2014 NFL DRAFT SMALL SCHOOL PREVIEW: Running Backs

By College Football Analyst Josh Buchanan for TonySoftli.com

 

Below is a look at each of the projected top five running backs and  a look at the top 45 small school rushers while the top five fullbacks with a look at the top rated fullback for the 2014 NFL Draft.

 

1.      Terrance West, Towson

If you are looking for a big back who can run, catch, and be a workhouse every down type back then West is your man.  At 5’9 ¼. 225 pounds with 4.5 speed.  His production has been off the charts rushing for almost 1,300 yards as a freshman and having his best season with 2,500 plus yards as a junior.  When the Towson product entered the draft early it was no surprise and probably the right move.  He can run over defenders, has a good burst, shows the ability to cutback and change direction as well as the durability needed to succeed in the NFL.  West is no doubt a second round talent but due to the depth at the position and some off field concerns he will likely slide into the 3^rd round.

 

2.      Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern

At 5’9, 207 pounds, McKinnon is a great athlete who runs in the 4.3s, shows great explosion and strength, and has the build on his frame to be a good back.  McKinnon is a rare athlete who could not only be an option or wildcat quarterback in the NFL he can play the slot, running back, and cornerback.  Don’t be surprised if he goes a little higher than expected such as the top of the fourth or end of the third round.

 

3.      Isaiah Crowell, Alabama State

Crowell is a talented player who started his career at Georgia but ever since earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2011 he has seen his stock plummet.  He showed up to Alabama State after dismissal due to two weapons charges and two felonies and was out of shape early on.  He finished strong in 2012 and then had a good season in 2013 but still wasn’t as consistent as he should have been.  He is a bigger back (5’11, 224) who runs well, has good vision, and is a good athlete but his off the field concerns put his stock in limbo.  If he were to go based on talent along he would be a third or fourth round pick but the off the field concerns are what makes him a late round or priority free agent projection.

 

4.      Tim Flanders, Sam Houston State

Flanders played in a running back friendly option system at Sam Houston putting up big numbers.  Some people believe have him as a 5^th-6^th round talent while others have him as a priority free agent.  His vision, cutback ability, and durability are what scouts love most.  He’s just 5’8 5/8, 207 pounds with 4.6 speed so that’s why I project priority free agent but his production and consistency are why it would be no surprise if he got drafted.

 

5.      John Spooney, Brown

Spooney is a big time diamond in the rough who was bypassed by every all-star game, the combine, and hasn’t been given much media attention.  Media attention doesn’t really matter to draft stock, in terms of hype, but you would think with his talent he would get more of it.  He was a first-team All-Ivy League selection who showed a good burst, good vision, and very good athleticism on tape.  The former track standout has some concerns that will probably keep him from getting drafted but you can expect that he will be signed quickly after the draft and should make a practice squad.

 

OVERRATED: Dillon Baxter, Baker (KS)

At 5’10, 198 pounds he is a bit thin for someone who was once considered among the best backs in the nation.  He started out at USC but off field issues have caused him to transfer twice where he ended up at Baker.  His lack of dominance combined with his past mean he won’t get drafted.  When watching Baker he looked solid but did not do nearly what the hype he had around him would suggest.

 

UNDERRATED: Dominick Pierre, Dartmouth

Pierre isn’t given much hype but he is an ideal size with good vision and the ability to be a workhorse.  He ran for 800 plus yards in 2012 and surpassed 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2013.  While he won’t get drafted you can expect him to sign a contract quickly after the draft.

 

SLEEPER: John Spooney, Brown

He has just one year of major production in college and comes over from track but is a player that could have a much better career than many players rated ahead of him.

 

RISER: Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern

McKinnon started his career at quarterback but moved to running back full time during the 2013 season.  His performance late in the year, specifically against Florida and his combine workout have opened eyes moving him from a likely 6^th round pick to a probably 4^th round selection.

 

FALLER: Terrance Cobb, University of Cumberlands (KY)

Cobb was once in the top five on this list heading into the season but an injury-plagued year and not rebounding in the postseason has caused him to continue to slide.  He has recently been passed by two more players in the last month alone.

