DaRel Scott of Maryland ~ 5.11/210
"Looks a lot thicker on tape than his frame would suggest. Possesses good overall muscle tone through his upper half and is pretty well put together through his legs. Displays an explosive first step when asked to press the hole. Is able to instantly accelerate out of his stance and gets up to top-end speed quickly. Isn’t overly laterally gifted and lacks ideal shiftiness as a runner. However, is a no-nonsense type guy who is patient when asked to set up his blocks, exhibits a good feel in tight areas and can put his foot in the ground and absolutely explode into daylight.
Possesses a real second gear to his game and is consistently able to outpace angles at the second level and create in space. Does a nice job taking short, compact steps once he gets into the open field, allowing him to maintain his balance once he reaches full speed and cleanly sidestep defenders in both tight areas and in space. Isn’t an overly powerful between-the-tackles type runner and struggles to simply push the pile and drive for tough yards. But does a nice job running behind his pads and likes to finish runs. Displays a good forward lean when pressing the hole and into contact, and doesn’t expose his body to a lot of unnecessary hits.
Isn’t the most natural of pluckers in the pass game as he consistently lets the ball into his body. But does look comfortable flaring out of the backfield, adjusting to the throw and creating after the catch. Does have some durability concerns, but they have been more of the fluke injuries — broken bones — than muscle tears.
Impression: An explosive back who can really accelerate into daylight at the drop of a hat. More of a one-cut guy who isn’t real shifty when asked to break down and make a guy miss. However, he presses the hole quickly, exhibits good balance as a runner and is a lot tougher to bring down than his frame would indicate. At worst, looks like a very solid No. 2 back in an NFL rotation."
Possesses a real second gear to his game and is consistently able to outpace angles at the second level and create in space. Does a nice job taking short, compact steps once he gets into the open field, allowing him to maintain his balance once he reaches full speed and cleanly sidestep defenders in both tight areas and in space. Isn’t an overly powerful between-the-tackles type runner and struggles to simply push the pile and drive for tough yards. But does a nice job running behind his pads and likes to finish runs. Displays a good forward lean when pressing the hole and into contact, and doesn’t expose his body to a lot of unnecessary hits.
Isn’t the most natural of pluckers in the pass game as he consistently lets the ball into his body. But does look comfortable flaring out of the backfield, adjusting to the throw and creating after the catch. Does have some durability concerns, but they have been more of the fluke injuries — broken bones — than muscle tears.
Impression: An explosive back who can really accelerate into daylight at the drop of a hat. More of a one-cut guy who isn’t real shifty when asked to break down and make a guy miss. However, he presses the hole quickly, exhibits good balance as a runner and is a lot tougher to bring down than his frame would indicate. At worst, looks like a very solid No. 2 back in an NFL rotation."
"Positives: While track star fast, can also turn and cut very well; shifty. Excellent vision, picks the right hole and explodes through it. Powerful lower body can run through arm tackles. Finishes inside runs hard, keeping his feet moving and gets the extra yard. Made big plays in big games. Good receiver out of the backfield. Gives effort as a blocker.
Negatives: Injury history - knee and wrist the most serious. Was not asked to block much, and may struggle with NFL feature back blocking assignments because of small frame. Has had problems with fumbles, although protected the ball as a senior. Didn't do much as a kick returner early in his career at Maryland. Only as a sophomore did he truly carry the load. Part of a three-back rotation as a senior."
Negatives: Injury history - knee and wrist the most serious. Was not asked to block much, and may struggle with NFL feature back blocking assignments because of small frame. Has had problems with fumbles, although protected the ball as a senior. Didn't do much as a kick returner early in his career at Maryland. Only as a sophomore did he truly carry the load. Part of a three-back rotation as a senior."
"Bio: Senior rushing totals included 122/730/5 in 13 starts with 14/170/3 as a receiver. Started five games as a junior and posted 85/405/4 on the ground before his season was cut short by a broken arm. Posted career-high ground numbers of 209/1178/8 as a sophomore in 2008.
Positive: Small yet tough ball carrier who is bigger than his listed size. Displays good vision, finds the running lanes, and has a burst through the hole. Keeps his feet moving, runs through tackles, and works to get as much yardage as possible out of each carry. Follows blocks, cuts back through the running lanes, and runs low to the ground. Has good footwork in a small area with the ability to bounce around defenders.
Negative: More of a straight line runner who really does not create yardage. Struggles turning the corner. Loses momentum when he must quickly change direction.
Analysis: Scott has been productive on the college level but lacks the size and skill to be anything other than a third running back on an NFL roster."
Positive: Small yet tough ball carrier who is bigger than his listed size. Displays good vision, finds the running lanes, and has a burst through the hole. Keeps his feet moving, runs through tackles, and works to get as much yardage as possible out of each carry. Follows blocks, cuts back through the running lanes, and runs low to the ground. Has good footwork in a small area with the ability to bounce around defenders.
