Breaking It Down: East Running Backs

Make no mistake about it the east squad is loaded at running back. If there is one position in which the East squad holds a definite advantage over the West squad it's at the running back position. It boasts three of the nation's top four running back prospects and the nation's overall No. 1 player in Akron (Ohio) Garfield running back Chris Wells.

It is easy to see why Chris Wells is considered as the nation's top player by Scout.com. He has everything size, speed, vision, agility and the work ethic to make it all the way to the NFL. Some try to compare him to former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett. However Wells is bigger, faster and stronger than Clarett and when it comes to attitude and work ethic there are no similarities between the two. Wells is the kind of player that leads his team in voluntary summer workouts, he keeps his grades up and stays out of trouble. On the field Wells is dynamite. He is a very rare back in the sense that he doesn't really have a "style" of game. He can run around, past you or through you, he's got all of the tools to make an instant impact for the Buckeyes. Wells has the body type to carry the load. Wells is one of those rare guys that when he gets on carries 20 and 25 he seems to get stronger. Look for Wells to put on a show in practice and at the game.

Merrillville, Indiana running back James Aldridge will be one of many prospects .

James Aldridge

representing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the U.S. Army All-American game, but he's not just one of them, he's perhaps the most highly coveted of them all. Aldridge is a big back with solid speed, but is very shifty and break tackles as well as any back in America. He's got solid speed, but is not what you would consider a burner and it will be interesting to see how his game compares with that of Wells as they are similar type backs. He's extremely versatile and has the ability to run over defenders as well as make them miss. Aldridge is probably a more elusive back than Wells.



Lake Butler (Fla.) Union County running back

C.J. Spiller

C.J. Spiller is one of the fastest players in America without question. He's got more top end speed than possibly any player on either team and he's very elusive. He's the smallest of any of the backs on the east squad and is a much different type back than that of Wells or Aldridge and is very similar in style to the other running back on the squad, Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt's LeSean McCoy.



Both Spiller and McCoy are homerun hitting type backs, they use their breakaway speed to make plays and display great elusiveness. When either of them hits the edge, you're not going to find many guys who will be able to get their hands on them. McCoy had a season ending injury when he broke his leg in the early part of the season. The word is that McCoy will play, but it will be interesting to see how effective he will be if he is able to go. This will be the first game action he's seen in more than three months and some of the effects of the injury could still be lingering.

LeSean McCoy

This might be the most interesting group to watch for either team because there are two completely opposite couples of backs and the competition between them should be intense to earn a starting spot. This may be the most impressive group throughout the week.