New Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner wants to get Adrian Peterson more involved in the passing game this season, which seems like sound strategy. After all, more touches for Peterson means more headaches for opposing defenses.
That got us to thinking: Which college teams need to get their star tailbacks more involved in the passing game this season? We came up with seven.
We also found five stud runners who already are proven receivers. We'll look at those guys first, then talk about the seven who need to show pro scouts they can be effective receivers.
One thing to think about: Auburn's Tre Mason and Boston College's Andre Williams were highly productive rushers last fall (a combined 3,993 yards), but while they combined for 672 touches, they caught just 12 passes between them (all by Mason). Mason went 75th overall and Williams 113th. Conversely, West Virginia's Charles Sims rushed for 1,095 yards but also had 45 receptions and went 69th overall.
Receiving ability certainly is not the be-all, end-all for running backs, but there's no question running backs who can catch have extra value.
Backs with proven receiving skills
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Mike Davis, South Carolina
Todd Gurley, Georgia
Jeremy Langford, Michigan State
Kevin Parks, Virginia
They have something to prove
Malcolm Brown, Texas
David Cobb, Minnesota
Telvin Coleman, Indiana
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Duke Johnson, Miami
Byron Marshall, Oregon
Karlos Williams, FSU
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
