What does Me'co Brown's departure mean?

With Me'co Brown withdrawing from Northern Illinois, where does that leave NIU's running back situation?

Chad Spann is the obvious No. 1 coming into spring practices. After a breakout year of 1,038 rushing yards (5.8 yards a carry) and 19 rushing touchdowns, Spann should be the starter entering the 2010 season.

After Spann, spots that probably were in flux already are now definitely up for grabs. In my view, Brown served as a safety net just in case unproven players like Cameron Bell, Jasmin Hopkins or Antione Kirkland were unable to step up their games. You knew what you were getting out of a healthy Me'co Brown, someone who could carry you for a game (remember his 150-yard game against Purdue) or a couple of drives.

Now it's all on those backs to fill in behind Spann, or step in as a starter if Spann is unable to play.

The contenders (in no particular order):

Cameron Bell: The Iowa State transfer had to re-learn the position this past season while he sat out because of transfer rules. Bell had been a contributor at linebacker for two seasons with the Cyclones, but switched back to the position he played in high school once he got to NIU.

Bell is dramatically different from the other running backs on NIU's roster in that his is listed at 6-foot-2 and 243 pounds (Spann is listed at 5-foot-9 and 197 pounds by comparison).

Bell was a very successful high school running back. He rushed for more than 3,000 career yards at Stony Point High School, including 1,200 as a junior.

Now the real question for Bell entering spring ball is how two years away from running back, in addition to not seeing a whole lot of reps while re-learning the position, affects him when he starts getting those reps in spring practices. To me, that's a bigger question than how he fits in with the offense. This spring is big for Bell because the coaches will get a real hard look at what they've got before they have to decide where he fits.

Jasmin Hopkins: The 5-foot-9, 185-pound back is probably the biggest beneficiary of Brown's withdrawal. Hopkins is similar in stature to Brown but now won't have to compete with him.

The NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year led the NJCAA in rushing with an astounding 1,931 rushing yards at Fort Scott Community College. That's the second time he's topped 1,900 yards in a season, as he did it in high school at East Gaston (N.C.).

Now, how well does he pick up the system? Can he block (or at least block better than Brown, which was one of his biggest deficiencies)? Is he a threat to catch and score like Spann? These are all questions Hopkins will have the opportunity to answer in the spring.

Antione Kirkland: The Boca Raton, Fla., product is the biggest wildcard of the group. In rookie ball last fall camp, Kirkland may have been the most impressive player of the group. That includes the freshmen defensive linemen who were chasing him Nabal Jefferson, Anthony Wells and Stephen O'Neal, three players the coaching staff thinks very highly of. He regularly ripped off long runs and made a really good impression on the staff.

After a year in the weight room and the film room, it will be interesting to see what Kirkland can do.

Ricky Crider: The senior always finds himself in the mix and this season shouldn't be any different. Crider rushed for 37 yards in 2009.

Don't forget about: Barrington Scott, Alan Smith.