U-Who Miami Cal top contenders for title of Running Back

The next group in our "U-Who?" series is running back. While running back, to an extent, has been devalued in the draft -- there were two backs taken in the first round in the 2015 draft, but zero in the first round in 2013 and '14 -- every team wants a bell-cow back. Lately, though, they just haven't wanted to find him in the first round.So, which school is "Running Back U.," based on a 15-year history of their NFL draft picks at the position and factoring in the overall quality of the group? Read on to find out.10. OregonFirst-round picks past 15 years: 1Top three rounds: 3Total drafted: 6The skinny: The six draftees is tied for 12th-most in our span, but the quality is a bit better than three schools who have had more draftees. is the only Oregon first-rounder in our time frame, and, along with , was part of a solid duo with the . Maurice Morris, a second-rounder in 2002, has been the second-best Oregon back in our span, and fourth-rounder Onterrio Smith was OK during his brief career. But second-rounder has been a big disappointment.9. ArkansasFirst-round picks past 15 years: 2Top three rounds: 3Total drafted: 6The skinny: As with Oregon, the six draftees is tied for 12th-most in our span, but the quality is a bit better than three schools who have had more draftees. Both first-rounders came in the same draft -- 2008, with and Felix Jones. The injury-prone McFadden will get one more chance to live up to his draft hype this season with the . Seventh-rounder provided excellent value, but third-rounder has been a disappointment.8. USCFirst-round picks past 15 years: 1Top three rounds: 3Total drafted: 11The skinny: The Trojans are No. 2 when it comes to sheer draftees at the position, but almost half (five of the 11) were taken in the fifth round or later. And there haven't exactly been a lot of hits, either. The only first-rounder in our span is , and he is the only notable Trojans back of the past 15 years in the NFL.7. Ohio StateFirst-round picks past 15 years: 1Top three rounds: 3Total drafted: 8The skinny: The eight draftees is tied for fifth-most. The lone first-rounder in our span is Beanie Wells, and he also is the most notable Buckeyes back in the NFL in our span. Sixth-rounder Dan "Boom" Herron has had a few Malcolm Smith Jersey moments, and there are high hopes for , a second-rounder by San Francisco in 2014.6. OklahomaFirst-round picks past 15 years: 1Top three rounds: 2Total drafted: 7The skinny: The seven draftees means OU is tied for seventh in our span. The two that were taken in the first three rounds -- first-rounder and third-rounder -- have become NFL stars; in Peterson's case, when he has been eligible and/or healthy, he has been the best back in the league. Three of the seven draftees have been fullbacks. Take a look at the top 10 players from LSU to play in the NFL. 5. LSUFirst-round picks past 15 years: 1Top three rounds: 4Total drafted: 12The skinny: LSU has had the most running backs drafted in the past 15 years, but the lone first-rounder, Joseph Addai, also is the only one who became a star. Half of the 12 were drafted in the fifth round or later, including four sixth-rounders. Third-rounder has been solid, and second-rounder looks to have a nice upside. It definitely has been quantity over quality, though.4. AlabamaFirst-round picks past 15 years: 2Top three rounds: 5Total drafted: 9The skinny: Somewhat fittingly, Alabama is tied for third with in-state archrival Auburn with nine picks in the past 15 years. First-rounder has been solid; the same can't be said for fellow first-rounder , who hasn't come close to living up to the expectations that follow a guy who was selected third overall. Second-rounder has had two good seasons, and rookie second-rounder looks as if he will have a great opportunity to be Jacksonville's lead back. Fourth-rounder Le'Ron McClain was one of the NFL's best blocking backs for a three- or four-season stretch. Take a look at the top 10 players from Auburn to play in the NFL. 3. AuburnFirst-round picks past 15 years: 2Top three rounds: 6Total drafted: 9The skinny: Auburn's total of nine is tied for third-most in our span. Both first-rounders came in the same draft when went second overall and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams fifth overall in 2005. Injuries hurt both players, though both were 1,000-yard rushers when healthy. The best Tigers back in the NFL in our span was fourth-rounder Rudi Johnson, who had three 1,000-yard seasons. Second-rounder is a solid journeyman back, and third-rounder Heath Evans, an NFL Network analyst, was a solid fullback for a decade. Third-rounder could stick for a while because of his versatility.2. CaliforniaFirst-round picks past 15 years: 2Top three rounds: 4Total drafted: 6The skinny: There's not all that many (the six draftees is tied for 12th in our span), but the six Golden running backs in our span generally have been productive. The top Bear and the main reason Cal is ranked second is , who is one of the two Cal first-rounders in our span and one of the NFL's top players. The other first-rounder was Jahvid Best, who had to retire because of concu sion i sues. It took a while, but seventh-rounder has paid off in a nice way, and second-rounder has been a steady producer. Second-rounder J.J. Arrington had a brief run as an effective third-down back.1. MiamiFirst-round picks past 15 years: 1Top three rounds: 5Total drafted: 8The skinny: The eight draftees are tied for fifth-most in our span. Third-rounder , second-rounder Clinton Portis and first-rounder Willis McGahee either are or were NFL studs. They have combined for 29,470 yards and 18 1,000-yard seasons. But all three were drafted in 2005 or earlier. Fourth-rounder was a 1,000-yard rusher for the last season. There are high hopes for rookie third-rounder in Cleveland. Sixth-rounder , fourth-rounder Najeh Davenport and third-rounder James Jackson all have enjoyed a few moments in the sun, too.Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter . Deommodore Lenoir Jersey