Small College/Division II RB's we might look at

[footstepsfrom#27]

Anybody seen any of these guys play?

Assuming we don't move up for Peterson or Lynch...or maybe take Bush in our own spot...there are some small college and Division II guys out there who look interesting. Scoping out 5 of these prospects flying beneath the radar due to their small school status, check em out...does anyone know anything about any of these guys from seeing them play? Here's a list of potential RB's we might think about later in the draft. These are not ranked in any kind of order, and the info is taken from multiple sites so some of this may not be completely accurate in terms of 40 times, size, etc...

1) Germain Race; 5'11", 225 lbs, 4.7 40 time (approx) Pittsburgh State University, unvelievably productive runner at Division II, ranked by many the #1 small college player in the country, #13 RB on one NFL draft list. Stats: Almost 7,000 yards rushing and 107 career TD's, including 2,213 yards and a 9.0 ypc average as a sophmore...2006/ 310 carries, 1944 yards, 6.3 ypc, 31 TD's...#1 in TD's in NCAA history.

Year GP Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds TD
2003 12 145 982 6.8 17 3 22 1
2004 15 247 2,213 9.0 26 4 31 1
2005 13 239 1,846 7.7 33 2 27 0
2006 12 310 1,944 6.3 31 5 57 0
Totals 52 941 6,985 7.4 107 14 137 2

2) Marcus Mason; 5'9", 215 lbs, 4.48 40 time, Youngstown State; IAA All American runner, Gateway Conference Player of the Year, finished 4th in the Walter Payton Award for top IAA offensive performer; transfered from Illinois University in 2005, stats: 2006/ 303 carries, 1847 yards, 6.1 ypc, 95 long, 23 TD's; 2005/ 176 carries, 892 yards, 5.1 ypc, 45 long, 8 TD's, finished 2nd in the nation in rushing with 156.8 ypgand 2nd in scoring as well; Notes: 478 carries with 0 fumbles in his career at YSU, 10 games over 100 yards in 2006, including games of 265 and 249, averaged 99 yards per game in his junior year, however he caught only 12 passess in 2 years, very compactly built with low center of gravity, has returned kickoffs as well. All time Maryland high school leader in rushing, TD's and scoring.

3) D.D. Terry; 6'1 1/2", 195 lbs, 4.48 40 time, Sam Houston State, Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Stats: 2006/ 215 carres, 1328 yards, 15 TD's, 6.1 ypc, 22 catches, 237 yards, 10.9 ypc, and 1 TD receiving. Notes: had games of 258 and 273 for SHS, transfered from Baylor, played safety and LB and recorded 45 tackles with 9 for losses before switching to RB in 2005, gained 86 yards on 21 carries in his first start at RB against national champion Texas in 2005. Member of Southland Conference 4x100 and 4x400 relay chanpion teams. Outstanding vision and burst through the hole.

4) Justise Hairston; 6'1", 210 lbs, 4.4 40 time, Central Connecticut State University, Stats: 2006/ 277 carries, 1847 yards, 6.7 ypc, 20 TD's, Notes: 2006 Walter Peyton Award Finalist, NEC Offensive Player of the Year, 3rd Team AP All American, transfer from Rutgers, originally signed at Iowa, recruited by Michigan and Penn State. Notes: gained 332 yards on 23 carries and scored 5 TD's against St. Francis, Rutgers fans considered him equal with Brian Leonard when he transfered, but said he had problems with fumbling, one board lists him as only a 7th round draft pick in the NFL.

5) Clifton Dawson; 5'10", 210 lbs, 4.48 40 time, Harvard; Stats: 2006/ 1213 yard rushing, 20 TD's, rushed for over 1000 yards all 4 years at Harvard, transfered from Northwestern, ranked the 6th best Division II prospect in the country by one webiste, Notes: strong with good balance

[Elway777]

All those guys could be second day steals. I wish they where at the combine to see how they look agaist top players. Marcus Mason sounds like a real good player and might use a 6 round pick on him.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Elway777

All those guys could be second day steals. I wish they where at the combine to see how they look agaist top players. Marcus Mason sounds like a real good player and might use a 6 round pick on him.

I'm intrigued by both him and the Race kid...225 and monster production, not over 1 year but his entire career. He might be a Mike Anderson type we could run inside and move Tatum back to his change of pace role.

