The 2010 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway tomorrow in Indianapolis. While the combine isn’t the only piece of the puzzle in determining a top draft prospect, it can improve a players stock if they answer questions about athletic ability.
One player who can make a big impact this weekend is Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. Gerhart was one of the most productive athletes in college football this past season, however, he is currently projected as a third-round pick due to his lack of explosiveness. There is no questioning Gerhart’s vision and overall ability, but his lack of breakaway speed could turn some teams away and have others looking at moving him to fullback.
Gerhart looks at this as a great opportunity and he will be looking to make the most of it.
The combine is nerve-racking, but it’s a great opportunity to showcase myself,” Gerhart told Lynn Hoppes of ESPN.com’s Page 2. “I want to be there with other running backs. I want to compete against them. I want to show the GMs, the owners and the coaches. . . .
“I’ve seen what people are saying about me on TV. It’s hard to sit there and watch when they talk about top-five running backs and I’m not one of them. Where’s the love? They say ‘Toby can’t play running back at the next level.’ I want to show them at these drills. I’m going to show the people that I can a lot better than they expected.”
The Stanford product has been working this offseason with Athletic Republic to improve his speed and agility for the “Underwear Olympics” — a term that the folks at ProFootballTalk.com so often use.
While speed is not the only thing that makes a solid NFL running back, it catches the eyes of scouts and NFL personnel. If Gerhart goes into the combine and puts all of his hard work on display, he could work his way into the top five running backs in this class.