It's not very often that a school has three running backs receive scholarships in the same year. But for Cerritos College, they saw three of their running backs not only receive scholarships, they were all to Division I schools. Sophomores Elijhaa Penny (University of Idaho) and Dominique Small (University of Hawaii) were joined by freshman Tonny Lindsey, who signed with Utah State University. All three will have a chance to start for their new teams.

Penny was the Falcons primary running back during their 7-4 campaign in 2013, as he rushed for 1,338 yards and 20 touchdowns, on his way to being named 1st team All-America, as well as 1st Team All-California Region IV. Penny was also voted the Northern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, while his rushing yard total was the second most in a single-season behind the school record 1,527 yards gained by Darrell Thompson in 1991. The 20 rushing touchdowns were also a single-season school record, while he added a receiving touchdown. In a win over Palomar College, Penny ran for 262 yards, the second most in a game behind Jermaine Whiten's 308 yards in 2002 against College of the Canyons. Penny played his freshman season at College of the Sequoias.

Penny will be competing with two seniors and four freshman for playing time with the Vandals, who went 1-11 last season.

As for Small, he rushed the ball 27 times for 218 yards (8.1 average) and scored one touchdown in his sophomore year. He ran the ball six times for a season-high 81 yards against College of the Canyons and also scampered 32 yards in his lone carry againstMoorpark College. As a freshman, Small carried the ball 49 times for 169 yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdowns.

At Hawaii, Small will compete with three sophomores and one senior for the Rainbow Warriors, who are looking to improve on a 1-11 campaign in 2013.

Lindsey (pictured, left) came to Cerritos after it appeared he would be signing with San Diego State University out of high school. But before an injury slowed down the final four games of his season, Lindsey rushed for 260 yards on 55 carries and one touchdown and also caughtfive passes for 40 yards and another score. He touched the ball once against Ventura College and scored on a 75-yard touchdown, while rushing for 47 yards with 36 receiving yards against Los Angeles Harbor College.

He will have three seasons at Utah State University, who will look to take advantage of his blazing speed as they try to replace Joey DeMartino and his 1,221 yards to graduation. TheAggies posted a 9-5 record last season, which included a 21-14 win over #24-ranked Northern Illinois University in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.