ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

No. 2

Jahvid Best, RB, California: What if I was to tell you that this running back produced 19 runs of 20 or more yards in 2008, seven of 60 or more yards and three of 80 or more yards -- is that something you might be interested in?

Best

Sure, Best led the Pac-10 and ranked third in the nation in rushing with 131.67 yards per game (1,580 for the season). Sure, the junior ranked No. 2 in the nation with 187.25 all-purpose yards per game. And no FBS running back could match his 8.1 yards-per-carry average. His 15 touchdowns tied for second in the conference. That's all fancy and fun and everything. But what really sets Best apart, much like former USC running back Reggie Bush, is that defensive coordinators have to make specific plans to try to contain him because -- poof -- he can change a game in an instant. That means that Best hurts defenses even when he doesn't touch the ball because somebody is always sweating bullets and watching him, even when the ball goes elsewhere. What offense wouldn't want to go 11 on 10 some plays? Oh, and then when Best gets the ball in space, well, let's just say everyone in the stadium -- particularly said defensive coordinators -- stops breathing. Best gained at least 20 yards on a single carry 1.6 times per game last year, which means he's going to gash your defense at some point and you should feel fortunate if he doesn't do it at least twice. Further, Best hung up all these numbers when defenses knew he was coming because Cal couldn't pass the ball a lick last season. What happens if the Bears complement Best with a solid passing attack? Things that make you go, "hmm." There is only one concern as Best sits out spring practices while recovering from elbow and foot surgeries: Can the 5-foot-10, 193-pounder stay healthy the entire season?

3. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
4. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
5. Kristofer O'Dowd, C, USC
6. Brian Price, DT, UCLA
7. Damian Williams, WR, USC
8. Syd'Quan Thompson, CB, California
9. Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Oregon
10. Walter Thurmond, CB, Oregon
11. Jake Locker, QB, Washington
12. Joe McKnight, RB, USC
13. Dexter Davis, DE, Arizona State
14. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
15. Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
16. Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon
17. Charles Brown, OT, USC
18. Will Tukuafu, DE, Oregon
19. Josh Pinkard, DB, USC
20. Reggie Carter, LB, UCLA
21. Stafon Johnson, RB, USC
22. James Rodgers, WR, Oregon State
23. Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE, Washington
24. Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State; Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
25. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
26. Tyson Alualu, DE, California
27. Devin Ross, CB, Arizona
28. Keaton Kristick, LB, Oregon State
29. Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona
30. Everson Griffen, DE, USC