Soma Vainuku, FB, USC: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Sam Weaver
USC fullback Soma Vainuku enters the 2016 NFL draft as a redshirt senior. Vainuku had nine starts in his college career, but contributed in the majority of USC’s games during his last two seasons.
He has good size and build, and has shown to be a reliable blocker.
Vainuku made significant contributions as a special teams player, for which he was awarded first-team All-Pac 12 honors.
Position: FB
School: USC
Height: 6’0
Weight: 255
Career Stats: 144 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 17 receptions, 124 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, three blocked punts (one for a safety)
Strengths:
Soma Vainuku’s contributions to special teams are an asset to any NFL team looking to draft him. He has 37 career special teams tackles, showing his effectiveness when it comes to on kick return coverage. He has also tallied three blocked punts, one of which resulted in a safety for the Trojans.
He has also shown promise as a blocker, and exhibited the ability to contribute to both the run game and the receiving core. At 6’0, 265 lbs, Vainuku’s size allows him to run through defenders.
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Weaknesses:
In his last two seasons with USC, Vainuku did not catch a single pass. In fact, most of his offensive contribution came in his first two seasons with the Trojans.
Though he has shown promise, he needs to improve as a tackler and as a blocker. With his major contributions coming as a special teams player, Vainuku appears to a be a one-dimensional addition to a team.
Projection:
With the fullback position disappearing from NFL prevalence, Soma Vainuku will have to rely on his special teams contributions to catch the eye of an NFL team.
Soma Vainuku has the size, speed, and physical ability to be competitive in the league, but will have to revive his offensive talents and improve his consistency as a blocker to truly become the full package.