[Elway777]

I think Race is the only guy that will be at the combines. I think it might make a sound late round draft pick.I really like Mason. He is that only 5-9 but weights 215 plus he runs under 4.5. This means he is build like a tank plus he has the speed to take it the distance. He was Maryland all time rushing yard leader plus its all time touchdown scorer in high school. He also returns kickoff. I think all those guys on the list would be worth drafting late or sign them as undrfted free agents. The Broncos also have Andra Hall on the practice sqaud and he also has potential.

[Broncoman13]

Marcus Mason is the guy on that list that sounds intriguing... never seen him play though.

I picture a poor man's Maurice Jones-Drew. His height and weight are probably closer to 5'7" and 200 lbs. (Guessing, but schools love to inflate size numbers).

[Dedhed]

2) Marcus Mason; 5'9", 215 lbs, 4.48 40 time, Youngstown State; IAA All American runner, Gateway Conference Player of the Year, finished 4th in the Walter Payton Award for top IAA offensive performer; transfered from Illinois University in 2005, stats: 2006/ 303 carries, 1847 yards, 6.1 ypc, 95 long, 23 TD's; 2005/ 176 carries, 892 yards, 5.1 ypc, 45 long, 8 TD's, finished 2nd in the nation in rushing with 156.8 ypgand 2nd in scoring as well; Notes: 478 carries with 0 fumbles in his career at YSU, 10 games over 100 yards in 2006, including games of 265 and 249, averaged 99 yards per game in his junior year, however he caught only 12 passess in 2 years, very compactly built with low center of gravity, has returned kickoffs as well. All time Maryland high school leader in rushing, TD's and scoring.

4) Justise Hairston; 6'1", 210 lbs, 4.4 40 time, Central Connecticut State University, Stats: 2006/ 277 carries, 1847 yards, 6.7 ypc, 20 TD's, Notes: 2006 Walter Peyton Award Finalist, NEC Offensive Player of the Year, 3rd Team AP All American, transfer from Rutgers, originally signed at Iowa, recruited by Michigan and Penn State. Notes: gained 332 yards on 23 carries and scored 5 TD's against St. Francis, Rutgers fans considered him equal with Brian Leonard when he transfered, but said he had problems with fumbling, one board lists him as only a 7th round draft pick in the NFL.

These two sound interesting to me. I've seen some footage of Race, and wasn't impressed at all. He looks utterly lethargic to me. Big round cuts, doesn't make anybody miss, and doesn't outrun even LBs. Will run through tackles, but that alone isn't very impressive against 185 pound tacklers. I don't see him being a viable HB in the NFL. Could develop into a FB.

[Dedhed]

Did anyone see Hairston at the Texas vs. Nation game?

[Dedhed]

In this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sVkV...elated&search=

Marcus Mason looks like he could be perfect for the Broncos system. Prototypical cutback runner.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Dedhed

2) Marcus Mason; 5'9", 215 lbs, 4.48 40 time, Youngstown State; IAA All American runner, Gateway Conference Player of the Year, finished 4th in the Walter Payton Award for top IAA offensive performer; transfered from Illinois University in 2005, stats: 2006/ 303 carries, 1847 yards, 6.1 ypc, 95 long, 23 TD's; 2005/ 176 carries, 892 yards, 5.1 ypc, 45 long, 8 TD's, finished 2nd in the nation in rushing with 156.8 ypgand 2nd in scoring as well; Notes: 478 carries with 0 fumbles in his career at YSU, 10 games over 100 yards in 2006, including games of 265 and 249, averaged 99 yards per game in his junior year, however he caught only 12 passess in 2 years, very compactly built with low center of gravity, has returned kickoffs as well. All time Maryland high school leader in rushing, TD's and scoring.

4) Justise Hairston; 6'1", 210 lbs, 4.4 40 time, Central Connecticut State University, Stats: 2006/ 277 carries, 1847 yards, 6.7 ypc, 20 TD's, Notes: 2006 Walter Peyton Award Finalist, NEC Offensive Player of the Year, 3rd Team AP All American, transfer from Rutgers, originally signed at Iowa, recruited by Michigan and Penn State. Notes: gained 332 yards on 23 carries and scored 5 TD's against St. Francis, Rutgers fans considered him equal with Brian Leonard when he transfered, but said he had problems with fumbling, one board lists him as only a 7th round draft pick in the NFL.

