Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Has a quickness that many do not expect for a player his size. Ran many draws and counters at Miss. State, and proved he has the quick feet to change direction.

Ball Protection: Below average switching hands and carries the ball too freely. Has not learned when to give up on a play and does fumble late in plays.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Poor at making defenders miss in the hole, in the backfield and in the open field. Is not elusive, nor does he try to be.

Pass Catching: Has better hands than expected. Was used in the Miss. State passing game over the middle and out of the backfield on swings. Does not have the speed to move past defenders, but is quick enough off the line to beat a press.

Pass Blocking: Inconsistent. Will dominate some plays, and whiff on others. Has the size and strength to be a very good blocker, but has not shown the effort to date.

Power: Can easily run through arm tackles. Low pad height, keeps his feet moving and uses his leverage to beat tacklers. Can be taken down if hit below the waist in the backfield. Once he gets rolling it is near impossible to bring him down head-on. Has a very powerful stiff-arm.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Very good size, especially his bulk. Very intimidating size when compared to linebackers and defensive backs.

Speed: Decent speed, but not a game breaker. Has a second gear and does get moving downhill when given momentum.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Can pick through trash and get to openings, but is primarily a power runner on the inside. Lowers his shoulders and depends on running over tacklers instead of going around them. Gets extra yards after contact- falls forward after being hit. Is not the most patient runner, which keeps him from fitting zone schemes.

Final Word: Dixon was a stud high school runner who many thought would turn the poor fortunes of Miss. State football around. Dixon had an up and down career in Starkville. He set school records for rushing yards and touchdowns, but he was arrested for a DUI before his senior season.
Dixon is a workhorse, and has the tools to carry the load in the NFL. Not only is he a proven power back, but he is also a very capable receiver.



Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Shows good burst and quickness. His 10 and 20 yard splits are impressive- 1.49 10-yard dash and 2.52 20-yard dash. Quick forward and laterally. Can change direction quickly and effective. Cuts on his toes and doesn’t let his feet go dead.

Ball Protection: Has put the ball on the ground more than you like. Covers well running through the hole, but can get loose at the second level.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Is quick and shifty. Good lateral agility shown on tape and in workouts. Churns his feet to power through tackles. An underrated athlete.

Pass Catching: A very underrated receiver out of the backfield. Has capable hands and runs crisp routes. Is a natural receiver.

Pass Blocking: Improved as a senior, but is not an accomplished blocker. Tate has the build to improve, with a thick lower body and big hands.

Power: The prototypical I-formation running back. Is a good inside runner. Is not afraid to lower his shoulder and go at a defender. Can run through arm tackles. Is a very active tackle breaker.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Thick legs with great lower-body strength. Has ideal size for a starting NFL running back. Good hand size helps with excellent receiving skills.

Speed: Great timed speed at the NFL Combine (4.34). Is shifty and quick in the open field. Has had no trouble running away from defenders in the best defensive conference in college football- the SEC.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Is a true downhill runner. Excels in a one-cut system. Will lower his pads and fight for yards, but has the speed to break away from defenders. Keeps his eyes up and looking for seems. Good agility and acceleration. Balance is only average and can be knocked off his feet. Has potential as a goal-line back.

Final Word: Despite starting only two games as a junior, Tate almost entered the 2009 NFL Draft. His senior season proved to be his best, with 10 touchdowns and over 1,300 yards rushing for the Tigers. Tate has serious ability, and has shown he can excel in an NFL system. Best suited for a one-back system, Tate could be a premium target for teams running a zone blocking scheme.



Acceleration: Hardesty is a one-cut runner who quickly makes a decision and hits the hole. Shows a good power burst through the line. May not have the quickest of feet and doesn’t change direction with ease.

Elusiveness: Is not an incredibly shifty runner. He gets most of his yards based on what his blockers can set up. Doesn’t have the fastest feet and it shows in the open field. Because he doesn’t have the sudden movements of a smaller back, he doesn’t make many defenders miss. Hardesty is more of a fundamentally sound running back who is patient before hitting the hole.

Pass catching: This is an area where Hardesty separates himself from other running backs. He had 25 catches as a senior and is used on more than screens and check down throws. He’s been used in the slot and has solid route running knowledge.

Pass blocking: Is an aware pass blocker with enough smarts to at least get in a blocker’s way. May not be fundamentally sound, but gives a good effort. Needs to stay upright more as he’ll too frequently go after a pass rusher’s feet.

Power: This is Hardesty’s biggest strength. He’s powerful runner and can shrug off arm tackles. Easily can be described as a downhill runner. Displays a strong core and keeps his legs moving to gain extra yards. Could run a little more compact, however.

