Scouting Report: Illinois Running Back Mikel LeShoure

Vision: LeShoure burst onto the scene in 2010, and a large reason for his success is his superior vision. LeShoure is the prototypical zone running back. He is a one-cut and go type of runner, and in order to be successful in that regard, you have to show patience. LeShoure showed this season that he has exceptional patience and he hits the hole hard.

Accelleration/Quickness/Burst: This is an area that LeShoure is going to make his money. His short area quickness and burst are a huge reason for his success at Illinois. This is a guy who isn’t exceptionally fast, but he is very quick out of the gates and when he gets into the open field, he is a load to take down.

Elusiveness/Agility: If you’re using Barry Sanders as a measuring meter, then this is definitely not LeShoure’s area of strength. However, for his 6’0″ 230 pound frame, he is surprisingly nimble. LeShoure is often compared to the man he took over for as the star runner at Illinois in Rashard Mendenhall, who is exceptionally agile for his size. I don’t know that I’d put LeShoure in that class, but he’s definitely not below average in this regard. He can make plays other than just bowling people over.

Passing Game: He didn’t catch a ton of balls, but Illinois is not a potent passing offense. That being said, he has caught 31 passes over the last two years, and five of them have gone for touchdowns. He’s averaging more than a first down per reception, so this is obviously a guy you want to get in space. He’s not an elite receiver, but he gets the job done and he is efficient. As a blocker, the jury is still out. He was a primary focus of the offense, and Illinois is not known for their passing. This will be an area that he is absolutely tested at the next level.

Power: Potentially the key to his game. LeShoure is a huge back and it shows. He will absolutely blow people up in the running game, and will take no prisoners. He is physical, he is mean, and he is everything you look for in a power back. He is a zone runner who will bowl people over at the next level. I think he has a huge future in this area. He will make his mark in the NFL in this area.

Size: Superb size for a running back. He is built to carry a major workload. With a 6’0″ frame, he carries about 230 pounds and I guess you could get nit-picky and have him shed maybe 5-7 pounds, but not too much more. He has a well built lower body, and uses it to drive the pile and get tough extra yardage.

Speed: This is an area where LeShoure could surprise come time for the Scouting Combine. I don’t expect him to be blazing fast, but definitely not in the 4.6 range. I think he will run in the 4.5 range and cement himself as a 2nd round pick or better.

Final Word: I have really been growing on LeShoure as the 2010 season progressed, and became more enamored with him after the Baylor game. He is one of the best backs in the draft, and rivals Mark Ingram as the best overall tailback. In my opinion, he is worthy of a mid first round selection, but he will likely go in the 2nd round, and the team that takes him will be more than happy with the results. He is a guy who will get tough yardage, and he has an intriguing combination of size, speed, quickness, and burst. He has a high ceiling, and could turn out to be the most complete back in the whole draft.