2015 NFL Draft: Jeremy Langford Scouting Report

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jeremy Langford (33) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Baylor Bears in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Langford, Running Back, Michigan State University

Year: Senior Height: 6’1” Weight: 208 lbs

Jeremy Langford is a gritty, hard-nosed running back. He lacks ideal speed and acceleration that NFL scouts desire. Langford finished his senior year strong and proved that he can stay durable throughout the course of a season.

Strengths: Langford is a bigger back, measuring in at around 6’1” and 208 lbs. As his size may suggest, he is a strong, down hill runner, who runs low to the ground and is able to grind out some tough yards. Langford seems to fall forward more often than not and he is a patient runner.

Due to his previous experience as a wide receiver, Michigan State offensive coordinator, Jim Bollman, was able to line up in the slot and use him as a receiver in certain situations. Langford also showed that he can remain durable throughout the course of the season, playing a major role for Michigan State’s offense in the previous two seasons.

Weaknesses: While Langford is a gritty, down hill runner, he doesn’t exactly run over linebackers and projects to having difficulty running over players at the next level. One of the biggest aspects of Langford’s game that separates the elite running back prospects from himself is his lack of elite speed and acceleration. Langford is rarely able to reach his top speed due to his lack of acceleration, leading him to struggle when it comes to creating big plays in designed off tackle runs.

While Langford is able to pick up a lot of yardage on this play, this clip shows how long it took Langford to reach his top speed.

 Awards and Highlights: 16 straight 100 yard games versus Big Ten opponents, Honorable Mention for All Big Ten

 Pro Comparison: Trent Richardson (since joining the Colts)

 Draft Out Look: Langford is a Day 3 prospect, who projects best into an offense that uses a “running back by committee” approach. Langford lacks the speed to ever be the feature back of an offense.