These two sound interesting to me. I've seen some footage of Race, and wasn't impressed at all. He looks utterly lethargic to me. Big round cuts, doesn't make anybody miss, and doesn't outrun even LBs. Will run through tackles, but that alone isn't very impressive against 185 pound tacklers. I don't see him being a viable HB in the NFL. Could develop into a FB.

Dedhed, what footage have you seen? I'm wondering about him because I like looking for back door source information on players that doesn't make it into the "official" or semi-official NFL draft sites. I found a Vikings fan on one of their sites who was suggesting they ought to draft him, and this guy claims to have played against him. He said he's the real deal..."money" he called him...who knows if he's telling the truth, and even if he is it doesn't mean much but sometimes you can find info on some of these guys...the Hairston kid had comments on him from Rutgers fans who saw him play...that kind of thing...but back to Race; he must have done something right becaue those are flat out enormous numbers he put up...granted not against great competition but when you're talking over 2200 yards rushing and 9.0 ypc there has to be some talent there. One website listed his 40 time as 4.6...that's Mike Anderson/Terrell Davis speed...I'm interested to see what he does at the combine. With our history of finding late round backs, one of these guys might figure in somewhere.

[Dedhed]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Dedhed, what footage have you seen? I'm wondering about him because I like looking for back door source information on players that doesn't make it into the "official" or semi-official NFL draft sites. I found a Vikings fan on one of their sites who was suggesting they ought to draft him, and this guy claims to have played against him. He said he's the real deal..."money" he called him...who knows if he's telling the truth, and even if he is it doesn't mean much but sometimes you can find info on some of these guys...the Hairston kid had comments on him from Rutgers fans who saw him play...that kind of thing...but back to Race; he must have done something right becaue those are flat out enormous numbers he put up...granted not against great competition but when you're talking over 2200 yards rushing and 9.0 ypc there has to be some talent there. One website listed his 40 time as 4.6...that's Mike Anderson/Terrell Davis speed...I'm interested to see what he does at the combine. With our history of finding late round backs, one of these guys might figure in somewhere.

Here's some highlight footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7WVa...elated&search=

[Crushaholic]

I haven't seen Germaine Race play, but I don't doubt that he's a good one. Pittsburg State has been one of the elite Division II programs in the state for many years...

*edit* OK, after watching the YouTube videos of Race and Mason, I agree with Dedhed and the Broncos should take a good look at Mason. Race would actually make a good FB in the NFL...

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Dedhed

Here's some highlight footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7WVa...elated&search=

Ok...I'm looking for the bad stuff... This dude looks like Hershell Walker in this video.

[Crushaholic]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Ok...I'm looking for the bad stuff... This dude looks like Hershell Walker in this video.

I wouldn't go so far as to say he has "bad stuff". Race runs over defenders, which is a good thing. Mason is more fitting of Denver's style of running, IMO...

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Dedhed

In this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sVkV...elated&search=

Marcus Mason looks like he could be perfect for the Broncos system. Prototypical cutback runner.

Hey I just now saw the Mason video...wow that is some impressive explosion.

[DBroncos4life]

This doesn't have anything to do with this year but watch out for this guy next year.

Danny Woodhead

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs...Never_Heard_Of

The Best Running Back You Have Never Heard Of
Sep 10, 2006 | 8:16AM | report this Tucked away among the small college results on Saturday, Montana State played their follow-up contest after shocking the World by beating Colorado 19-10 to open their season. One would think that after beating Colorado, demolishing Division II Chadron State would be easy.

Think again.

Montana State lost on Saturday to the Eagles 35-24. Instead of boosting their power rating for a Division I-AA playoff push, the Bobcats are left scratching their heads. One week after holding Colorado 106 yards rushing, Montana State failed to contain the best running back hardly anybody has heard of.

His name, Danny Woodhead. Woodhead came out of North Platte, NE with some hype while leading his Bulldogs deep into the Nebraska State Playoffs as a senior. Woodhead set numerous Class A (Nebraska’s large school division) records on his quest for an NCAA Division I offer.

Woodhead scored 34 touchdowns as a senior, a Class A record. His 76 touchdowns over his career were also a Class A record. He rushed for another Class A record with 4,891 yards over his career.

As a junior against Omaha Westside, Woodhead tallied six touchdowns, which is tied for a Class A record.






For a state that produced such players as Gale Sayers, Ahman Green, and Eric Crouch, normally one would think that a Division I offer would be coming. Woodhead was listed at 5-foot-8, 190 pounds coming out of high school.

