Scouting Blog
Running Back Scouting Notes
By: Ed Hunt
Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic (1)
-sometimes a lead blocker
-hits the hole hard
-decent speed
-lacks necessary height
-great vision
David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State (2)
-explosive runner
-fights for tough yards
-good cuts in his runs
-can catch out of the backfield
-a little undersized
Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia (3)
-son of Evander Holyfield
-great vision
-ran a 4.78
-breaks tackles well
-fights for the tough yards
Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame (underrated) #4
-tough runner after contact
-can catch out of the backfield
-above average speed
-good vision
-can be explosive
Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky #5
-hit the hole hard
-good at breaking tackles
-not elite speed
-keeps his feet moving after contact
-can make tacklers miss
Damien Harris, RB, Alabama #6
-hits the hole hard
-straight line runner
-can catch out the backfield
-not that elusive for his lack of size
-good vision
Travis Homer, RB, Miami (underrated) #7
-good at picking up blitzes
-tenacious blocker
-hits the hole hard
-outside zone runner
-good vision
Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State #8
-very athletic
-can catch like a receiver
-shifty runner
-great 4.49 speed
-not a guy who will break a lot of tackles
Bruce Anderson, RB, North Dakota State (most underrated) #9
-can run to the outside
-tough blocker
-good speed for his size
-very good vision
-patient runner
Tony Pollard, Slash, Memphis #10
-lined up a lot in the slot
-decent route runner for a RB
-shows vision
-ran as a wildcat QB
-good blocker as a WR
-can be a RB, wildcat QB, slot WR
Sleepers:
Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State (Sleeper)
-can catch out of the backfield
-average vision
-good hands
-good breakaway speed
-patient runner
Rodney Smith, RB, Minnesota (Sleeper)
-shifty runner
-good vision
-decent blocker
-willing blocker
-decent speed
Darrin Hall, RB, Pittsburgh (Sleeper)
-was the backup for Qadree Ollison
-fights for his yards
-good speed to the outside
-terrible blocker
-has a nice burst
Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama (overrated)
-ran through the wide open holes at Alabama
-explosive runner
-needs to hold the ball tighter
-good route runner for a back
-used as a lead blocker
-the fact that he didn’t start over Damien Harris tells me something
Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State
-good vision
-fights for tough yards
-average runner
-has some speed to the outside
-needs to hold onto the ball stronger
-undersized
Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State
-wasn’t getting open in the passing game
-not a great open-field runner
-can be elusive
-decent vision
Wes Hills, RB, Slippery Rock
-good vision
-relentless in subdivision football
-very good in open space
-not the fastest runner
-bounces off tackles well
Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
-great athlete
-shifty runner
-good speed
-lined up in the slot
-a bit undersized
LJ Scott, RB, Michigan State
-decent sized back
-more of a power runner/short yardage back
-not impressed with his vision
-good runner after contact
-didn’t run the 40
Karan Higdon, RB, Michigan
-good effort as a blocker
-average speed
-aggressive runner but not one to get yards after contact
-a bit undersized
-explosive but only against lesser competition
Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
-shifty runner
-explosive runner
-great speed
-a little undersized
-great student/future doctor
-In the middle of torn ACL rehabilitation
Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis
-lined up in the slot
-quick
-decent runner to the outside
-needs to cut better on his routes
-weak blocker
Jalin Moore, RB, Appalachian State
-straight line runner
-benefitted from good offensive line play
-good sized back
-average speed
-good vision
Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida
-needs to be better at picking up blocks
-good change of direction
-can catch out of the backfield
-needs better hands catching
-average blocker
Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma
-fights for tough yards
-moves well for a guy his size
-size is good in a class full of undersized backs
-decent catching out the backfield
-terrible blocker
Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise State
-below average vision
-tries to hurdle guys
-good change of direction
-has a little physicality in blocking game
-played well in snow game versus Fresno State
Ryquell Armstead, RB, Temple
-good explosion on tape
-hits the hole hard
-ran a 4.45 at the combine
-average vision
-straight line runner
Damarea Crockett, RB, Missouri
-straight line runner
-average vision
-hits the hole hard
-patient runner
-average speed
James Williams, RB, Washington State
-good speed
-below average vision
-bounces off tacklers well for an average-small sized back
-can catch out of the backfield
-high character guy/was homeless
Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M
-needs better power
-got exposed by Alabama
-has some explosion in running
-weak blocker
-needs to not lunge when blocking
Kerrith Whyte, RB, Florida Atlantic
-good at breaking tackles
-good burst
-patent runner
-good vision
-not asked to block a lot
-can catch out of the backfield
Qadree Ollison, RB, Pittsburgh
-power runner
-decently shifty
-good vision
-breaks tackles well
-average blocker
Travon McMillan, RB, Colorado
-fumble issues
-good at breaking tackles
-can catch out of the backfield
-not great speed
-not a good blocker
Jacques Patrick, RB, Florida State
-bigger back
-has some burst
-below average blocker
-misused in a spread offense
-breaks tackles when he needs to
