Running Back

Mississippi State

5-10 219

Draft board overall prospect rank: #109

Draft board overall running back rank: #8

Overall rating: 65 (3rd/4th round)

40 time: 4.63

Games watched: LSU/Mississippi State, Mississippi State/Wake Forest

Positives

·         Powerful runner

·         Good size (5-10 219)

·         Great north/south runner

·         Runs well between the tackles

·         Explosive to the hole

·         Powerful lower body

·         Tough to tackle

·         Good pad level

·         2 year starter

·         Productive in tough conference (2010: 186 carries for 968 yards and 19 touchdowns, 2011: 193 carries for 1189 yards and 10 touchdowns)

·         Succeeded with little supporting cast

·         Improved pass catcher (20 catches as a senior)

·         Great work ethic (not highly recruited, went to JuCo, turned into Mississippi State’s leading rusher)

·         Good pass protector

Negatives

·         Poor 40 time (4.63)

·         Not a good outside runner

·         Doesn’t have breakaway speed

·         Not quick

·         Doesn’t break a lot of tackles in space

·         Never carried a big load

·         Not a good natural athlete

·         Pass catching still could improve (wouldn’t trust on 3^rd down right away)

·         Durability?

·         Ball security?

·         Struggled against Alabama and LSU (who didn’t?)

NFL Comparison: Daniel Thomas

Vick Ballard reminds me of Daniel Thomas. Thomas was a 2^nd round pick last year after 2 years as a starter at Kansas State. Like Ballard, he’s a former JuCo player. Both are powerful backs without a ton of speed or mobility. Thomas ran a 4.60 at 6-1 228. Ballard ran a 4.63 at 5-11 218. Both are also solid pass catchers with some fumble problems. They have very similar running styles.

I thought Thomas was a bit overdrafted in the 2^nd round last year. Ballard will probably be a 5^th round pick or so and I think he’ll be a little underdrafted. He can be a solid tandem back at the next level, which is what Thomas became as a rookie in Miami with Reggie Bush. That appears to be his best role going forward, rather than a 3 down back, which is what you’re typically looking for in the 2^nd round. I have a borderline 3^rd/4^th grade on him and I think he’ll make some team very happy in the mid to late rounds. He’s an underrated back who put up good numbers on a poor team against tough competition in the SEC.