The former junior college transfer had as great an impact in two seasons as any running back in ASU history. A tough runner who is rarely brought down on first contact, he often hits defenders harder than they hit him. Torain combines speed, strength, agility and soft hands and would likely have been vying for All-American honors as a senior, but was sidetracked at midseason by a fractured toe that required surgery.

In 2006, he became the Sun Devils' first 1,000-yard runner since Delvin Flowers in 2001, as his 1,229 yards on the ground were the most by an ASU player since Freddie Williams totaled 1,427 yards in 1975. In 19 games at the university, he rushed for more than 100 yards in seven contests.

At Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Torain rushed for more than 1,600 yards as a senior. He was selected first-team All-League while leading the league in rushing and was named the All-Class 6A tailback in his final season. He once scored five touchdowns in the first half of a game. He lettered twice in football, twice in basketball and twice in track.

Torain enrolled at Butler Community College in 2004, starting six of 10 games, as he totaled 657 yards with nine scores on 119 rushing attempts (5.5 avg). He added 22 yards on two catches and recorded six tackles (3 solos), helping Butler to the national title game as he earned All-Jayhawk Community College Conference second-team honors as a freshman.

As a sophomore, Torain sat out four games with an ankle sprain, but still finished second on the team with 109 carries for 739 yards (6.8 avg) and 11 touchdowns. He scored 66 points and also returned a kickoff 19 yards while starting four of eight contests.

Torain piled up 1,396 yards with 20 touchdowns on 218 rushing attempts (6.4 avg) in 18 games at Butler College. He caught three passes for 17 yards and gained 19 yards on a pair of kickoff returns. He also recorded six tackles (3 solos) on special teams.

Torain transferred to Arizona State in 2005. He started the team's final eight games, picking up all-Pac 10 Conference second-team honors. He scored seven times on 223 attempts for a team-high 1,229 yards (5.5 avg). He placed third on the squad with 18 receptions for 205 yards (11.4 avg) and three scores, finishing with 60 points and amassed 1,434 all-purpose yards.

As a senior, Torain started the first six games before his fractured toe would force him to sit out the final seven contests. He still ranked second on the team with 553 yards and five touchdowns on 110 carries (5.0 avg). He also snared seven passes for 100 yards (14.3 avg) and a pair of scores, totaling 653 all-purpose yards.

In 19 games at Arizona State, Torain started 14 contests. He rushed 333 times for 1,782 yards (5.4 avg) and 12 touchdowns. He caught 25 passes for 305 yards (12.2 avg), including five scores, piling up 102 points while recording two solo tackles. He also tallied 2,087 all-purpose yards, an average of 109.84 yards per game.

Positives: Builds his acceleration nicely coming out of his stance and into the holes, but can't be considered sudden with his initial step … Has functional initial quickness and lateral/veer moves to avoid and redirect on the move, but is best when running between the tackles than taking the ball outside … Runs with good balance and agility with the strength to break tackles on contact … Good worker in practices and in the training room and will play with pain … Has good vision and a feel for running the ball up the middle, squaring his shoulders and dropping his weight to push the pile … Hard to take down in isolated coverage, as he has the leg drive to power through and picks his feet up well to sidestep low tackles … Has the valid instincts and anticipation when in space, knowing when he needs to cut back or drive through … Shows strength on contact and when given a step or two to operate, he can break away from the crowd … Even when he runs high on contact, he shows strength and balance to stay on his feet and keep fighting for extra yardage … Has enough lateral agility and veer quickness to redirect and shows good body control when he hits the cutback lanes … Is quicker than fast, but can escape from second-level defenders (just won't win open field foot races) … More slippery than elusive on his short area pass routes … Catches the ball with ease when facing the quarterback (must adjust on the over-the-shoulder throws though) … Better as a cut blocker than working in-line, but shows good vision picking up the blitz … Has the lower body strength to anchor vs. the bull rush, but his poor hand effects him in this area.

Negatives: Has adequate upper and lower body muscle definition and could stand to lose a few pounds to give him better balance and stamina … Builds his acceleration on the move, but does not have a sudden burst through the holes … Needs more than several reps to retain plays and might struggle digesting a complicated playbook … Gets too tall in his stance, resulting in him having to absorb lots of punishment … More of a between-the-tackles runner, as he doesn't have the body control or foot speed to get to the outside and turn the corner … Because of his tall stance, he can be driven back through the rush lanes … Lacks the loose hips to redirect and avoid on the move … Takes a rolling start getting out into his pass patterns and struggles to track the ball in flight (better when catching the ball when facing the quarterback rather than having to look it in over his outside shoulder) … Takes wasted steps trying to redirect and is better when he drives through tackles rather than trying to avoid … One cut runner with little shake or wiggle when trying to separate in the second level … Willing blocker, but lacks hand placement and technique … Can be walked back into the pocket when blocking vs. the bull rush, as he fails to maintain contact on his opponent (hands swing wildly rather than keeping them inside the frame) … Must work on ball security issues, as he does not always distribute it away from the defender or cover it up when running through a crowd … Won't win any foot races in the open and might be a type who is used on short-yardage situations only.

Compares To: MIKE ANDERSON-ex-Baltimore … Like Anderson, Torain can get the tough yardage in between the tackles or in short-yardage situations. He is a physical runner with adequate speed, but lacks the burst or elusiveness to break free in the open field. He shows good vision attacking the holes and patience following his blockers, but is strictly a one-cut runner with marginal hip wiggle. He is never used on complicated pass routes, as he doesn't have the skills to look the ball in over his head, but shows decent pass catching ability for dump-offs. His blocking technique needs complete refinement, as he gets too wild with his hands to sustain. If your team has a lightning quick back and you are looking for one with a little thunder to complement, Torain might fit that role, but he is not one to build your overall running game around.

2005: Missed four games at Butler College with a left ankle sprain.

2007: Missed the second half of the Colorado game (9/08) and sat out vs. San Diego State (9/15) due to a right ankle sprain … Left the Washington State game (10/06) prior to halftime (returned in the second half) with leg cramps and dehydration … Suffered a big toe fracture vs. Washington (10/13), missing the team's final seven contests after undergoing surgery.

Campus: 4.56 in the 40-yard dash … 340-pound bench press … 34-inch vertical jump … 32-inch arm length … 9-inch hands … Right-handed … 3/15 Wonderlic score.

Combine: 4.71 in the 40-yard dash … 1.58 10-yard dash … 2.7 20-yard dash … 34-inch vertical jump … 10'0" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times.

Attended Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Northwest High School, playing football for head coach Scott DeBault … Rushed for more than 1,600 yards as a senior … Selected first-team All-League while leading the league in rushing and was named the All-Class 6A tailback in his final season … Once scored five touchdowns in the first half of a game … Lettered twice in football, twice in basketball and twice in track.

Interdisciplinary Studies major, with a minor in Sports Psychology … Would like to pursue a career in football player psychology … Son of Brian Torain and Raedell Shinn … Born Ryan Devon Torain on 8/10/86 in Topeka, Kansas.