2016 NFL Draft prospect watch: Ezekiel Elliott
Oct 3, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs with the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Ohio State defeats Indiana 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
I maintain that the only reason why the running back position has been devalued is because of the players. There just hasn’t been many special players that came up at the position that were ready to be stars right away. Outside of Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson, most of your star running backs have needed to develop.
Then you’ve had a few come in and shine right away only to fade right after. A special back is the one that for every quarter, every half, every game, every year, gives you greatness. This is what Elliot has giving the Ohio State Buckeyes for the second straight year, not a one-hit wonder.
That’s what Trent Richardson did to become the No. 3 overall in 2012 and a colossal bust. After limited carries as a freshman, Eliott rushed for 1,878 yards with 18 touchdowns and 2,098 total yards from scrimmage last year. And if Saturday is any indication, he ready to give his Ohio State Buckeyes even more this year.
Eliott was steady early on this year, averaging 114 yards rushing per game in his first four games. Then in game five, he busted out with a performance that had to alert scouts across the NFL. With his team down at the half, he single-handedly brought the Buckeyes back against the Indiana Hoosiers with 243 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Those second-half touchdown runs were breakaways from 55, 65, and 75 yards out. His vision, power, agility, patience, burst and long speed were all on display along with his will to win that took the Buckeyes to a 34-27 victory. In total on the day, Elliot had 274 yards to put all NFL personnel people on notice.
He was always projected to go in the first round but now, we’re talking top 10.