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2012 DRAFT FB PROFILES

*Note players not necessarily listed in order of grade

Cody Johnson, Texas, 5-11, 270, 4.70, SR … Natural FB but ended up as the Longhorns leading rusher last fall when he ran for almost 600 yards and 6 TDs; bruising runner with excellent leg drive who keeps pads low and doesn’t go down easily, but isn’t going to make anyone miss in space; good short yardage back; also a decent blocker, but not much of a receiver and caught only 4 passes last season.

Evan Rodriguez, Temple, 6-2, 250, 4.67, SR … Plays TE at Temple, but is a little short for the position in the pros and will get some long looks as a FB; good all-around player who can block and catch the ball; also has good speed and can stretch the field; averaged almost 12 yards per catch on 21 total receptions last fall.

Chad Diehl, Clemson, 6-1, 265, 4.75, SR … Thumping lead blocker with excellent size and good functional strength with a reported PB of 28 reps in the bench; keeps pads low and plays hard to the whistle; also has pretty good speed and quickness, but almost never touches the ball; actually may not play all that much this fall as the position is being phased out in the Tigers’ scheme; broke his leg in 2007.

Joe Halahuni, Oregon State, 6-2, 260, 4.85, SR … Originally a TE has evolved into more of an H-back with the Beavers; excellent receiver with soft hands and the innate ability to get open; had 65 receptions over the past couple of years; also a good red zone target who scored 6 times last fall; not all that fast, but is a thick player who can break tackles in space; has good power and is a more than adequate blocker; has some durability issues after undergoing shoulder surgery this spring; also had a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2007 season and first month of 2008.

Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern, 6-2, 235, 4.75, SR … Plays an H-back role, but best fit at next level could be as a FB; excellent outlet receiver with soft hands and a polished route-runner caught 87 passes over the past couple of seasons; also a good red zone target, but not all that fast and is not a deep threat; has also averaged less than 10 yards per catch during his career; not all that big, but is a decent blocker, although he lacks the bulk to really blast open holes; has had some injury issues as he sat out spring practice this year after undergoing off-season season shoulder and rib surgery; also suffered a season-ending knee injury in pre-season in 2008.

Devan Ramsey, North Carolina, 6-1, 250, 4.70, SR … Solid all-around FB played in only four games last fall because of the NCAA investigation into improper benefits; also missed much of the 2008 season after undergoing shoulder surgery; reliable blocker with decent hands; also a good special team contributor.

Taylor Gentry, North Carolina State, 6-2, 250, 4.85, SR … Former walk-on has developed into a thumping blocker and special; teams star; in fact, led the Wolfpack with 46 special tackles the past couple of seasons; next carry from scrimmage will be his first, but is a decent receiver with 31 career receptions including 14 last year, but he isn’t going to scare anyone in the open field.

Joe Suhey, Penn State, 6-0, 240, 4.80, SR … Veteran fullback is an effective lead blocker who is also a good pass receiver with 36 receptions over the past couple of years.

Bradie Ewing, Wisconsin, 6-0, 235, 4.75, SR … Originally walked on at Wisconsin as a walk-on, but has turned into a solid lead blocker who also contributes on special teams; not all that big, but plays low and fast; isn’t a threat to carry the ball, but is a decent receiver.

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