Apr
21
2010
 |
Ryan Mathews
|
– Draft Breakdown Red Star PlayerNon-position specific categories
Category |
Max. Value |
Grade |
| Height/Weight | 6 | 5.5 |
| Speed | 8 | 7 |
| Quickness/Agility | 10 | 8.5 |
| Strength/Explosion | 10 | 9 |
| Athletic Ability | 8 | 6.5 |
| Durability | 8 | 6 |
| Character | 6 | 5 |
| Production/Experience | 6 | 4.5 |
| Toughness | 8 | 7 |
| Potential | 10 | 9.5 |
Running Back Specific Categories
Category |
Max. Value |
Grade |
| Between the tackles | 8 | 7.5 |
| Outside the tackles | 8 | 7.5 |
| Receiving | 6 | 5 |
| Ball carrying | 8 | 5.5 |
| Vision | 10 | 9.5 |
| Elusiveness | 8 | 7.5 |
| Pass Blocking | 8 | 6 |
| Leg Drive | 8 | 6.5 |
| Break Tackle | 8 | 5 |
Strengths
The size every team would like their starting tailback to be. Incredible production. Big play threat with long speed and top notch acceleration. Great vision and acceleration through the hole. Tremendous balance. Is equally good inside and outside the tackles. Very sudden and quick enough to dodge tacklers in traffic and still keep his legs moving. Very strong, athletic, and explosive (10’1″ broad jump, 4.21 shuttle). Pretty good pass blocker but won’t knock anyone down. A natural hands catcher and a threat out of the backfield. Very decisive and quick to make a decision. Not a lot ot wear and tear on him. A lot of potential.
Weaknesses
Needs to work on his lower body strength – thighs are a little thin. Carries the ball away from his body and may have fumbling problems at the next level. Doesn’t run over people. Doesn’t have a true second gear – but he plays at 1 speed because he’s got such great acceleration. Route running needs work. Shared carries most of his career so endurance could be an issue. Missed a lot of time for injuries his sophomore season.
Analysis
Mathews is the best “complete” running back of this class. He’s got the size to be an every down back and carry the load (at some point). Has everything you look for and has the potential to be a superstar because of it. He isn’t talked about because both Spiller and Best are more explosive big play threats, but he’s more consistent and will probably be more durable throughout his career.
Experience
17 career starts at Fresno State.
Awards and Honors
2009: 2st team All-American. 1st team All-WAC.
2008: n/a
2007: n/a
Academics
Unknown major at Fresno State.
Injuries
Misses Humanitarian Bowl in 2007 with torn muscle near collar bone. Misses five games in 2008 with knee and foot injuries. Misses one game in 2009 with concussion.
| Year | Att | Yards | Avg | Long | TD | Rec | Yards | TD |
| 2009 | 276 | 1808 | 6.6 | 77 | 19 | 11 | 122 | 0 |
| 2008 | 113 | 606 | 5.4 | 49 | 6 | 8 | 146 | 2 |
| 2007 | 145 | 866 | 6.0 | 67 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Highlight/Lowlight Video – from our friends at Pro Draft Party
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4kGNjdFgpg
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Rob Engle
Rob Engle scouted privately starting in 2004. Rob participated in an internship with the Baltimore Ravens scouting department and is continuing his professional career by attending Miami University (Ohio) to obtain a degree in Strategic Communication. Rob is also a member of the Football Writers Association of America.
Follow Rob on Twitter @RobEngleScout. See all posts for Rob Engle
