2021 NFL Draft: This year’s dark horse in a talented running back class
By Jonah Hovis
Keaontay Ingram could be a sleeper in a 2021 NFL Draft running back class that is filled with big names.
The 2021 NFL Draft running back class is filled with a bunch of young and exciting names. Travis Etienne seems to be the top running back in many big boards along with Chuba Hubbard and Trey Sermon. Also, Kenneth Gainwell out of Memphis is getting a lot of hype, while young guy Zamir White is worth paying attention to as well. A guy who isn’t getting as much pop is the Texas Longhorn runner Keaontay Ingram, who could be a steal for an organization in a later round.
Last season, Ingram became a versatile weapon for the Longhorns in both the run and pass game. Ingram rushed for 853 yards and found the endzone 7 times in the 2019-20 College Football season. Ingram was also a weapon for Sam Elligher in the passing game snagging 29 catches for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Ingram has a lot of attributes to be a three-down back in the league and proved it on tape.
Ingram possesses the technique at the running backs position has become common in the league, having great body control and patience at the line of scrimmage. Also having a great ability to stick his foot and change directions to then create a foot race to the endzone against the second and third levels of defense. Also, Ingram going from 190 pounds to 222 pounds this season and standing at 6-feet tall makes his skill set an even more lethal of a weapon in different schemes.
One game that showed why Ingram could be a big asset for an NFL team last year was when the Long Horns face Kansas State in 2019. Ingram was handed the ball 16 times running for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Ingram was used in the read-option scheme, which Texas loves with their mobile quarterback, making great reactions and footwork to gain yards.
In this game, Ingram showed his ability to break down defenders and juke his way into the endzone with great body control and technique against one of the better defensive teams in the Big 12.
Patient back who reminds of an NFL star
Three words to describe Ingram running technique at the line of scrimmage would be patience, patience, and patience. It was popularized by Le’Veon Bell in his days in Pittsburgh where he waits at the line of scrimmage for blocks to develop and then explode up the field. Then when in open space Ingram shows great footwork and control to maneuver his way upfield.
A part of his game that is underrated is his role in the passing game. Many may go to his wide-open drop in the end zone against LSU early in the season, but he has a great pass-catching arsenal in his game to be a dual-threat running back. Sneaky good route running ability in wheel routes and catching screens in the backfield and then using his running ability to gain yards is a big asset to his game.
Next. Three-Round 2021 NFL mock draft. dark
He is a guy who probably will not wow us through the 2021 NFL Draft process with a super-fast 40-yard dash or other drills showing athleticism, but he will test at an adequate level.
Currently, Ingram is projected to be a fourth to fifth-round pick, but with a good season this year, you could see him rise in 2021 NFL Draft boards. This past year’s draft you saw a guy like Cam Akers, who was a third to fourth-round guy, get selected in the second round. Don’t be surprised if Ingram is an under the radar guy who goes higher than draft experts say.