2016 NFL Draft: Taking a look at Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise, one of the top backs in this class, playing against Navy…
C.J. Prosise is a favorite back among many draftniks in a group this year that is, in my opinion, really fun. He’s got smaller hands, but every other metric checks out for the Notre Dame running back, who racked up 1,029 rushing yards this past season on just 157 carries. Here’s a quick look at his metrics and comparable players both this year and in years past…
Prospect video scouted (via Draft Breakdown)
Notes
- Clearly this is a player you want to have the ball in space. Prosise is big (220 lbs) but he’s also very fast (4.48 speed) and in addition to that, he’s got great agility and quickness to make defenders miss in the open field.
- Struggles a bit with pass protection. That could be due to the fact that he’s just a young back who is a former receiver and he needs a lot of coaching in that regard.
- As a former receiver, knows how to work himself open in the passing game. He also has a background in special teams (Notre Dame’s special teams player of the year in 2014) and his football instincts are evident. He knows how to make plays.
- Still learning how to read running lanes and be patient. You see Prosise attack the hole very quickly, which works to his advantage when the offensive line is able to clear a big lane for him, but he might also run right into a group of defenders.
- I love his potential in zone-stretch plays. He’s able to cut on a dime and get upfield in a hurry. Averaging close to seven yards a carry, it’s clear that when he gets the ball to the perimeter, he’s hard to defend.
- At this point, Prosise’s game is really more about speed and making people miss rather than trying to drive a pile or take tacklers with him where he goes.
- Love how he keeps his pad level low, and constantly keeps his feet moving. Able to gain extra yards by becoming ‘small’ in traffic despite his 6-0 height.
I really like Prosise’s potential at the next level, and there’s a lot to work with here. The key for him is going to be becoming a ‘featured’ back at the next level by using his 220 pound frame in a more physical way, but the speed, quickness, agility, and vision all appear to be there.