit 1,000 yards rushing (1,299) in 2014 and 917 as a sophomore while fighting a knee injury. That sort of consistency is a rare feat for a college back.
Height: 6-0, Weight: 220
OVERVIEW FROM NFL.COM
Prosise excelled in several ways for the Irish during his time in South Bend. Due to a lack of talent at the running back position, he was asked to tote the ball regularly in spring 2015 practices, running for 64 yards at the spring scrimmage. The Irish made him their leading rusher this fall, as he gained 1,032 yards and 11 scores on just 156 carries (6.6 average). Prosise also caught 26 passes and 308 yards and one touchdown -- but that was a role in which he had experience the past couple of seasons. He actually led all Irish receivers with 17.8 yards per reception in 2014 (29-516, two TD) and was also the team's Special Teams Player of the Year (11 tackles) and had a 50-yard rush for a touchdown in the Music City Bowl win over LSU. Prosise was actually recruited as a safety, but moved over to receiver for his redshirt freshman season in 2013, starting three times, catching seven passes for 72 yards.