Size: At 225 pounds on his 5’11 frame, Hardesty has optimal size. He may not be able to get much bigger, but his size is good enough. Strong throughout his frame.

Speed: Hardesty’s playing speed isn’t quite as good as his timed speed. He won’t break a lot of big runs and can be caught from behind.

Vision: The balance Hardesty displays when working through traffic is excellent. Displays good patience waiting behind his offensive line while they make lanes. Doesn’t seem to get flustered when opponents get penetration.

Final word: After sputtering along his first three years at Tennessee, Hardesty came on a senior. He ran for 1,308 yards on hte year and 12 touchdowns. Hardest ran for 2,536 yards in his career on 560 attempts (4.5 avg.). Also had 26 career rushing touchdowns. Finished with 38 career receptions for 405 yards and a touchdown. Twenty-five of his receptions came in 2009.

Hardesty’s best asset is his power. He won’t outrun many opponents, but he can run through them. He rates as high as he does because he combines his power with pass catching ability.

Still, he has an injury history that can’t be ignored. Had a stress fracture in 2008, missed a lot of time in 2007 with ankle sprains and tore his ACL in high school. You also have to question Hardesty’s ordinary play until his senior year.

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 6’1/245

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Deuce McCalister – New Orleans Saints

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Can explode through a hole when he is moving downhill. A quick north/south runner that gets to top speed quickly when he diagnoses the hole. Does not move nearly as fast when forced to move laterally.

Ball Protection: Runs with an aggressive style but does a nice job of keeping the ball tight to his body.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Has surprising ability to make himself small and miss the meat of a hit. Can slither his way out of a tackle and keep him momentum moving forward. Does look stiff in space, does not always make the effort to miss a tackle. Has light feet for a 240+ pound back.

Pass Catching: Just four receptions in his two years at Oregon. Was not used as a receiving option. He showed soft hands at the Senior Bowl, but it was easy to notice the lack of fluidity when it came to running routes and seeing the ball in.

Pass Blocking: A force when it comes to picking up the blitz. Delivers a strong blow and maintains the control of the engagement. Seems to enjoy this aspect of the game, willing and physical.

Power: Strong and violent runner. Once he gets all of his momentum moving north, defenders bounce off him. Breaks tackles on nearly every run. Can get his pad level low enough so that the maximum power can be exerted to the defender. Uses a strong stiff arm to toss away the unbalanced tacklers.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Huge body with a long frame, long arms. Carries 240+ pounds comfortably. An intimidating ball carrier at the second level for defensive backs to deal with.

Speed: Does not have the elite speed in the open field, but he has shown enough speed to run away from some defensive backs. Reaches top speed quick, making him appear to be faster than he is.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Outstanding vision, locates the inside lanes quickly and gets in to them in a blink. Has experience in an offense that uses elements of a zone blocking scheme, giving the back the option to sit and wait, or explode through the trenches. Is a patient ball carrier that consistently makes the right decisions in the backfield.

Final Word: When just talking about his talent and ability to carry the football, Blount is one of the most intriguing backs in the 2010 class. He is a powerful ball carrier that has the athletic ability to break one loose down the field. He has underrated speed and quickness and I’ve seen him make some cuts that very few backs are capable of at 240+ pounds. Like every prospect however, the intangibles/character have to be looked in to and unfortunately for Blount, there are a few red flags. The beginning of his 2009 offseason training involved him being suspended for missing workouts and struggling academically. The well documented punch to a Boise State player following the week one loss put Blount on the bench for almost the entire year. Considering he was a junior college transfer prior to his strong 2008 season, having just one year of Division I experience under his belt is a concern. However the strong week he had at the Senior Bowl showed the kind of ability he has. He will be a gamble but the upside is enormous, as he has the skills to be an every down back and contribute right away in a dual back system. Middle round grade that could be bumped down to the 5th-6th round area because of the red flags with his character.

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 5’10/200

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Brian Westbrook – Philadelphia Eagles

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Has top notch stop and go ability. Can reach his top speed in a blink and explodes through the smallest of windows. Has the advantage even when a linebacker has the initial angle on him in traffic.

Ball Protection: Very aware when in traffic, keeps the ball tight to his body and places a high value of keeping both hands on when a hit is on the way. Rarely seen out in space with the ball floating away from his body. Could keep it higher to maximize strength.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Very hard to get a hold of in open space. Has arguably the top agility of any back in this draft class. Makes a lot of defenders completely whiff. Feet are light on the ground, appears to be gliding when makes his way through traffic

Pass Catching: Was not given a lot of opportunity as a receiver, but he made the most of the looks he got. 62 career receptions. An effective wheel-route runner that can see the ball in to his hands while running at full speed. Adjusts well to the poorly thrown ball.

