ALL THE RUNNING BACKS: A look at Pitt's crowded backfield with the addition of recruit Darrin Hall

Paul Chryst's recruiting abilities have come into question during his time at Pitt. But it's clear that Chryst has been able to recruit two positions very well - offensive line and running back.

The already deep running back group just got a bit stronger with Tuesday's commitment of 2015 four-star running back Darrin Hall. According to Rivals, Pitt landed Hall over offering schools including Michigan State, Nebraska, Arkansas, and a slew of others, including finalist Kentucky.

The running back corps for the future looks impressive. Isaac Bennett is a senior in this year's backfield, but James Conner leads the way in guys that will be around after this season. Behind him are 2014 true freshmen Qadree Ollison, Dennis Briggs, and four-star running back Chris James, who is expected to get some carries this year. Sophomore Rachid Ibrahim is also around as a guy that will factor in this year.

Beyond those four, are Hall and fellow 2015 recruit Sekai Lindsay, who committed to the Panthers earlier this year. Don't forget about walk on/transfer Jameel Poteat, too, who will be eligible in 2015. Add it all up, and there are a total of eight guys, including a couple of four-star backs that are all underclassmen or waiting to sign/enroll next year.

Seem crowded?

Here's what Pitt could have at running back, not including any more at the position that are recruited over the next few years:

It should also be noted that, last I checked, Poteat was trying to get an extra year of eligibility to play in 2016 as well. Not sure where he's at on that front, but you might be able to add his name in for that year as well.

Redshirting some guys will happen, but even that will only go so far. It will certainly help to delay a few of those kids, but you're still talking about a bit of a logjam in 2015 and 2016. Even if both Lindsay and Hall were redshirted next season, those two seasons will be interesting to say the least.

I don't pretend to know how this will play out. The only thing that seems likely is that there's not room for everyone. Ibrahim is a guy that has been rumored or a position switch and Briggs is one that seems like he could be moved, too ... but again, even that would only do so much.

There's Conner, too, who has been the target of potential position switches, but if he has a big year in the backfield for Pitt this season, would the Panthers really put their most reliable runner on defense?

The good news is that it's a great problem to have. From Pitt's vantage point (especially Chryst's, who is building this team in the mold of his dominant running teams at Wisconsin), it's perfect. With injuries and kids just not doing as much as they were expected to, you want as many talented guys as possible.

But it's really hard to see all of these kids sticking.

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