The Big Ten arguably boasts the best collection of running backs in the nation heading into the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft. The conference houses four of the top 10 rushers in the nation. Indiana’s Tevin Coleman ranks third nationally in rushing with 1,300 yards and leads the nation with 162.5 yards per game. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon is fourth in the nation in rushing with 1,296 yards, Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah is ranked fifth with 1,250 yards and Minnesota’s David Cobb is also in the top 10 with 1,131 yards. It is possible the Big Ten will have six running backs drafted in 2015, which would be the highest number reached since 2001.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each running back.

Tevin Coleman, Indiana, RB: It has been hard for Coleman to get any attention nationally. Gordon and Abdullah usually are the darlings of Big Ten highlights shown by the big television networks. If you’re not close in proximity to Bloomington, IN, its likely Coleman has remained relatively anonymous to you up until this point. Recently, Coleman was placed on the Maxwell Award watch list for consideration to be named college football’s best player. “It’s a great accomplishment,” Coleman said. “I’m just gonna keep working hard to get more. That’s pretty much what I’m gonna do.” Coleman has 10 consecutive 100-yard rushing games dating back to last season. Twice this year he has eclipsed 200 yards rushing in a game, averaging a whopping eight yards per carry (8.02). Coleman (6’1, 210), who is a junior, is a big powerful running back with just enough wiggle in his step to keep him moving forward. He has been productive and durable at Indiana. Coleman has above-average running skills and good balance for a guy his size. He can explode through a hole and go all the way if he hits a seam cleanly. The last running back drafted in the first round from Indiana was Vaughn Dunbar selected 21^st overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1992. While Coleman likely won’t be drafted in the first round, I feel comfortable saying he’ll be a better and more productive pro running back than Dunbar.

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin, RB: Georgia Bulldogs Todd Gurley is the nation’s super-back and Gordon is just a notch below him. Including Gurley, the Badgers’ star running back has an opportunity to be drafted in the first round. Gordon (6-1, 206) emerged in his sophomore season last year, rushing for 1,609 yards in 13 games. Currently he is averaging 38.23 yards more per game in 2014 and should shatter last season’s total by almost 500 yards, finishing the season with over 2,000 rushing yards at his current pace. Gordon is an excellent all-around athlete who is very deceptive. He has more gears than a Formula 1 race car and maybe the same acceleration. Once Gordon locates the crease to daylight he’s gone and getting six points.

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska, RB: Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini said his star running back had a “mild” MCL sprain suffered last weekend in the Huskers’ 35-14 win over Purdue. The Cornhuskers are idle this weekend and play Wisconsin on Nov. 15. “We’re very optimistic,” Pelini said of Abdullah returning against Wisconsin. Abdullah will remind you of former Green Bay Packers running back Johnathan Franklin, who had his career cut short by a severe neck injury, or Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard. Abdullah has an amazing skill set second to none among the running backs available next season. He is a quick and elusive runner who has excellent cutback ability. If you want proof of his electrifying skills, watch this highlight of his 58-yard winning touchdown catch against McNeese State. Abdullah is a dangerous open-field runner with some power. He holds the school record for all-purpose yards and is the only player in Nebraska history with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Abdullah (5’9, 200) is the top senior available next season in the 2015 NFL Draft.

David Cobb, Minnesota, RB: Cobb should become the first Gophers running back drafted since 2006, when Laurence Maroney was taken in round one by the New England Patriots. The senior running back (5’11, 229) is a real workhorse type running back. He has carried the football 211 times this season for 1,169 yards. Most impressive is his ability to answer the bell game after game. Cobb had a stretch this season in which he carried the football 30 or more times in four straight games. That is a workhorse at any level of football.  The downhill runner is competitive, tough and highly productive. He has good run vision and finishes his runs hard. He’s the least flashy of the player’s mentioned so far, but the most physical of the bunch.

Jeremy Langford, Michigan State, RB: The fifth-year senior is in his second season as the Spartans’ starting running back. He replaced Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell as Michigan State’s next go-to-guy in the backfield. Langford is in the midst of a five-game 100-yard streak dating back to September 27th. To be honest, Langford doesn’t have gaudy numbers like the others, but is right there in terms of talent. A guy like Langford will see his stock increase once the season concludes. When interviews and individual workouts begin privately with NFL clubs, Langford should start to see his stock rise. Langford (6’0, 205) plays with tremendous effort. He has good size and run vision. He can see the hole and runs low to the ground with very good pad level.

Akeem Hunt, Purdue, RB/RS: Hunt (5’10, 183) is the smallest of the Big Ten running backs with an opportunity to play in the NFL next season. A jack-of-all-trades type running back, Hunt can run, catch and return the football effectively. He leads the team with 706 rushing yards and is second on the team with 36 catches for 198 yards. Hunt entered his senior season with over 1,600 kick return yards, adding another element to his arsenal of skills. He is a productive running back making his senior season his best. He’s a good all-around athlete, with quick feet and body movements.