Pass Blocking: Was taken off the field on obvious passing downs. Partially to keep him fresh, partially because he got pushed around by blitzing linebackers repeatedly. The effort is there, but he lacks the strength and physicality to knock a defender around.

Power: Does not run with any power. Rarely breaks tackles when a defender gets squared up, goes down on first contact way too often. Will put his shoulder down and fall forward consistently, but he tries to miss tacklers rather than run through them.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Lacks the ideal build for an every down back. Slight frame that needs more bulk, especially to the lower half.

Speed: Has been clocked under 4.4 in the 40. Big time speed once he breaks free in to the second level. Has the extra gear in the open field that makes it very difficult to catch him from behind. Homerun threat every time he touches the ball, has several long touchdown runs.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Sees the field exceptionally well. Does not have tunnel vision that a lot of backs possess. Can turn a broken play in to a big gain because of his ability to see the entire width of the field. Reads blocks and knows when to run north-south or east-west. Has such a smooth running style with no wasted motion as a result of his tremendous balance.

Final Word: Best has showed elite ability with the ball in his hands and has the potential to be a big time playmaker at the next level. His speed and quickness can be a factor from day one and every offense is always looking to add another player that is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. With that said, Best does not have the frame, bulk, or strength to handle every down duty in the league. The lack of ability to break tackles and pass protect are alarming red flags that cannot be overlooked. On top of that, Best suffered a severe concussion and neck injury in 2009 that ended his season early and is will be coming in to the league with some surgery history to both his elbow and ankle. Now if he can be put in to a system where is a change of pace back, his value to a team will be tremendous. But if he is depended upon to be on the field for 30+ plays per game, his flaws will be exploited. With that said, Best has top 10 ability but his weaknesses are tough to overlook and it could bump him down to the middle of the 2nd round.

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 6’0/235

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Can get to his top speed very fast. Powerful legs increase his rate of acceleration. Does not make quick cuts, a pure downhill runner that does not run well when forced to make lateral cuts.

Ball Protection: Has had his fair share of fumbles, but most were a result of the complicated handoff and pitch system used at Georgia Tech. When he has complete control of the football, he shows proper technique and strength to keep the ball attached to his body. Very aware of where the ball is.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Does not miss a lot of tacklers. Lacks the wiggle to avoid big hits. Feet can get heavy at times, making him an easy target for a tackler. Lacks the fluid agility in his hips to change direction smoothly.

Pass Catching: Was not a factor in the passing game. Has only 15 career receptions in 40 games. Rarely ran routes other than a chip block and turnaround.

Pass Blocking: Again, not enough experience as a blocker. Has struggled when asked to pick up the outside blitz. Poor technique and lacks the ability to lock on. Simply gives one weak shove and the pass rusher is by him. Effort is inconsistent.

Power: Very strong runner that is tough to take down by a lone tackler. Has tremendous leg drive and knows how to run low and use the power from the base. Runs with a low pad level through traffic. Shows no hesitation in lowering his shoulder and trying to run through a defender.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Very well put together athlete, especially for a running back. Has a fully developed lower half. Incredibly thick legs and huge rear that exerts a lot of power.

Speed: Has deceptive speed once he breaks in to the open field. Runs very well down hill, not so much when running laterally. Tough to catch from behind, seems to run as fast as he needs to.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: An unknown for the most part because of the system he is coming from. Spent the vast majority of his career starting with his hand in the dirt, 4 yards behind the quarterback. His keys as a running back were simple and basic. Very little experience deep in the backfield and reading his way through traffic. Shows average balance when making cuts, but does a nice job of bouncing off tacklers and moving forward.

Final Word: Dwyer has the ideal body for a running back that can takena pounding at the next level. His lower half is NFL ready and he is a very strong player that will break tackles, an essential part of the position. However, he is lacking in two other essential aspects with his inability and inexperience as a pass blocker and receiver. He has the talent to be an every down guy, but if he can’t pick up a blitz and/or catch a pass, his value to a team is very limited and not worth a selection in the first or second round. He entered the 2009 offseason workouts 15 pounds overweight and there have been whispers concerning his work ethic on a year round basis, therefore the 2008 ACC Player of the Year will need to impress in interviews and background checks in order to get his name called in the first round because he is already a risky prospect as he enters the league from a system he will not see in the NFL.

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 61 – 237

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Michael Bush – Oakland Raiders

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Has the extra gear in open space to take advantage of defensive backs that take poor angles. Lacks the elite burst at the point of attack to explode through creases.

