Duke Johnson Scouting Report

Nov 1, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) runs in a touchdown against North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

My Take

Strengths: Johnson can cut on a dime, accelerate quickly, has vision to see the holes that are there and the ones that are soon to develop. The scouts agree that he has speed but he has elite speed—not just for his position but for anyone as he has been clocked at 4.32 in the 40. And his power has been grossly underrated as runs inside a lot and consistently breaks tackles.

But two things I’m impressed with is how he always forces the designed gap first before making a cut and he’s fast through the hole, not to it. He also runs low behind his pads and his reflexes make him turn his body just in time when the big hit is on it’s way. And what I really love is his ability to make something out of a little or nothing as he doesn’t always need “the big hole.”

In pass protection, he does well in picking up the blitz an no one runs him over on the way to the quarterback. Therefore, I have no idea what Rang and Campbell are talking about with that. Then of course, there’s the ability as a receiver out of the backfield and spit out wide, which is a complete player to me.

Weaknesses: He did have the broken ankle in 2013 so I would just check for that and his weight at the combine.

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