Woodhead received only walk-on interest from Nebraska, Northwestern, and ironically Colorado. Instead of walking on Woodhead enrolled at Chadron State.

Woodhead immediately paid dividends for the Eagles. As a true freshman in 2004, Woodhead exploded onto the scene. He led NCAA Division II in rushing with 1,840 yards and also scored 25 rushing touchdowns. Woodhead had a 306-yard game in his freshman season.

His sophomore season was pretty much the same. He piled up 1,769 yards and 21 touchdowns. His season high in 2005 was 304 yards against Mesa State.

Already in 2006, Woodhead has failed to disappoint. In their season-opening victory over the University of Mary, he rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

Then Saturday when most of the World wasn’t watching, Woodhead did what mighty Colorado could not do. Woodhead rumbled for 215 yards and two more touchdowns.

If the University of Nebraska, who is renowned for their walk-on program, have ever missed on a player, it’s Danny Woodhead.

My first experience watching Woodhead was in basketball as the Nebraska State Tournament in 2004. In the state’s two biggest newspapers, the Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star, would have their write-ups about North Platte, and I would always see this Woodhead kid score tons of points on the hardwood.

Woodhead had an off-night as they lost to eventual state champion Bellevue West. But, there was something special about Woodhead.

You could easily tell he was the best athlete on the floor, even better than Josh Dotzler, who is the starting point guard at Creighton. Woodhead’s “off-night” was a mere 26 points. For a 5-foot-8 guard, he missed all of his three-point attempts.

Woodhead deserves a chance after next season in the college all-star games, and he deserves a chance to show NFL teams what he can do on an NFL roster. Woodhead is that good.

[Elway777]

Another thing you got to like about Mason is 478 carries with no fumbles.

[Dedhed]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Ok...I'm looking for the bad stuff... This dude looks like Hershell Walker in this video.

I don't see that at all. I see big round cuts that take too long to develop. Slow feet in the hole. He runs through contact, but look at the size of the tacklers. These are 180 pounders. Bounces too many runs outside, which to me often signals a lack of vision.

He just runs in big slow arcs to my eye. They are powerful, but no sharp cuts, no burst.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Dedhed

I don't see that at all. I see big round cuts that take too long to develop. Slow feet in the hole. He runs through contact, but look at the size of the tacklers. These are 180 pounders. Bounces too many runs outside, which to me often signals a lack of vision.

He just runs in big slow arcs to my eye. They are powerful, but no sharp cuts, no burst.

Well first of all he's obviously not running over 180 pounders...they're much bigger than that even in high school. I doubt the size of these guys differs signficantly from the average Division I school...though the talent level is obviously lower overall for sure. Of course so is the talent of his blockers too. Second, I think it's awfully tough to gauge the guy's game with a few video clips. Mike Anderson didn't cut like Clinton Portis but he still ran for 1500 yards behind our line. There has to be something significant there for him to post those kind of numbers. He's playing against the same level of competition as Mason and the other players on this list, but none of them put up the kind of monstrous numbers this dude did for 4 years. I'll admit that Mason did look better in the video however, like he had NFL caliber speed and moves. Again...what about blocking and catching? We don't see any of that in the videos. Also, a lot of those huge bursts from Mason reminded me of Tatum's runs, so I'd like to know if the guy is a true chain mover or just a breakaway back who takes a couple to the house every game but can't get a yard on 4th and 1 inside the 5 yard line.

I want to see what both of them look like at the combine, if they're at the combine. If I were Shanny I'd certainly want to check them out closely because the production even at the IAA level for these guys really speaks pretty loudly. Unless this Race dude is just a MoC type guy who can't run, which seems hard to believe, I'm thinking somebody will certainly give him a shot. I haven't seen either of them ini Kiper's reports but then maybe he'll add them into a sleeper's section or something.

[Dedhed]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Well first of all he's obviously not running over 180 pounders...they're much bigger than that even in high school. I doubt the size of these guys differs signficantly from the average Division I school...though the talent level is obviously lower overall for sure. Of course so is the talent of his blockers too. Second, I think it's awfully tough to gauge the guy's game with a few video clips. Mike Anderson didn't cut like Clinton Portis but he still ran for 1500 yards behind our line. There has to be something significant there for him to post those kind of numbers. He's playing against the same level of competition as Mason and the other players on this list, but none of them put up the kind of monstrous numbers this dude did for 4 years. I'll admit that Mason did look better in the video however, like he had NFL caliber speed and moves. Again...what about blocking and catching? We don't see any of that in the videos. Also, a lot of those huge bursts from Mason reminded me of Tatum's runs, so I'd like to know if the guy is a true chain mover or just a breakaway back who takes a couple to the house every game but can't get a yard on 4th and 1 inside the 5 yard line.