 

INTRIGUING: Kyle Harbridge, Saint Francis (PA)

Harbridge (5’9 3/8, 204) fell under the radar of even NFL teams a little bit when he was hurt in 2012 and not on any preseason watch lists for 2013 but quickly began to receive notice as he ran for 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns.  His ability as a return man, hands, and production make him someone who should quickly sign after the draft.  His 4.5 speed could make him an interesting candidate for a practice squad.

 

 

SMALL SCHOOL RB RANKINGS

Pos Rank	First Name	Last Name	School	Rd. Proj.
1	Terrance	West	Towson	2nd-3rd
2	Jerick	McKinnon	Georgia Southern	4th-5th
3	Isaiah	Crowell	Alabama State	7th-PFA
4	Tim	Flanders	Sam Houston State	PFA
5	John	Spooney	Brown	PFA
6	DeNarius	McGhee	Montana State	PFA
7	Zachary “Zach”	Bauman	Northern Arizona	PFA
8	Dominique	Williams	Wagner	PFA
9	Franklyn	Quiteh	Bloomsburg	PFA
10	Dominick	Pierre	Dartmouth	PFA/FA
11	Kyle	Harbridge	Saint Francis (PA)	FA
12	Terrance	Cobb	University of Cumberlands (KY)	FA
13	Kedrick	Rhodes	West Alabama	FA
14	Isidore	Jackson	Bethune-Cookman	FA
15	Jaamal	Berry	Murray State	FA
16	Samuel “Sam”	Ojuri	North Dakota State	FA
17	D’wayne “D.J.”	Adams	Portland State	FA
18	Keidrick	Jackson	Midwestern State	FA
19	Jermie	Calhoun	Angelo State	FA
20	Dillon	Baxter	Baker (KS)	FA
21	Shakir	Bell	Indiana State	FA
22	Glen	Clinton	Chadron State	FA
23	Andrew	Pierce	Delaware	FA
24	Rondell	White	West Chester	FA
25	Charcandrick	West	Abilene Christian	Tryout
26	Darien	Robinson	The Citadel	Tryout
27	Torrance	Hunt	Georgia Southern	Tryout
28	Octavias	McKoy	Western Connecticut	Tryout
29	Arnold	Walker	Alcorn State	Tryout
30	Joshua	Birmingham	Central Oklahoma	Tryout
31	Demitrius	Bronson	Eastern Washington	Tryout
32	Aldreakis	Allen	Liberty	Tryout
33	Klay	Fiechter	Indianapolis	Tryout
34	Carlton	Koonce	Fordham	Tryout
35	Chris	Coffey	North Alabama	Tryout
36	De’Antwan	Williams	Indiana (PA)	Tryout
37	Brandon	Baker	Carson-Newman	Tryout
38	DJ	McNeil	Tennessee-Martin	Tryout
39	Keith	Sherman	Lehigh	Tryout
40	Avery	Walker	Bemidji State	Tryout
41	Derek	Elliott	Valley City State (ND)	Tryout
42	Jansen	Jones	Gannon	Tryout
43	Cameron	Fore	Benedictine (KS)	Tryout
44	Charlie	Davidson	Wayne State (NE)	Tryout
45	Nigel	Barksdale	Slippery Rock	Tryout

 

FULLBACKS

1.      Lorenzo Taliaferro, Coastal Carolina

He’s perhaps the biggest riser in the fullback class considering it’s a projection as he played tailback and he only has one year of major production as a starter.  At 6’0 ¼., 229 pounds he has the ideal tools to be fullback as he can block, catch, and a workhorse.  His lack of great burst and top end speed are why many scouts project him to change positions.  In most drafts he would be projected to go in the 5^th or 6^th round but is a borderline draft pick due to depth at the position this year.  If he goes undrafted, he will have several offers so he would be ideal to snag in the 7^th round to prevent fighting for him at the conclusion of the draft.

 

SMALL SCHOOL FB RANKINGS

Pos	Pos Rank	First Name	Last Name	School	HT	WT	40 Time	Rd. Proj.
	1	Lorenzo	Taliaferro	Coastal Carolina	6002	229	4.58/4.65	7th-PFA
	2	Ray	Agnew	Southern Illinois	5094	247	4.75/4.84	PFA
	3	Jaryd	Brown	Findlay (OH)	6015	230		Tryout
	4	Travis	Friend	Bucknell	6014	242		Tryout
	5	Austen	Wozniak	Indiana State	6010	240	4.75/4.80	Tryout