Joe Suhey Scouting Report FB Penn State
This is our Joe Suhey scouting report. All this information is provided by writer Chris Ransom
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STATS: Joe Suhey rarely got any touches at Penn State. Suhey is mainly a blocking fullback despite his lack of size. Suhey’s run blocking allowed for Penn State running back Evan Royster to rush for over 1,000 rushing yards 3 consecutive seasons.
Right now Silas Reed is starting at running back for Penn State. Reed has rushed for 705 rushing yards in 7 games mainly due to Joe Suhey’s run blocking ability at fullback.
DRAFT STATUS: Suhey could go as early as round 5 and as late as round 7. Joe Suhey will likely be the starting fullback for the North Team at the 2012 Senior Bowl. Suhey’s senior bowl performance could dictate his draft fate.
PROS: great physical ability, durability, can play in an NFL offense, intangibles, excellent run blocker, runs with the football with power running ability, ball carrier vision, makes catches out of the backfield, family bloodlines his father Matt blocked for Walter Payton at fullback, production, potential
CONS: Undersized Suhey is 6 foot 1 222 pounds Suhey needs to bulk up
Summary: Joe Suhey is probably the best blocking fullback in the 2012 NFL Draft. Penn State has had 4 1,000 yard rushers in 4 years mainly due to the run blocking scheme that Penn State runs with their offensive lineman, tight ends, and fullbacks all focused on run blocking.
Player Comparison: Matt Suhey
Players that have the versatility to contribute in a variety of ways are the lifeblood of any football program. That description perfectly describes senior running back Joe Suhey, which makes him a valuable commodity for the Nittany Lions on both offense and special teams. A vital weapon in the passing attack, totaling 36 combined receptions the last two seasons in addition to his physical blocking skills, Suhey possesses soft hands and displays deceptive shiftiness after a catch. A tough runner with good speed and instincts, he can grind out a first down in a short-yardage situation and also pave the way for one of his backfield mates with his solid blocking skills. The athletic and intelligent Suhey also is a core special teams player, willing and able to lay a block to spring a returner, return a kick or make a tackle. Suhey earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last fall and graduated in May, finishing with a cumulative grade-point average above 3.00. He compiled a 3.40 GPA during the 2011 spring semester. The field-savvy Suhey comes from a family that is as synonymous to Penn State football as the Paterno namesake. He is a fourth-generation Nittany Lion hailing from arguably the first family of Penn State football. His father, Matt, was a standout running back at Penn State from 1976-79 before starting a highly-successful career with the Chicago Bears. His great-grandfather, Bob Higgins, was Penn State’s second All-American, garnering honors in 1915 and ’19 and served as head coach from 1930-48. Joe’s grandfather, Steve Suhey, was a letterman at guard in 1942 and again in 1946-47, earning All-America honors his senior season. That gives the Higgins-Suhey family an amazing 95 years of involvement with the Penn State program of the 125 seasons it has existed, including this season.