Negative: More of a straight line runner who really does not create yardage. Struggles turning the corner. Loses momentum when he must quickly change direction.
Analysis: Scott has been productive on the college level but lacks the size and skill to be anything other than a third running back on an NFL roster."
"Positives: Great combination of speed and strength... Isn't big, but has a nice frame and runs low to the ground... Accelerates very quickly, explosive when he gets a seam... Keeps his legs driving, doesn't go down easily... Very nice balance... A good inside runner... Displays a good burst through the hole... Willing pass blocker... Displays above-average hands out of the backfield... Does a good job of always moving forward, doesn't dance too much through the hole... Should be a good change of pace back in the NFL in the same mold as Mike Goodson when he came out of college... Will rise in post season workouts due to his athleticism.
Negatives: Ball security is an issue, has had fumbling problems in the past... Isn't particularly shift or creative in the open field, better as a straight line runner... Below average vision, tries to break everything to the outside and routinely gets swallowed up at the line of scrimmage... Major injury concerns, struggled with an ankle injury in 2007, a shoulder injury in 2008, and a broken forearm in 2009... Hasn't had a very prolific career at Maryland, eclipsed 1000 yards once, in 2008, and has only scored nine touchdowns over the past two years combined... Was suspended in 2008 for violating curfew... Is typically substituted out around the goal line, struggles in short yardage situations because he always tries to make the big play."
Negatives: Ball security is an issue, has had fumbling problems in the past... Isn't particularly shift or creative in the open field, better as a straight line runner... Below average vision, tries to break everything to the outside and routinely gets swallowed up at the line of scrimmage... Major injury concerns, struggled with an ankle injury in 2007, a shoulder injury in 2008, and a broken forearm in 2009... Hasn't had a very prolific career at Maryland, eclipsed 1000 yards once, in 2008, and has only scored nine touchdowns over the past two years combined... Was suspended in 2008 for violating curfew... Is typically substituted out around the goal line, struggles in short yardage situations because he always tries to make the big play."
"Strengths: Speedy edge rusher. Had a really productive year ('08) when he was "the man" and proved what he could do when fully healthy. Has good hands. Willing blocker. Has some open field moves. Subtle moves. Has an OK attitude.
Weaknesses: Has had trouble staying healthy. Lanky frame, and runs a little high, meaning he may continue to have injury issues. Fast, but not really all the field fast. Has to have a hole. Will not break many tackles or be much of a factor running the middle at the next level. Body type will make it hard for him to be a really effective blocker over the long haul. Has never been able to return fully to his '08 form. Should be fully checked out, medically before drafting him.
Projection: Speed gives him a chance. If he checks out well and runs well at the Combine he should be a solid 5-6th rounder."
Weaknesses: Has had trouble staying healthy. Lanky frame, and runs a little high, meaning he may continue to have injury issues. Fast, but not really all the field fast. Has to have a hole. Will not break many tackles or be much of a factor running the middle at the next level. Body type will make it hard for him to be a really effective blocker over the long haul. Has never been able to return fully to his '08 form. Should be fully checked out, medically before drafting him.
Projection: Speed gives him a chance. If he checks out well and runs well at the Combine he should be a solid 5-6th rounder."
"Da'Rel Scott had one extremely productive season at Maryland and the rest were either slowed by injuries or a multitude of talent in the backfield. After redshirting in 2006, Scott saw a little action at running back. He only carried the ball 14 times, but he did average nearly ten yards per carry. His only touchdown as a freshman came on his lone reception of the year. Scott was too quick and talented to leave on the sidelines, so he also returned kickoffs as a freshman.
It was in 2008 when Scott stepped onto the national stage. He carried the load for the Terrapins and ended the year rushing for 1,133 yards on 209 carries. With a workload that large, Scott did not return kickoffs, but that is certainly a skill that he can use in the NFL. In 2009 the injury bug hit. Scott only started five games and carried the ball just 85 times. While Scott was out, Davin Meggett turned into a solid back and in 2010 when Scott returned he had to share carries with Meggett. The emergence of D.J. Adams as a goal line back hurt Scott's numbers even more. In all, Scott rushed 122 times for 686 yards and five touchdowns during his senior season.
Scott has a nice combination of size and speed. He will run the 40 around 4.4 and that should boost his stock a little bit. Scott is also deceptively strong for such a quick player. His lack of consistent production is a major concern and he is likely a late round selection, but Scott has plenty of room to move up with an impressive performance at the East-West Shrine Game and other games and workouts prior to the draft."