Ball Protection: Too comfortable with the ball in his right hand. Does a poor job of keeping the ball beneath his outside shoulder. Makes it easy for the defender to strip by keeping the ball towards the middle of the field.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Does not miss a lot of hits in traffic. Does not make himself small through traffic, lacks wiggle. Light on his feet for a back his size. Can run with strong steps or dance with light feet when trying to get in to space.

Pass Catching: Was rarely used as a receiver. 39 receptions in 38 games. Has the ability to see the ball in to his hands.

Pass Blocking: Has the power to knock a blitzer off his feet. Strong technique as a blocker that delivers a pop, but also sticks to his man. Very reliable to make the smart decisions while protecting the quarterback.

Power: Has immense power with tremendous leg drive. Consistently pushed the pile forward. Is rarely knocked backward. Gets his weight moving forward and uses all of it to get the tough yards. Rips his way through arm tackles. Will take advantage of a high tackler by sticking his hat in to the defender’s numbers and driving him back. Hard to bring down with one tackler.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Big body that has balanced strength from head to toe. Stocky build that can handle 20+ carries week in and week out.

Speed: Has been clocked under 4.5 with a biased Stanford timer. Has enough game speed to be an every down runner in the NFL. Lacks the gear in the open field to run away from defensive backs with speed.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Has plenty of experience starting off deep in the backfield and using his vision to break off long runs. Reads defenses well and anticipates running lanes. Knows when to lower the shoulder and get the tough yards. A very good situational runner.

Final Word: Despite spending four years at Stanford, Gerhart is considered an underclassman in draft standards because of a medical redshirt he used in 2007 as a result of a torn ACL in his left knee. Considering his upright running style and his disadvantage off the bat when it comes to NFL athleticism, teams will approach the All American’s draft status with caution. There is not doubt he has the ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact, two vital components to the running back position in the NFL, but his already damaged knee and lack of top tier athleticism will downgrade his stock. He will best be used in a system that allows him to carry the ball in certain situations rather then being depended upon to carry the ball every down. His intangibles are top notch and he is both a dedicated and accomplished two sport athlete that will enter the league as a guy that every coach wants on the field on way or another. He will get a shot as a tailback, but has the body and physicality to make the move to fullback in a pinch. If he works out well, Gerhart could be a top 45 selection.

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 5’11/220

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Clinton Portis – Washington Redskins

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Tremendous quickness and change of direction ability. Consistently balance allows him to get full force on his cuts. Can get to top speed as he hits the second level of the defense. Lacks the top notch speed in the open field but the short area burst makes him appear to be faster than he is.

Ball Protection: Holds the ball high and tight to his body. Strong grip, ball is rarely away from his body even when evading tacklers in space. Has 3 career fumbles despite 535 carries.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Makes defenders miss in traffic. Makes himself small despite possessing a big frame. Very loose hips and light feet before the burst is turned on. Can run through a defender but prefers to make them miss with the short area quickness.

Pass Catching: Only 19 career receptions. Was often taken off the field on passing downs. Does not have a lot of experience running routes. Rare to see the ball thrown his way.

Pass Blocking: Does not have as much experience as a pass blocker as you would like. However he is capable. Shows aggression and strength when stepping to defend the blitz. Willing to stick his hat in there. Does not hold a block well, basically a one pop blocker.

Power: Easily runs his way through arm tackles. Consistently gains yards after contact. Runs with great pad level and gets each one of his 220 pounds behind the inside runs. Can lower his shoulder and push a pile of 4-5 defenders backward, tremendous leg drive.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Has the ideal body for a back that carries the ball 20+ times per game. Has balanced strength from head to toe, but enough flexibility to remain agile and quick throughout all levels of the defense. Legs are muscular and stout.

Speed: Lacks the top tier speed in the open field, but has the extra gear to run away from most defenders. One of those guys that will play faster than he times. If he has the initial angle advantage, he almost always beats the defender to the intersection.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: A natural runner with the ball in his hands. Anticipates running lanes before they open up. Top tier balance that spends very little time gathering himself after a broken tackle. Constantly moving forward with plenty of force.

Final Word: Mathews has an outside shot at being the first back taken in April’s draft. While he does not bring the value to the passing game that some others do, he is the top natural runner in this class. His ability to break tackles and maintain his balance is unmatched, and he is fast enough to break off big runs. He led the nation in rushing and if he was part of a big time collegiate program, Mathews would have be a legit contender for the Heisman Trophy. His best games came against Fresno State’s toughest competition, including a 234 yard – 3 TD performance against Boise State in which he averaged over 12 yards per carry. He is the kind of back that can be trusted right away to give a strong boost to the ground attack. He will need time to improve his pass blocking and receiving skills, but according to the Fresno State coaching staff, there isn’t a player in this draft that will enter the NFL with higher character and/or a stronger work ethic.

