2007 DRAFT PROSPECT PROFILES: RB

[1niksder]

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma… 6-1, 220, 4.42, SR... Arguably the best player in college football who would be a top 2-3 prospect if he entered this year's draft but draft status is up in the air after breaking his collarbone which will sideline him the rest of the 2006 regular season; when healthy, though, Peterson is the whole package with size, speed, strength, plus a bit of an attitude on the field. Powerful 220-pounder who makes a lot of yardage after contact; also has a burst with a reported 40 clocking in the low 4.4 range; also has been timed as low as 10.6 running the 100M. Still more of a north-south runner who isn’t particularly nifty, but runs with good vision and patience; makes one sharp cut and goes with an explosive first step. Not the most technically sound blocker, but will put on a hat on pass-rushers. Already closing in on 4,000 career rushing yards, including over 1,000 yards through the first half of this season during which Peterson averaged 150 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry despite the fact that opposing defenses have been stacked to stop the run because the Sooners don’t have much of a passing attack. Not asked to catch the ball very often in the OU offense and doesn’t have great hands but moves well in space and is a threat to go a long way when he gets the ball in the open. Only real negative is that Peterson tends to run too upright and takes more big hits than he needs to; indeed, Peterson has had some health problems even prior to the collarbone injury this fall; had a nagging ankle injury in 2005; he also had off-season shoulder surgery after his freshman year.



Michael Bush, Louisville, 6-2, 250, 4.60, SR… Bush passed up the chance to be a mid-round pick at the 2006 draft in order to enhance his status with a strong senior campaign with the Cardinals, but it didn’t work out as he missed virtually the entire year after breaking his leg in Louisville’s season-opener. When healthy though was one of the nation’s most productive backs featuring a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. Ran for over 1,100 yards in 2005 when he averaged 5.6 yards per attempt and scored 23 TDs. Big back at 6-2, 250, although he is still more of a finesse runner who can make people miss; also is a patient runner with good instincts who uses his blockers well; has the size to move the pile and is a good shortage runner, but is not a true between-the-tackles grinder as he tends to pick his way through the line rather than just slamming it inside; is also an effective cutback runner working the perimeter. Excellent athlete who was a star high school QB who can throw the halfback option. Also a very good receiver with 49 career receptions. Not a technically sound blocker but will get in the way of pass rushers. Big question for Bush is whether he can stay healthy; tends to run a little high and takes a lot of hits; indeed, in addition to this year’s injury, Bush also missed the final two games of the 2005 campaign with a sprained foot and sat out spring practice the previous year with a broken foot. Also not known as a workout warrior; is probably 15-20 pounds overweight and has a soft body.



Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois… 5-7, 170, 4.45, SR… Arguably the most explosive back in the country, NIU’s Little Big Man is on pace to shatter the 2,000 yard mark for the season; a big-play waiting to happen, Wolfe has great vision and quickness to the hole; also has fluid hips and an explosive first step; can find the crease and has enough speed – he runs the 40 in the 4.45 range - to take it all the way when he breaks clear; patient, instinctive runner who does a nice job setting up blocks; elusive back who makes people miss in the open field; also a very good receiver with soft hands; also a willing blocker but because of lack of size can be overrun. Indeed, there are major concerns about Wolfe’s lack of size, as well as durability questions. Wolfe is generously listed at 5-7, 170 and while he has good strength and toughness for a player that size he just isn’t that physical at the point of attack and likely will never be a prototype between-the-tackles runner at the next level; also has a lengthy injury history: missed three games in 2005 with a sprained knee and missed spring practice this year after having surgery to repair a shoulder which kept popping out; also has never been used much in the return game at NIU

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