Scouting Blog
2021 NFL Draft Running Backs
Demetric Felton, RB, UCLA
-5’10 200 pounds
-average rushing yards for a feature back
-has been used as a receiver in his career
-used a lot as a receiver on tape
-has great getaway speed
-sometimes tries to do too much
-average route runner for a receiving running back
-might be more of a scat back
-has that joystick agility
-his offensive line wasn’t very good at creating holes for him
-wasn’t asked to block much
Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
-transfer from Oklahoma
-had 331 yards rushing against Northwestern in Big 10 Championship
-6’1, 215-pound back
-good instincts catching out of the backfield
-hits the hole hard
-packs a punch for his thin frame
-tough runner
Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
-shared a backfield with Javonte Williams
-has some pass blocking ability
-great explosive speed
-perfect third-down back type
-can help you in the receiving game
– 5’7, 202 pounds
-had 1,000 yards rushing in 2019 and 2020
-had 308 yards rushing against Miami (FL)
Larry Rountree III, RB, Missouri
-was the Tigers leading rusher with 972 yards rushing
-5’10 210 pounds
-has a lot of tread being used a lot in four years
-not a tough blocker
-needs to hit the hole harder
-very average speed
-average vision
-goes down too easy, needs to be better at breaking tackles
-In his defense, Missouri’s offensive line wasn’t that good
Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana
-ran behind Robert Hunt and Kevin Dotson in 2019 and had his best year rushing
-ran for 1,447 yards in 2019
-not a guy who lit up the stats sheet in 2020
-three-year starter for the Rajin Cajins but played all four years
-5’11, 218 pounds
-was only a two-star recruit and stayed in Louisiana
-decent route runner for a running back
-decent pass blocker but needs to pack more of a punch
-I like how he moves his feet when pass blocking
-not great speed
-has decent vision as a runner
-Louisiana’s offense lined up in the shotgun a lot
-has a wiry thin frame and his high center of gravity makes him easier to bring down
Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
-one year of 1,000-yard production at Virginia Tech.
-transfer from KU his senior year.
-had average rushing stats as a senior
-average vision and runner
-very good pass blocker
-good cuts as a runner
-VA Tech lined up a lot in the shotgun
-decent power
-wasn’t used as much in the receiving game
-average speed but relies on his cuts when running the ball
JaVonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
-shared a backfield with Michael Carter but was the lead back
-Junior
-5’10 220
-Two-year starter. Part-time player as a freshman
-skipped the Bowl game to enter the NFL draft
-ran for 236 yards against Miami
-capable receiver out of the backfield
-has good power to truck over guys
-good explosion
-good vision
-has breakaway speed
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
-productive all four years
-1,000-yard rusher as a Junior and as a Senior
-6’2 230 pounds
-26 rushing touchdowns as a Senior
-five-star recruit out of high school
-great body control
-great athlete
-good toughness as a runner
-used a lot out of the shotgun and used for misdirection a lot
-was tough but didn’t succeed as much when Alabama ran power concepts
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
-productive all four years at Clemson
-made the unselfish move to come back for his senior year
-5’10, 205 pounds
-Didn’t have a great game against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl
-Double digit rushing touchdowns all four years
-average route runner for a running back
-good speed catching out of the backfield
-decent blocker; I like his toughness in pass blocking
-was an effective runner in his career, but had trouble against Ohio State’s front 7
-needs better vision to read his blocks better
-good quickness to hit the hole hard against Wake Forrest
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
-really a one-year wonder in 2019
-sat out of 2020 because of the coronavirus
-was very productive in 2019 with 1,459 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns
-needs better vision
-explosive runner
-good feet as a pass blocker
-hits the hole hard on the misdirection
-average cutter as a runner
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma
-played two years but wasn’t highly productive in either of them
-6’0, 246 pounds
-was suspended for the 2019 college football playoff game
-ran for 186 yards in the Cotton Bowl
-straight line runner
-not very effective catching out of the backfield
-not great speed
-doesn’t hit the hole hard
-good pass blocker
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
-junior
-was very productive as a sophomore in 2019 running for 2,094 yards
-6’0 208 pounds
-from Alberta (Canadian)
-good speed
-hits the hole hard
-explosive runner
-runs simple routes out of the backfield
-runs hard so he can break tackles
-more of a runner than a pass catcher
Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
-junior
-rushed for 1,072 yards in 6 games in 2020
-broke the FBS record for most yards per game
-was the MAC offensive player of the year
-5’9, 195 pounds
-explosive runner
-has good breakaway speed
-great vision
-I like the way he uses his shiftiness to fight for the extra yards
-was used more as a runner than a pass catcher in Buffalo’s offense
Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State
-was very productive as junior
-played a bit all for years
-5’11, 215 pounds
-threatened to sit out the year if it did not change the state flag which represented the confederacy
-injury issues as a senior
-needs better hands out the backfield
-explosive runner
-when he finds the hole, he really takes advantage of it
-good burst
-needs more effort in pass blocking
-great vision to find the hole
-very good speed
Javian Hawkins, RB, Louisville
-third-year sophomore
-5’9, 196 pounds
-ran for 1,525 yards as a redshirt freshman
-left the Cardinals early to get ready for the draft (November)
-excellent speed and burst
-not a great pass blocker
-runs hard and breaks tackles that way
-didn’t show up as much in the passing game
Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State
-three-year starter
-226 yards versus Oregon
-5’10, 217 pounds
-Junior
-explosive runner
-not a great pass catcher
-great vision
-hits the hole hard
-has the awareness to make something out of nothing
Brenden Knox, RB, Marshall
-productive all three years
-junior
-6’0, 223 pounds
-the running back he shared carries with was dismissed from the team (Tyler King)
-decent blocker
-needs to get separation on his routes as a running back
-good burst as a runner
-comes from a pass first offense. More used as a misdirection runner
-needs better vision
-would like him to succeed more in a non-power 5 conference setting