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 6’1/190

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Has elite explosion off his cuts. Can explode through a hole with the best of them.

Ball Protection: Holds the ball too far from his body, leaving him prone to the fumble from a defender coming from behind. Does not keep two hands on the ball when running through traffic. Struggled with bal security early in his collegiate career.

Elusiveness/Feet – Agility: Loose hips allow him to evade tackles in the open field. Almost impossible to tackle one on one with space around him. Very light on his feet.

Pass Catching: Caught over 20 passes each of his three seasons at USC. Fluid catcher that could even play the wide receiver position at the next level.

Pass Blocking: Has surprising power when coming up to pick up a blitzing linebacker. Delivers a blow with aggression as he gets his hat on the numbers.

Power: Does not have a power game with the ball in his hands. Does not lower his shoulder with aggression, instead looks to accept the hit rather than deliver it.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Has a nice frame for the running back position, but needs to add a considerable amount of bulk to handle the rigors of the position.

Speed: Has top tier speed when healthy. Has been clocked at 4.34 in the forty. The speed shows up on gameday when he is in the open field. Very tough to catch from behind.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Is at his best when in a single cut and go scheme. Does not do well when the intended lane is clogged. Dances too much in the backfield and will try to bounce it outside too often. Does not see the field well in traffic but when put in space, he can anticipate angles and lanes to go along with his speed consistently.

Final Word: McKnight came to USC with the expectations that Reggie Bush entered with in to the NFL. Like Bush, those expectations were not fulfilled the way many thought they would be, but he was still a dynamic playmaker throughout his career. He is not ready to be an every down back but because of his elite speed and explosion, he will find his way in to the field early and often right away. He has been under investigation for a few different off the field situations and many believe it was one of the reasons he came out early. A lot of questions will need to be answered in the coming months but he will still likely be a top 100 selection that could break in to the first round based on workouts. He is the kind of athlete that a lot of coaches will think they can make something out of and that he is worth the early gamble.

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 5’11/195

Pro Potential: Marshall Faulk – St. Louis Rams

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Has elite explosion and reaches top speed very quickly. Creates separation in a blink and is often being chases from behind. Moves well laterally and takes advantage of poor angles.

Ball Protection: Has elite ball protection skills. Fumbled just two times throughout his four year career and considering the amount of touches he has had, that is as impressive a feat as any he has put together.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Very difficult to get a clean hit on Spiller. Can explode through a lane the second it opens up and can change direction on a dime. Can make forty five degree cuts when running at full speed, a very rare trait. Feet are light on the ground.

Pass Catching: Could likely be a first round pick wide receiver if he wanted to. Is used in the passing game as a main focus week in and week out. Sees the ball in to his hands and gets going north in one motion. Can catch the ball all over the field, short or deep.

Pass Blocking: Does not have a lot of experience as a pass blocker because when he isn’t running the ball, he is usually running a route. Does give good effort when picking up a blitz but it is not a strength of his. Delivers one blow with his shoulder but doesn’t get his hands on.

Power: The power aspect of the position is not his forte. He eludes contact because of his quickness and agility, but not as a result of him being soft. He will put his head down when he has to, but he doesn’t push piles forward. If a tackler can get their hands on him with any strength and balance, he won’t break the tackle. Doesn’t have a thick base to run through arm tackles.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Has the ideal build and size for the kind of player he is. May need to add some bulk to his lower half if he wants to be an every down guy at the next level.

Speed: Could end up being the fastest back in this draft class. Regardless of his 40 time, he plays at a different speed than most if not all of his opponents. Can separate the second he gets a crease and the chances of catching him from behind are slim. Elite runner with the ball in his hands.

Vision/Balance/Instincts: Very smart runner that understands how to set up a defender and trick him in to a poor angle. Makes the cut at the right time and maintains his balance throughout. Very strong hips that keep him upright and ready for the cut. Knows when to bounce it outside or just burst through the middle.

Final Word: Spiller’s decision to come back for his senior year turned out to be a fantastic decision as a lot of things really worked out for him. Despite an early turf toe injury that literally flared up every game from September on, Spiller put together one of the best seasons a running back in today’s era of football could have. He scored touchdowns on the ground, through the air (as a receiver AND passer) and in both return games. His talent is undeniable and the fact that he can change a game in so many ways is going to boost his stock even more. On top of his unmatched talent level among running backs in this class, Spiller is a high character, team captain tough guy. He will be an early impact player that could evolve in to the next great dynamic threat out of the backfield.