2018 NFL Draft: Is Bo Scarbrough underrated or rationally overlooked?

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough is one of the most physically imposing players in the country. Where’s the 2018 NFL Draft hype?

Running back has become one of the most devalued positions in all of American football. Coaches on the high school and collegiate levels may beg to differ, but workhorses are viewed as players with short-term value in the NFL.

One of the players who’s hoping to prove that the workhorse back can return to prominence is former Alabama Crimson Tide star Bo Scarbrough.

Scabrough comes from a long line of Alabama running backs turned NFL prospects. There have been hits such as Shaun Alexander and Mark Ingram, but there’s an outlier who has given Crimson Tide running backs a bad name: Trent Richardson.

With comparisons sitting somewhere between Richardson and Eddie Lacy, Scarbrough has found himself in an uphill battle.

As the 2018 NFL Draft nears and the depth of this running back class begins to make headlines, Scarbrough deserves to be mentioned. He’s one of the most physically imposing players in this draft class, as well as a high-upside runner on the field.

He may not possess a modern skill set, but Scarbrough has the physical tools to become an RB1 in the NFL.

Scarbrough is roughly two inches taller and nine pounds heavier than the average NFL running back. The mean for hand size is 9.306″—0.694″ smaller than Scarbrough’s measurement—and the standard arm length is 31.066″—2.434″ shorter than Scarbrough’s.

Throw in an insane wingspan that spans beyond six feet and eight inches, and the former Alabama star is every bit as impressive as he looks at first glance.

Even with a near 6’2″ body and 228-pound frame, Scarbrough managed to run the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds. That’s a scary combination of size, weight, and speed, and it’s complemented by game strength that’s put into motion by his massive arms and hands.

No matter how you feel about Scarbrough’s ability to run and catch the football, there’s no way around the fact that he can physically dominate defenders.

On the field, Scarbrough runs with a purpose and topples the defenders in his path. His statistics were limited by the sheer number of running backs on Alabama’s roster, but his potential impact ranges beyond the box score.

Scarbrough has a unique combination of size and speed, as well as a quietly improving ability to make plays out of the backfield.

Scarbrough is by no means a Le’Veon Bell type of running back, but he’s coming off of a career-year as a receiver. He pulled in 17 receptions for 109 yards, hauling in at least one catch in 10 different outings.

It may not be proof that Scarbrough can be a three-down back, but it’s certainly evidence that he’s been working to address his flaws.

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The question is: Can Bo Scarbrough prove to scouts, coaches, and general managers that he can read and follow blocks?

That will be the key to his 2018 NFL Draft stock and his professional future.