It was in 2008 when Scott stepped onto the national stage. He carried the load for the Terrapins and ended the year rushing for 1,133 yards on 209 carries. With a workload that large, Scott did not return kickoffs, but that is certainly a skill that he can use in the NFL. In 2009 the injury bug hit. Scott only started five games and carried the ball just 85 times. While Scott was out, Davin Meggett turned into a solid back and in 2010 when Scott returned he had to share carries with Meggett. The emergence of D.J. Adams as a goal line back hurt Scott's numbers even more. In all, Scott rushed 122 times for 686 yards and five touchdowns during his senior season.
Scott has a nice combination of size and speed. He will run the 40 around 4.4 and that should boost his stock a little bit. Scott is also deceptively strong for such a quick player. His lack of consistent production is a major concern and he is likely a late round selection, but Scott has plenty of room to move up with an impressive performance at the East-West Shrine Game and other games and workouts prior to the draft."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on DaRel Scott
When I evaluate any prospect, 1% of it derives from my own analysis of The Tape, and 99% of it is my evaluation of the evaluators: Those guys, quoted and linked, above, whose expertise DWARFS mine.
***
DaRel Scott is an hidden gem: the consumate blend of Power + Speed, DaRel Scott has the Power to blast through tacklers, yet the Speed to make one cut and simply EXPLODE.
MIND you: He is not without concerns. His Lateral Agility and Fluidity are both lacking, and he's had fumbling concerns in the past. But he is actually a very technically adept Runner, which I actually find quite shocking, in conjuction with his exceptional blend of Speed + Power: He runs behind his pads, as Wes Bunting likes to put it, and he runs low. More importantly, he has that rare Gift that many talented Runners lack ~ Patience ~ which not only allows him to make the most of the blocks that his Grizzlies have laid out for him, but makes them more likely to complete them, human nature being what it is. In my experience, great natural tools tend to dilute the cerebral side of most players' Game, and to find a pronounced measure of both, in one player, is pretty damned exciting.
He's a decent Blocker, and shows very good potential as a Receiver.
In my efforts to organize RB's by their styles, I've invented the terms "Smashers", "Slashers", and "Thrashers" as what I hope will be easy references, respectively, to Power Backs, 3rd Down Backs, and Hybrids. "Tail Back" and "Half Back" are used too interchangeably, and in any case, a 3rd term is needed, for there are 3 distinct types.
Be warned: I am all frothy about DaRel Scott. If he gets together with a Line of Grizzlies that consistently opens up decent holes for him, he could be a FORCE. He's projected for the Late Rounds, mostly because he's shared the load, and because he's had injuries and fumbling problems. Well, this student of the Game appears to've obviated those fumbling problems in his senior year, his injuries were freakish, as his running style is a compact one that portends good health, going forward...and his having shared the load is actually a point in his favor, because college miles count as much as Pro miles, baby!!
I call DaRel Scott a Thrasher: His blend of Speed + Power is potentially devastating, and he is most clearly a Threat on the entire Front, both within and without.
SUPER Sleeper!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
***
DaRel Scott is an hidden gem: the consumate blend of Power + Speed, DaRel Scott has the Power to blast through tacklers, yet the Speed to make one cut and simply EXPLODE.
MIND you: He is not without concerns. His Lateral Agility and Fluidity are both lacking, and he's had fumbling concerns in the past. But he is actually a very technically adept Runner, which I actually find quite shocking, in conjuction with his exceptional blend of Speed + Power: He runs behind his pads, as Wes Bunting likes to put it, and he runs low. More importantly, he has that rare Gift that many talented Runners lack ~ Patience ~ which not only allows him to make the most of the blocks that his Grizzlies have laid out for him, but makes them more likely to complete them, human nature being what it is. In my experience, great natural tools tend to dilute the cerebral side of most players' Game, and to find a pronounced measure of both, in one player, is pretty damned exciting.
He's a decent Blocker, and shows very good potential as a Receiver.
In my efforts to organize RB's by their styles, I've invented the terms "Smashers", "Slashers", and "Thrashers" as what I hope will be easy references, respectively, to Power Backs, 3rd Down Backs, and Hybrids. "Tail Back" and "Half Back" are used too interchangeably, and in any case, a 3rd term is needed, for there are 3 distinct types.
Be warned: I am all frothy about DaRel Scott. If he gets together with a Line of Grizzlies that consistently opens up decent holes for him, he could be a FORCE. He's projected for the Late Rounds, mostly because he's shared the load, and because he's had injuries and fumbling problems. Well, this student of the Game appears to've obviated those fumbling problems in his senior year, his injuries were freakish, as his running style is a compact one that portends good health, going forward...and his having shared the load is actually a point in his favor, because college miles count as much as Pro miles, baby!!
I call DaRel Scott a Thrasher: His blend of Speed + Power is potentially devastating, and he is most clearly a Threat on the entire Front, both within and without.
SUPER Sleeper!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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