I hear the Emmitt Smith comparisons constantly... and I really don't like the comparison to be honest. Ingram is faster and more explosive as a prospect than Emmitt was...
If you watch Mark Ingram run/play week in-week out like I have for 2 years... (and I've said it numerous times) he actually reminds me of Ricky Williams during his Texas days...
Mark Ingram led the NCAA last year in runs over 10 yards... also led the NCAA in runs over 20 yards.... Oddly enough, Ricky accomplished the same thing at Texas (although those SWC defenses weren't of the caliber the present day SEC defenses are).
Over half of Mark Ingram's 1,658 rushing yards last year came AFTER CONTACT (roughly 63-65% to be precise)... Oddly enough, 63% of Ricky's yardage in college came after contact.
Ingram averaged 178 yards per game against top 25 competition....and has only fumbled once in his career (and that fumble is debateable) against Tennessee...
Ricky's first 2 seasons at Texas totaled: 371 carries / 2,262 yards / 20 TD's
Ingrams first 2 seasons at Bama totaled: 414 carries / 2,386 yards / 29 TD's
They are almost identical in size at this point in their college careers.... but it's their running style, explosiveness through holes, incredible vision, ability to run in traffic, and hard nosed determination to milk every run for every yard possible that makes them so much alike in my opinion. I studied Ricky closely during his college days, and when I watch Ingram run now... you could switch the jerseys and couldn't tell the difference.
Ricky was obviously a better prospect than Emmitt coming out of college.... so is Ingram. Will Ingram have the career in the NFL anything like Emmitt had? The odds of that happening are about the same as Henne having the same type of career Marino had... in other words.. slim to none.
Will Ingram be fortunate enough to have one of the best QB/WR/Offensive Line trio's in NFL history the way Emmitt did? Again.. slim to none...
...but whoever ends up getting this kid to tote the rock for their team at the next level has just selected one of the best pure between the tackles runner of the last decade or so.... Ingram is a special talent....and a great, great kid.