Rudi Johnson & Adrian Peterson
By Tony Pauline of TFYDraftPreview.com

For better (Barry Sanders) or worse (Curtis Enis) it seems junior running backs that enter the draft can have a major effect and impact. Looking at April of 2001 there are plenty of questions surrounding this; injuries, ability and effort (or lack there of) have all cast a shadow on the senior class. Here's a look at two underclassmen that could impact if they declare.

Rudi Johnson-Auburn

Coming into the year many in the media wondered who would run the ball on a regular basis for the Auburn Tigers; coach Tommy Tuberville was not amongst them.

Even though the Tiger offensive line was not built for a power running game and is one based on misdirection schemes, JUCO star Rudi Johnson was a welcome addition. Johnson, who accumulated 4000 rushing yards his first two seasons at Butler CC, made a major impact for Auburn the very first game he suited up. Besides leading the SEC in rushing, Johnson has topped the century mark in nine of Auburn's ten contests this season.

A power runner that loves to take it between the tackles, Johnson is rarely brought down by the first defender and is a runner that grinds it out trying to pick up the difficult yardage. An aggressive back that puts his shoulders into the opponent, he is a tough player that not only wants to carry the ball 30 times a game but also gets stronger as the game goes on, taking hand-offs deep into the fourth quarter with good results. Possessing not only brute strength, Johnson shows a decent amount of vision setting up and following his blocks.

Presently he seems poised to return to Auburn for his senior season but if he gets word the scouting reports on him are favorable, a jump to the next level is possible.

Adrian Peterson- Georgia Southern

It can be tough for a lower level skill prospect to impact the NFL Draft; the Sylvester Morris' of the world are the exception rather than the rule. If there is a prospect that fits this mold it comes in the form of running back Adrian Peterson.

After impacting as a freshman Peterson won the '99 Walter Payton Award his sophomore season, a trophy representative of the nations best Division I-AA football player. He has 4,053 career rushing yards in less than three full seasons, has tallied 39 games of 100+ yards on the ground including a string of 31 in a row over the century mark, one shy of Archie Griffin's college record.

You get the idea about his statistics but what about his running skills?

At first look as a freshman the argument could be made that Peterson was a result of the system, one that employed an option running attack with a loaded backfield. But upon further review Peterson looks to be recipient of both good running skills and terrific athleticism.

A back with superior running technique, he runs with great forward lean and a low center of gravity which helps Peterson pick up the extra yardage by falling forward after being tackled, or maybe we should say, when he is finally tackled.

With a powerful lower body Peterson keeps his feet moving forwards and defender after defender bounce off him. Rarely does the first opponent bring him down and when he is eventually tackled it is not without a fight as Peterson aggressively puts his shoulders into the opponent gaining as much yardage as possible. He runs with good vision, finds the hole and helps his quarterback sell the play action pass.

He is not quick, elusive or fast, but a productive interior runner that can carry the load and a prospect that scouts will take a long look at should he leave early for the draft. After a 203 yard rushing performance on just 19 carriers a week ago against McNeese State in the first round of playoffs, he now hopes to capitalize against Hofstra in the quarterfinals and help "carry" Georgia Southern to consecutive national titles.

We've left out a few names, mainly Wisconsin's Michael Bennett, Northwestern's Damian Anderson and UCLA's DeShaun Foster, three more that would be first day picks if they declare for the draft.

This is certain about the running back position in April's draft; after the top two prospects it's totally up for grabs and several underclassmen would just add more to the pot.

Tony Pauline is the president and editor of www.TFYDraftPreview.com a site solely dedicated to the NFL Draft year round. It is considered one of the most informative draft sites available and Tony is the NFL Draft and college football consultant to more than a dozen league newspapers. Click on today to view the top draft prospects at Defensive End!