Michael Ford

One of the most experienced running backs on the team, serving as one of the go-to options along with Spencer Ware ... Missed most of the spring with a minor injury but will contend for the starting spot in the fall ... Enters the season as the team's leader in rushing with 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on 172 carries ... Played in 24 games with five starts.

Sophomore Season (2011): Played in all 14 games with starts against Northwestern State, Georgia and Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game ... Led the team in rushing yards with 756 ... Produced seven rushing touchdowns, tied for second on the team with Alfred Blue ... Became the first LSU player with six TDs through the first four games of a season since Charles Scott in 2008.

Redshirt Freshman Season (2010): Played in 10 games and rushed 41 times for 235 yards and three touchdowns ... Started the Arkansas and ULM contests.

High School: One of the nation's top running back prospects for the Class of 2009 ... Named to the Parade Magazine All-America team and was a second-team All-USA selection by USA Today ... Proved to be nearly unstoppable during his senior season at Leesville High School while rushing for 2,953 yards and 29 touchdowns en route to a first-team 4A all-state selection in 2008 ... Wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 443-yard, six-touchdown performance against Tioga ... Capped senior season with nine games of 200-yards or better and finished career with 20 straight 100-yard games, a streak that dated back to 2006 ... Broke Leesville rushing record as a senior with 2,447 yards, topping the previous mark of 2,143 set by former LSU standout Cecil Collins in 1994 ... A member of The Advocate Super Dozen, New Orleans Times-Picayune's Blue Chip List, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 and the Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 ... Ranked as the No. 2 recruit in the state of Louisiana by SuperPrep.