NFL Draft Scouting Report: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

“Trent Richardson may be the best running back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson. He possesses rare strength and speed for an individual his size. He has all the intangibles that you went in a player. Passionate about the game, has a great work ethic, and performs his best against the strongest of competition. He has been a significant contributor since his freshman year and has continued to grow and get better as a football player year after year finishing 3rd in the heisman race in 2011.”

“Many teams opt for the two back system in the NFL, I think teams would be doing him dis service in using him that way. He brings the exploseiveness that you see out of some of the smaller back in the the NFL, as well as the physical play that you see out of some the bigger backs in the NFL. He can carry the load and only gets stronger as the game goes on. I see Trent as a top ten pick in this years draft.”

Background/Character
From everything we know Trent has a reputation for working extremely hard in the weight room, is a good pracitce player, and has never been in trouble for any off the field incidents. Loves football, and is the proud father of two daughters. He carries a B + plus average in school.  Is a team player was the back up to 2009 Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram in 2009 and 2010.

Despite being a backup he was a significant contributor to the tide earning All-SEC Fresman team in 2009 and 2nd team All-SEC honors both as a running back and a return specialist.  As a first year starter he finished 3rd in the heisman race, and put on his best performances against the top competition.

Athleticism
Trent displays the prototypical size and build that you want to see from an every down running back. Has excellent strength particularly in the lower body. He shows very good lateral agility for a player of his size, with his ability to acellerate when making his cuts. He displays sbove average quickness and C.O.D, has a good burst, and will make defenders miss with his start and stop ability.  Is a very straightline runner keeping his knees high, making it very difficult for defenders to trip up. He is a little stiff and lacks great suddeness in his C.O.D, but he has very good speed and athleticism for a player his size that makes up for it.

Running Ability
Trent is a powerful runner that loves contact. Does a great job getting yards after contact. Is the type of player that is going to wear down a defense, and get stronger as the game goes on. It is a struggle for defenders to bring him down, especially when he reaches that second level.  Does a great job breaking tackles, defenders seem to bounce off him. Is a straightline runner that runs high  and very rarely will you ever see him get tripped up and is not a guy that is going to be taken down by an arm tackle. 

Very tough inside runner who likes to lower his shoulder and deliver blows. He does a good of always falling forward for positive yards. He shows very good speed and shows ability to turn the corner. Is a very explosive player, and if he reaches the second level can outrun defensive backs, and take it to the house. Can make that quick cut and accelerate quickly and hit that second gear.

Running Style
Trent displays good vision and natural running insticts. Does a good job of making a quick cut and hitting the hole hard. Shows excellent patience as a runner always waits for his blocks. Makes quick decisions doesn’t get caught dancing around or trying to bounce every run to the outside. Is a very competitive ballplayer that  plays with great intenisty. While he shows great patience he is very agressive in the sense that he refuses to go down, and is never going to steps out of bounds instead opting to lower his shoulder and pick up that extra yard or two.  Is a very reliable player ball security has never been much of an issue with him throughout his career. Has lost only one fumble his whole career and that was midway through his fresman year.

Non-Running
Trents blocking really shows what he is all about as a competitor. Smart player shows very good awareness and understanding of his assignments in pass protection. He does a great job picking up blitzers and looks to do jmore than just block, but shows great agression and looks to light up defenders. Even in situations as a lead blocker he shows that same agression and mentality. Type of player that gets just as much joy throwing a great block for his teammates than a great run.

They don’t ask him to line up as a reciever to often, that is area that could use some growth and is an area were he would need to get better at getting in and out of his breaks. Does a very good job catching the ball out of the backfield displaying strong hands, and the ability to take a short pass for a big play. The past two seasons he is avg 12 ypc and get a td every seven receptions. Trent also has displayed good ability as a kick returner in his career, and has the skill set to be a very good in that role at the next level.

Summary
Trent Richardson may be the best running back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson. He possesses rare strength and speed for an individual his size. He has all the intangibles that you went in a player. Passionate about the game, has a great work ethic, and performs his best against the strongest of competition. He has been a significant contributor since his freshman year and has continued to grow and get better as a football player year after year finishing 3rd in the heisman race in 2011. Strong stiff Arm does a good job in pass protection does a good job picking up the blitz.

Trent is a throwback runner who is tough as nails he never runs out of bounds, he initiates contact to pick up those extra years. He has excellent power who doesn’t go down easily, defenders bounce off him and he does a great job of getting yac. He plays with a great intensity, is a tough inside runner who has enough speed to bounce it outside and take it to the house. Is a good short yardage back but is a very explosive player at the same time and once he reaches the second level, he shows the ability to outrun defensive backs and take it to the house. I see Trent as a complete running  back he does a great job in pass protection showing good awareness and blocks with the same intensity that he runs with. He is not much of a route runner at this point, but it is not put in those situations very often.

Trent still displays strong hands, does a good job in the screen game and cathing a swing pass for huge gains. Trent to me is a throwback player, running backs this tough and this physical are harder to find around the NFL these days. Many teams opt for the two back system in the NFL, I think teams would be doing him dis service in using him that way. He brings the exploseiveness that you see out of some of the smaller back in the the NFL, as well as the physical play that you see out of some the bigger backs in the NFL. He can carry the load and only gets stronger as the game goes on. I see Trent as a top ten pick in this years draft.