(AP photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Less than a month remains until the start of Rutgers training camp. This top-25 countdown will run infrequently, documenting who's got the most to prove in 2014.

No. 19 — RB Desmon Peoples (5-foot-8, 175 pounds)

Why Peoples's on the list: Peoples impressed as Rutgers' feature back during spring practice, but his extended health and turnover-free play likely earned more equity with the coaching staff.

But a deep backfield awaits, and Peoples's stat line from 2013 includes only a handful of carries.

Can he spell Rutgers' top running back, Paul James, in a league a step up in physicality?

During training camp, keep an eye on: the position's overall health.

Peoples was the lone running back left this spring after James sat out after shoulder surgery, Justin Goodwin sputtered with a lower-body injury and Savon Huggins rested in a shoulder sling.

2014 outlook: Goodwin proved in 15 practices he can offer a dynamic presence out of the backfield on screens and outside runs.

It should be enough to peg him into a situational role — or more, if James's injury concerns linger.

More from the countdown: No. 18 — Ruhann Peele
No. 20 — Djwany Mera