I want to see what both of them look like at the combine, if they're at the combine. If I were Shanny I'd certainly want to check them out closely because the production even at the IAA level for these guys really speaks pretty loudly. Unless this Race dude is just a MoC type guy who can't run, which seems hard to believe, I'm thinking somebody will certainly give him a shot. I haven't seen either of them in Kiper's reports but then maybe he'll add them into a sleeper's section or something.

I agree with most of that take, but not the part about Mason resembling Tatum in any way other than speed. Almost every run Mason has in that clip goes between the tackles, and he cuts up into the right lane and is gone. I've seen Tatum do that once or twice, but much more often on his long runs he's just burning around the edges. There are certainly a lot of questions about Mason, but he looks like a much better fit for what we do.

I certainly haven't closed the book on Race. It's always difficult to discount production, but I'm just not impressed with that footage. Remember that every time you step down a level there is going to be a greater disparity between the good teams and the bad ones. Pitt has been a dominant DII school for years, so every recruit that doesn't go DI is going to have Pitt very high on their list. Meaning that there going to get better players than most DII schools across the board.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Dedhed

I agree with most of that take, but not the part about Mason resembling Tatum in any way other than speed. Almost every run Mason has in that clip goes between the tackles, and he cuts up into the right lane and is gone. I've seen Tatum do that once or twice, but much more often on his long runs he's just burning around the edges. There are certainly a lot of questions about Mason, but he looks like a much better fit for what we do.

I didn't mean that he resembles Tatum. I meant that some of those long runs remind me of seeing Tatum go the distance as well...particuarly the one he had against the Redskins in 2005 for 70 yards...where he simply outran everyone down the field. Obviously the kid has excellent speed, but what I'm also interested in is whether he can power inside for tough yards, unlike Tatum's game. He probablly can considering his build...just would love to see some footage of that as well.

I certainly haven't closed the book on Race. It's always difficult to discount production, but I'm just not impressed with that footage. Remember that every time you step down a level there is going to be a greater disparity between the good teams and the bad ones. Pitt has been a dominant DII school for years, so every recruit that doesn't go DI is going to have Pitt very high on their list. Meaning that there going to get better players than most DII schools across the board.

That's a good point...can't disagree with that. I'm gonne be looking for info on both these guys down the road as we get closer to the draft to see what kind of buzz, if any...is being generated on them.

[cmhargrove]

If you watch the videos, it's actually Mason (the smaller guy) that breaks all the tackles and turns huge runs. Race usually let tacklers latch on to him and bring him down. Mason kept moving and made himself hard to tackle.

Race seems to have good vision because he could see his holes develop, but his O-line was clearly superior to the competition - he rarely got touched through the line (on the clips). I like seeing a guy like Mason who gets pressure in the backfield, or on the line, then makes something happen. His explosion from the line was enough to keep him ahead of cornerbacks for 50-60 yards.

Mason, Mason, Mason! Although I hate hearing that we might lose Bobby Turner to Miami. Arrggh!

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by cmhargrove

If you watch the videos, it's actually Mason (the smaller guy) that breaks all the tackles and turns huge runs. Race usually let tacklers latch on to him and bring him down. Mason kept moving and made himself hard to tackle.

Race seems to have good vision because he could see his holes develop, but his O-line was clearly superior to the competition - he rarely got touched through the line (on the clips). I like seeing a guy like Mason who gets pressure in the backfield, or on the line, then makes something happen. His explosion from the line was enough to keep him ahead of cornerbacks for 50-60 yards.

Mason, Mason, Mason! Although I hate hearing that we might lose Bobby Turner to Miami. Arrggh!

These guys barely register on the list of RB's I keep seeing...I don't even know if they're invited to the combine...I suspect not. But I'd sure like to see these dudes and the other small school backs test out in some private workouts so we get a picture of what kind of physical talent they have. I don't think we're going to get a back high in this draft so it might be one of these obscure kids that turns into the next Turner wunderkid...