NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up In Week 1

Dec 20, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire (15) runs against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half of the New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Neveda 16-3. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Elijah McGuire (RB – Louisiana-Lafayette) vs. Kentucky

Elijah McGuire is a name many won’t recognize right away, but he’s someone who could be among the first handful of backs selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.

As a sophomore in 2014, McGuire was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. There’s a very good chance he’ll win the award this year as well. Now that QB Terrance Broadway has wrapped up his college career, the bulk of the load will be placed on McGuire’s shoulders. His biggest challenge will be this Saturday against Kentucky.

McGuire has great speed for a RB and displays good elusiveness out of the backfield both as a runner and as a receiver. That speed will be tested as he takes on an SEC defense. McGuire, who leads all active FBS backs with 7.9 yards per carry, has taken on the SEC twice before. He has faced Arkansas and Ole Miss over the past two seasons; however wasn’t the feature back in either game. As a result he carried the ball a total of just 13 times, but did gain 78 yards. Expect him to surpass 13 carries in the first half against Kentucky. For the Ragin’ Cajuns to pull off the upset, McGuire must have a big day.

Next: Lloyd Carrington