Duke Johnson Scouting Report

Oct 11, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) runs with the ball as Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Grant Coleman (13) attempts the tackle in the second half of a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Sun Life Stadium. The Hurricanes won 55-34. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Scouts’ Take

Strengths:  Rob Rang of CBSSports said,”Impressvie acceleration. Alternately displays burst, agility and light feet to high-step through tackles and a good stiff-arm. Shows the ‘greasy knee’s’ to cut and accelerate in one fluid motion, eluding would-be tackers. Good hands out of the backfield with ability to get down field on wheel routes or split out wide in some formations.”

Bryan Perez of Draft Breakdown.com said,”He has elite feet and vision that he uses in unison when diagnosing running lanes and he is blessed with true 2-steppers ability—he gets to full speed in the blink of an eye.” Charlie Campbell of Walter Football touched on his vision, feet, burst ability take it the distance and cutting ability and his 3-year starter status was also universal.

Weaknesses: His weaknesses are universal with Rang and Campbell as at 5’9″, 206, his not the biggest back in the world. This forces the durability concerns as they both brought him the broken ankle he suffered in 2013. The two also agreed on him not being a good pass blocker and Rang went as far as to say he will likely “need to be a part of a two-back system. “

Next: My take