2023 Senior Bowl Preview: Working Backs
Probably the most vital occasions on the Nationwide Soccer League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the convention championship video games, it’s the true starting of the NFL draft cycle.
Not solely do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in a single place competing in opposition to one another, nevertheless it’s additionally a chance for analysts and personnel alike to get collectively and have discussions about various matters.
As we stay up for this 12 months’s Senior Bowl, each managing editor Tyler Forness and columnist Matt Anderson shall be there in individual to interrupt the whole lot down.
We shall be breaking down every place group and what to search for all through the week. Right here is the working again place.
Earlier:
Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
Kenny McIntosh was Georgia’s lead working again this season, totaling 829 speeding yards on 149 carries. Earlier than this season, his touches had been restricted, incomes simply 105 mixed carries within the two years prior. At 6-foot-2 and 210 kilos, McIntosh is sort of a picture-perfect body for the place, and his manufacturing this season is encouraging. He additionally provides some upside within the receiving recreation however struggles in move safety.
Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Louisville Vs Kentucky 2022 Soccer
Chris Rodriguez Jr. missed the primary 4 video games of the season with a suspension, however he was arduous to cease when he returned. Rodriguez completed with 904 yards and 6 touchdowns in eight video games, each team-highs. Listed at 224 kilos, Rodriguez is a bodily runner, not afraid to run a defender over. Nonetheless, he lacks big-time explosiveness for the place and can enter the NFL with virtually 600 carries, presenting considerations about his long-term future.
Oklahoma’s Eric Grey
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports activities
A second-team all-conference choice by Massive 12 coaches, Grey loved a profession 12 months, posting 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns. A switch from UCLA, Grey by no means really stops working, however he isn’t at all times constant together with his energy. By means of the air, he makes use of his elusiveness and quickness to be an added choice for the offense. Between his manufacturing and talent, Grey goes to search out himself making a right away impression for an NFL staff, particularly on third downs.
Tulane’s Tyjae Spears
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports activities
Arguably essentially the most precious offensive participant for a shock Tulane staff, Tyjae Spears enters the NFL Draft contemporary off his best season. He’s an explosive runner who can at all times present an enormous play, as confirmed by his 62-yard run within the 2023 Cotton Bowl in opposition to USC. You’d prefer to see extra manufacturing within the receiving recreation, however his mix of athleticism and competitiveness makes him an encouraging choice.
App State’s Camerun Peoples
Camerun Folks has been App State’s lead working again for 3 consecutive seasons and has discovered the tip zone 33 instances in 36 video games. Folks seems to be a restricted participant within the NFL, however he has the dimensions and call steadiness to carve out a job within the league. He hasn’t discovered a constant area of interest on passing downs but, which means he’ll need to succeed on early downs when he enters the league. Folks principally performed in pistol or shotgun appears for a staff that primarily ran a zone scheme.
Illinois’ Chase Brown
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports activities
Chase Brown was typically Illinois’ total offense, climbing over the century mark ten completely different instances. His manufacturing earned him a spot as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is awarded to one of the best working again within the nation. He’s not a five-tool participant within the NFL, however his home-run potential makes him an thrilling prospect for the following stage. He wants to enhance in move safety however he has grown as a move catcher, giving him some preliminary third-down worth.
Texas’ Roschon Johnson
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Usually the second-fiddle behind Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson completed final season with 554 yards and 5 touchdowns. Though he doesn’t provide the identical manufacturing as different backs, his body (6-foot-2, 223 kilos) is a coach’s dream and offers him nice energy for the place. That measurement makes him a promising move protector, which means he’ll discover the sector instantly. He’s not essentially the most elusive participant however he’s additionally not essentially gradual, particularly for his measurement.
Northwestern’s Evan Hull
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Taking part in in an offense that struggled most weeks, Evan Hull is nearly an unknown title within the class. Though most defenses have made it some extent to concentrate on him, Hull nonetheless produced as Northwestern’s lead working again. He might by no means be an every-down working again however he’ll nonetheless carve out a job, even when it’s as a move catcher. His velocity and quickness additionally make him an encouraging choice in any backfield.