A scout’s breakdown of Harvey Unga, a former BYU running back who is eligible for the 2010 supplemental draft:
Strengths: Is big, well built with the playing strength, balance and competitiveness to keep feet versus hard hits and gain yards after contact. Has excellent vision and instincts. Consistently finds holes, space in traffic. Can make smooth cuts in traffic. Can’t make quick jump cut, but has better-than-expected quickness through the hole and straight-line playing speed. Can lower a shoulder to deliver a blow, knock opponent backward and break tackles. Has good hands as a receiver. Is productive after the catch; has good instincts and ability to follow blockers. When focused on technique in pass blocking, can sink hips and block with good leverage. Can hold ground against pass rusher and tie up and eliminate opponent.
Weaknesses: Is a tailback with fullback body. Has natural instincts and vision, but lacks quickness and cutting ability to explode through holes. Lacks consistent good leverage when running. Has a bad habit of running upright. Takes too many hard hits. Does not pick his feet up well in traffic. Too often gets tripped by low, grab tackles. Lacks explosive ability to get through holes. Won’t be able to make long scoring runs. Carries ball loosely and away from his body, leading to fumbles. Has little experience as a lead blocker; must improve leverage. Must improve pass-blocking technique and aggressiveness.
Bottom line: Unga was dismissed from BYU for violating team/school rules, so entered the draft instead of playing his senior season. Unga likely would have been a fifth-round pick in the 2011 draft, but players tend to slide in the supplemental draft. He likely will go in the sixth or seventh round. In a season or two he should become a solid starting fullback who also contributes as a short yardage runner. To do so he must improve as a blocker.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
A scout’s breakdown of Harvey Unga, a former BYU running back who is eligible for the 2010 supplemental draft:
Strengths: Is big, well built with the playing strength, balance and competitiveness to keep feet versus hard hits and gain yards after contact. Has excellent vision and instincts. Consistently finds holes, space in traffic. Can make smooth cuts in traffic. Can’t make quick jump cut, but has better-than-expected quickness through the hole and straight-line playing speed. Can lower a shoulder to deliver a blow, knock opponent backward and break tackles. Has good hands as a receiver. Is productive after the catch; has good instincts and ability to follow blockers. When focused on technique in pass blocking, can sink hips and block with good leverage. Can hold ground against pass rusher and tie up and eliminate opponent.
Weaknesses: Is a tailback with fullback body. Has natural instincts and vision, but lacks quickness and cutting ability to explode through holes. Lacks consistent good leverage when running. Has a bad habit of running upright. Takes too many hard hits. Does not pick his feet up well in traffic. Too often gets tripped by low, grab tackles. Lacks explosive ability to get through holes. Won’t be able to make long scoring runs. Carries ball loosely and away from his body, leading to fumbles. Has little experience as a lead blocker; must improve leverage. Must improve pass-blocking technique and aggressiveness.
Bottom line: Unga was dismissed from BYU for violating team/school rules, so entered the draft instead of playing his senior season. Unga likely would have been a fifth-round pick in the 2011 draft, but players tend to slide in the supplemental draft. He likely will go in the sixth or seventh round. In a season or two he should become a solid starting fullback who also contributes as a short yardage runner. To do so he must improve as a blocker.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.