Does Jalen Hurd Seem a Bit Too Tall For a Tailback?

#1
kidbourbon

kidbourbon

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#1
ESPN has him listed at 6-4. I'm trying to think of an elite tailback who was that tall and I'm drawing a blank. I'm not saying that an elite 6-4 tailback is outside the realm of possibility, but I definitely think there's a reason the average height of running backs in the NFL is 5-9; namely, a lower center of gravity allows for quicker changes in direction, which is something running backs have to do.

The tallest elite running back I can come up with is Eric Dickerson, who is 6-3. So it isn't impossible, but he's definitely the exception. And he was also just a uniquely talented player.

Am I overthinking this? Is Hurd definitely going to be a stud?
 
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#6
#6
kidbourbon said:
ESPN has him listed at 6-4. I'm trying to think of an elite tailback who was that tall and I'm drawing a blank. I'm not saying that an elite 6-4 tailback is outside the realm of possibility, but I definitely think there's a reason the average height of running backs in the NFL is 5-9; namely, a lower center of gravity allows for quicker changes in direction, which is something running backs have to do.

The tallest elite running back I can come up with is Eric Dickerson, who is 6-3. So it isn't impossible, but he's definitely the exception. And he was also just a uniquely talented player.

Am I overthinking this? Is Hurd definitely going to be a stud?
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Yes. You're over thinking it.
 
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#9
#9
WB4LBJ_4_UT said:
Eddie George?
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He's a much better athlete than Eddie George. George was a powerful, yet slow plodding 3 yds and a cloud of dust guy. Jalen has great size like Eddie, but he has elite speed, 4.37 speed and great burst. George had neither.
 
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#13
#13
I'm not sure anyone knows the answer til he plays in college against SEC defenses first...
 
#14
#14
AP is well over 5'9". I'd take him. Steven Jackson? He was a pretty good back for a long time. Gurley is pretty tall, and it doesn't seem to bother him. The size only hurts if it costs you something else. Otherwise it helps.

Finding a huge RB with speed, quickness and good lateral movement is rare. That's the only reason the smaller ones get the opportunity.
 
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#15
#15
KBVol said:
He's a much better athlete than Eddie George. George was a powerful, yet slow plodding 3 yds and a cloud of dust guy. Jalen has great size like Eddie, but he has elite speed, 4.37 speed and great burst. George had neither.
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Hopefully he can end up with a Heisman like Eddie George. Would mean he came in and kicked the teeth in of the rest of the SEC!
 
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#18
#18
He will be the best back UT has had in 8 to 10 years. I would have guessed the average height of NFL running backs would be around 6 ft.
 
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#20
#20
SaintLouisVol said:
AP is well over 5'9". I'd take him. Steven Jackson? He was a pretty good back for a long time. Gurley is pretty tall, and it doesn't seem to bother him. The size only hurts if it costs you something else. Otherwise it helps.

Finding a huge RB with speed, quickness and good lateral movement is rare. That's the only reason the smaller ones get the opportunity.
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There are plenty of examples of great backs over six feet. But 6-4 is really tall for a running back and, yes, size only hurts if it costs you something else, but the reason RBs arent' that tall is because height generally does come at the expense of agility. Which would be my biggest concern with Hurd is that he lacks the ability to change direction on a dime that you need in the SEC.
 
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#22
#22
Brandon Jacobs comes to mind for current players. Jalen will be a big bruising RB. If he gets in the second level you will see DB's shy away from coming up to hit him. This is the kinda back we need. I have a feeling you will see a smaller speed back as well next year. Maybe Pig?
 
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#24
#24
KBVol said:
Fared quite well a few elite camps this past summer if I recall correctly .... I would think that a 6'4 230 lbs kid that runs 4.37 would project fairly well at the next level.
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Yes; But they say that his pad level at the line is low, and that is what important.
 
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