Sony Michel, RB, Georgia: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report
The guy who was just Nick Chubb’s backup at Georgia is now one of the top running back prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft: Sony Michel.
Sony Michel, a 2014 five-star recruit, started 11 of 47 career games at Georgia. He primarily lined up at running back in the Bulldogs offense. As a freshman in 2014, he missed five games as a result of a broken shoulder blade which was reaggravated the following spring. In his sophomore season, Michel played in every game despite breaking a bone in his right hand in the first quarter of the Florida game. He returned later in the game and carried the ball 13 times after the injury. Prior to his junior season in 2016, Michel suffered an open fracture of his left forearm in an ATV accident, causing him to miss the season opener. In 2017, Michel missed one game after suffering a minor injury to his right ankle. Prior to arriving at Georgia, he suffered a torn ACL in 2011 as a high school sophomore.
Michel was named the school’s offensive MVP as a sophomore after taking over the starting duties from Nick Chubb, who suffered a serious knee injury during the season. For his career, he rushed the ball 591 times for 3,638 yards and 33 touchdowns. He added 64 receptions, 621 yards and six scores through the air. He’s played for three head coaches and three offensive coordinators during his college career. He earned an invitation to the Scouting Combine. He possesses solid size on a well-balanced frame with solid athletic ability.
Age During Rookie Season: 23 (February 17, 1995)
Measurables
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Games Watched
2017: Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt
2016: Tennessee
Strengths
After taking the handoff, Sony Michel displays good patience behind the line of scrimmage as he waits for his blocks to develop. Once the lane is identified, he utilizes solid athletic ability to hit the hole. He possesses a good burst and the play speed necessary to explode through the opening before it closes.
That burst can be seen clearly in the play below from the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma. On his first carry of the game, Michel methodically works his way laterally before finding a lane between the right tackle and pulling right guard. He puts his foot in the ground and cuts upfield, displaying a very good burst to explode through the hole and pick up 20 yards on the play.
When met by a defender in the hole, Michel demonstrates very good play strength as he punishes his opponent while maintaining balance through contact. His strength allows him to push the pile forward and maximize yards after contact. As seen in the clip below against Vanderbilt, Michel has no trouble staying on his feet after running over an opponent. In the open field, he possesses solid vision to elude defenders and maximize his gain.
Georgia Bulldogs Football
Michel’s power led him to be a reliable short-yardage back at Georgia despite being referred to as the lightning to Nick Chubb’s thunder. He demonstrated good competitive toughness to pick up the yardage needed in critical situations. He stepped up not only in critical situations, but in critical games as well. Michel rose to the occasion in big games, most notably in the College Football Playoff. His 279 rushing yards were the most in a two-game stretch in his career other than the final two games of the 2015 regular season when he was the primary running back due to Chubb’s knee injury. His 41 receiving yards against Oklahoma was also the highest he had recorded in a game since the 2015 season opener.
One of Michel’s best runs of the season came on this play against Vanderbilt. The two linebackers are the key. The center comes off a double team and climbs to the second level to take number 20 out of the play. The lone defender in position to make a play is number 4. Michel stares him down before and after taking the handoff and briefly hesitates as the linebacker continues to move toward the line of scrimmage. Michel makes a lateral cut to the open hole in the A gap while the linebacker is caught in traffic and unable to close the running lane. Michel bursts through the hole and powers through an attempted arm tackle. Despite being contacted twice, he maintains his balance and stays inbounds on his way to a 50-yard touchdown run.
As a receiver, Michel displays solid awareness to find the soft spot in the defense and gives his quarterback a large window in which to place the football. As a blocker, he utilizes a good anchor to hold his ground and allow the quarterback more time to throw the football.
On this play, Michel steps up and delivers a couple of solid blows to the Oklahoma edge rusher before releasing to the second level. He displays very good awareness as he sees the quarterback scramble and rolls with him to allow for a much easier throw. After the catch he’s able to elude defenders for a big gain.
Weaknesses
The Georgia offensive line is very good at opening large rushing lanes, however when the hole isn’t there, Michel struggles to improvise as a result of adequate vision and gets caught up in traffic. When making his cut behind the line of scrimmage, marginal agility hampers his ability to change directions quickly and drive upfield.
Despite being one of the more elusive runners in this year’s draft class, Michel will attempt to run over defenders rather than make a lateral move due to marginal instincts. In the open field, he lacks the extra gear to separate from defensive backs and can be caught from behind even when a defender takes a poor angle.
Michel demonstrates poor ball security as he fails to protect the football in traffic and through contact. He fumbled on 12 of his 660 career touches for a fumble rate of 1.82 percent. This ranks 28th out of the 29 running backs (only Jeffery Wilson of North Texas fumbled more often) attending the 2018 Scouting Combine.
Below are two examples of Michel losing the football. In the first play he keeps the ball loose and away from his body, causing it to come free as the defender makes contact with his helmet.
In the next play, Michel fails to cover up the ball through traffic at the goal line. Two Tennessee defenders combine to make the stop and poke the ball free.
As a receiver, Michel displays adequate hands and allows the ball into his chest. After securing the pass, he is slow to gather himself and turn upfield. On this play against Notre Dame, Michel catches the pass with his chest and nearly stumbles over his own feet as he turns upfield. With blockers in front, this initially looked as though it would be a big play. Instead, his inability to turn upfield quickly allowed the defense to close in and stop him for a loss of two yards.
Overall
Overall, Sony Michel is a complementary running back at the next level who wins with his initial burst and finishing ability. He’s not someone who should be utilized as a workhorse. There are several reasons why he should be a part of a tandem, his injury history, ball security issues and struggles as a receiver to name a few. His best situation would be one which sees him carry the ball 12-16 times per game.
Next: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Michel is best suited for a zone rushing attack where he can make one cut and get upfield quickly. His performance in the College Football Playoff has raised his 2018 NFL Draft stock and a solid Combine performance will cement his status as a day two prospect.