Akrum Wadley ready to ascend to superstar status in 2017
Iowa Hawkeyes running back Akrum Wadley is ready for a starring role in the offense now that he is the unquestioned lead back…
Akrum Wadley is entering his fourth and final season with the Iowa Hawkeyes and is ready for a starring role in 2017.
One of the most intriguing running backs in the country, Wadleys’ yard per carry average has gone up in each of his three seasons at Iowa, including 6.4 per carry in 2016. On 204 touches overall (36 receptions), Wadley averaged 6.8 yards per play and scored 13 total touchdowns.
He proved himself a capable playmaker as both a runner and a receiver, and will enter the 2017 season as really the only ‘guarantee’ on Iowa’s roster in the offensive playmaker department. That’s not only an endorsement for Wadley, but a major negative for the rest of the players around him.
Fortunately for Wadley, Iowa returns a veteran offensive line and the offense will be tailored to do one thing more than any other:
Get him the football.
Watching these highlights, it’s pretty clear why.
As a running back, Wadley is fearless between the tackles, though he doesn’t have the size to really pound it in consistently. That’s not necessarily the name of his game, as Wadley is extremely quick and dangerous in the open field.
Wadley has the type of breakaway speed that NFL scouts covet, but his instinctive running and three-down abilities as a receiver make him a more complete prospect and a perfect fit for today’s NFL.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft Update
Though he’s smaller in stature, Wadley has big time potential at the next level and will open a lot of eyes with his highlight reel runs. What sets him apart for me is the toughness with which he plays at that size, and I think he will really show out as an athlete in the testing process.
In addition to his duties as a running back and receiver, Wadley is expected to assume some kick and/or punt return duties. If he can excel there, he will really turn heads in the scouting world. Some felt like he was already good enough to be a second or third overall pick were he to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Wadley’s stock could continue to rise as teams get to see more of what he’s capable of.