Every since this whole thing started, I actually wanted to see Austrailian Rugby player Jarryd Hayne make a football team but I didn’t think he could. I kinda thought it was like an MMA fighter suddenly trying to box or vice versa. I thought to myself, “And for him to go out and try to play running back of all things, I thought he would get broke off.
Then I read where Reggie Bush, his friend, told The Daily Telegraph of Sydney, via CSN Bay Area, “I’m sure he’ll make it, I don’t think there’s any doubt in anybody’s mind he’ll make the roster. He has all the talents and athleticism to be able to play in this league and to be able to play at a high level in this league. I think making the team is actually the least of his worries.”
After reading that, I thought to myself, ” Come Reggie, I know he’s your boy and everything but my goodness!” Then I went to you.tube to see if any if his games were on there and I found some. And after I watched him play, I chanted, “Ausie Ausie Ausie oi oi oi!”
He has some things that actually translate to the NFL.
He’s been timed by some scouts in the 40-yard dash and he ran a 4.53, which is really good for a non-track athlete that’s never played football before. And within that 4.53, he has tremendous burst and acceleration for a 6’2″, 226-pound man. He’s also very elusive, changing direction quickly and even uses a spin more and a jump-cut, making him a very good broken field runner.
He also has good hands and can catch the ball in traffic while getting smashed. He has good technique with his jump-cut, consistently sinking his hips when he’s making that cut. He has the all-too-important peripheral vision and a sense for people coming up and trying to tackle him too.
Then, he has the three most important things it takes to be a running back in the NFL. He’s strong, has a drive and determination that keep him on his feet when three guys are on him and he is an authentically tough man. All I want to know now is how soon he’ll be able to habitually carry a football correctly and if he will be able to get the plays down.
I see why Bush said what he said now.
If he can learn the plays and certain fundamentals of the game, he’ll make it.