After not landing a running back in the 2017 class, Northwestern has a big need for the position in 2018. So I was surprised when I reached out to two running backs with offers who both told me that NU is no longer talking to them.
Three-star runners Kyle Dobbins and Tyrone Tracy Jr. say that they no longer hear from Wildcat coaches. So if NU isn't focused on those two, who are they looking at?
WildcatReport has learned that Northwestern's top target is three-star Jahmir Smith of Sanford (N.C.) Lee County High. The 6-foot, 194-pounder had a standout 2016, rushing 317 times for 2,130 yards and 40 touchdowns, to go along with seven catches for 117 yards and a 69-yard touchdown in the passing game.
Smith has visited NU, but attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. Smith has an impressive offer list that includes Duke, Georgia Tech, Nebraska North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wisconsin, Cal and a couple Ivy League schools.
Also in the hunt are three-stars Deion Smith of Houston (Texas) Second Baptist and Ronnie Walker of Hopewell (Va.). Smith is a 6-foot, 181-pounder who called NU his favorite a month ago. Walker, a 5-foot-11, 188-pounder, averaged 8.0 yards per carry while rushing for 2,011 yards and 25 TDs last season.
Northwestern currently has a loaded backfield, with Justin Jackson, John Moten IV, Auston Anderson, Jeremy Larkin and Jesse Brown, along with walkons Chad Hanaoka and Corey Acker. It's so deep that fifth-year senior Warren Long moved to linebacker in an effort to earn more playing time.
But after failing to land a running back last season, the Wildcats need one in this class to avoid the depth problems that may occur in a few years.
Film Room
Jahmir Smith
Deion Smith
Ronnie Walker
Three-star runners Kyle Dobbins and Tyrone Tracy Jr. say that they no longer hear from Wildcat coaches. So if NU isn't focused on those two, who are they looking at?
WildcatReport has learned that Northwestern's top target is three-star Jahmir Smith of Sanford (N.C.) Lee County High. The 6-foot, 194-pounder had a standout 2016, rushing 317 times for 2,130 yards and 40 touchdowns, to go along with seven catches for 117 yards and a 69-yard touchdown in the passing game.
Smith has visited NU, but attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. Smith has an impressive offer list that includes Duke, Georgia Tech, Nebraska North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wisconsin, Cal and a couple Ivy League schools.
Also in the hunt are three-stars Deion Smith of Houston (Texas) Second Baptist and Ronnie Walker of Hopewell (Va.). Smith is a 6-foot, 181-pounder who called NU his favorite a month ago. Walker, a 5-foot-11, 188-pounder, averaged 8.0 yards per carry while rushing for 2,011 yards and 25 TDs last season.
Northwestern currently has a loaded backfield, with Justin Jackson, John Moten IV, Auston Anderson, Jeremy Larkin and Jesse Brown, along with walkons Chad Hanaoka and Corey Acker. It's so deep that fifth-year senior Warren Long moved to linebacker in an effort to earn more playing time.
But after failing to land a running back last season, the Wildcats need one in this class to avoid the depth problems that may occur in a few years.
Film Room
Jahmir Smith
Deion Smith
Ronnie Walker
