6’0” – 247 lbs. – 4.53
Has been carried a heavy load since his first season on campus, a year in which he ran for 300-1,589-14 (5.3). Was limited to ten games the following year and finished with 227-1,108-10 (4.9), then bounced back as a junior with 318-1,685-14 (5.3) before deciding to declare for the draft. Also caught twenty-one passes over the three seasons. Ball security is in line with pro requirements, having fumbled eight times over 866 career touches. A huge, thickly-built running back who proved that he can carry a heavy load, no teams will have concerns about his size, although he does have a lot of tread on his tires.
Took a lot of his carries out of pro-style, single-back formations. Pure runner who looks nimble on his feet for a big man, with the patience to wait for holes to develop and the ability to shuffle into gaps. Has just enough juice to get to the edge when running off-tackle. Surprisingly shifty in the open field for his size, with some ability to make second-level defenders miss one-on-one in space. Has more of a thudding power than an explosive, violent power. Almost always finishes his runs by falling forward. Pretty consistent about getting behind his pads into contact and driving his legs after being wrapped up; doesn’t break a ton of tackles but is able to drag defenders for additional yardage after being hit. Accelerates smoothly, with speed which looks at least adequate on tape; his Combine workouts, in which he ran and jumped very well, should boost his stock by assuaging any concerns about his explosiveness.
Played in an offense which did a lot of their passing off of play action, so he was frequently retained as a blocker instead of being sent on pass patterns; as mentioned previously, production catching the ball was minimal. Willing to stick his nose in as a pass protector, with the ability to engage opposing pass-rushers from his feet. However, his actual blocking during the games reviewed left something to be desired. Seems to struggle to square up opposing blockers and mirror them after contact, and had trouble identifying his responsibilities at times. Consequently, it would come as a surprise if he were asked to do much work on passing downs at the pro level.
A big, productive bellcow over the past three years who looks light on his feet, glides up to top speed, and falls forward at the end of his runs, but who is likely to slip until at least the mid-rounds because of his lack of value on passing downs. Could eventually develop into a committee back or goal-line option.
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