Thanks to an influx of underclassmen, this year’s NFL draft has excellence and depth at running back. As many as five are projected as first-round prospects, and eight could hear their names called on the draft’s first day, according to ratings by NFLDraftScout.com. The top five are underclassmen, and only two of the top eight completed their college eligibility.

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Let’s take a look at some of the prospects.

1. *Darren McFadden, Arkansas, 6-1, 211, 1st: probably don’t need to say much here. Already enough has been written.

Darren McFadden has the speed to burn

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2. *Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois, 5-10, 225, 1st: Mendenhall is moving to the NFL after a very productive junior season in 2007, when his 1,681 yards on the ground set a single-season school record. He was the Big Ten Conference offensive player of the year and ranked eighth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in rushing (129.3 yards a game).

Mendenhall is short, compact and runs with a low center of gravity. He shows a good instinct for knowing when to be patient behind blockers and when to use his explosive running ability. He gained more believers at the combine, where he ran a 4.41 in the 40, benched 225 pounds 26 times and had a 331/2-inch vertical jump.

Although he was featured for only one season in Champaign, Mendenhall was able to show traits beyond running that NFL teams like to see. As a receiver, he has good hands and seems to be able to adjust to poorly thrown balls. His ability as a blocker was evident on many assignments he had in Illinois’ spread-read offense.

For his career, Mendenhall started 14 of his 35 games and carried 388 times for 2,539 yards (6.5-yard average) and 22 touchdowns. That ranks seventh on the school’s career rushing yardage list. He also caught 59 passes for 564 yards and five scores.

(Some say the Lions will pick Mendenhall).

3. *Jonathan Stewart, Oregon, 5-10, 235, 1st: Has it all, but coming back from toe surgery.

4. *Jamaal Charles, Texas, 5-11, 200, 1st-2nd: Fast, but can he play every down?

5. *Felix Jones, Arkansas, 5-10, 207, 1st-2nd: Get this, Felix is the man behind Darren McFadden.

All five are underclassmen and all five may go in the first round.

Gentlemen, start your draft selections.

NFL Football special comment Will this be called the year of the running back?

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McFadden, Mendenhall, and more, running backs galore