Josh Jacobs Scouting Report

Name: Josh Jacobs

School: Alabama

Conference: SEC

Position: Running Back

Class: Junior

HT: 5’9

WT: 209 lbs

Vision: Sees his blocks well and usually takes the best path of most positive yardage. Is decisive for the most part but shown to be patient when initial holes aren’t open. Does an excellent job of pressing the LOS and reacting to filling defenders. Understands how to set up linebackers into his blockers as well.

Burst and Long Speed: Short area quickness within 10 yards is solid. Burst through holes when he plants his foots in the ground and moves up field. However, not overly explosive. Doesn’t carry much monument past the second level. Often runs at a lackadaisical pace to be methodical with his movements. Lacks optimal long speed as well. Won’t threaten defenses vertically.

Contact Balance and Power: Exceptional contact balance. Possesses a low center of gravity that allows him to bounce and redirect off tacklers. Rarely goes down after first contact. Runs with a violent edge when power running. Deliverers some devastating blows to his opponents. Looks to run over defenders that are in his way. Also thrives in shorty yardage situations. Uses powerful lower body to push scrums for extra yards.

Elusiveness: Not overly shifty but wiggle is good enough to make defenders miss. Cuts are sudden and consistently deploys them at the right times. Has a natural feel for eluding tacklers in tight areas as well. Especially in the alley or behind the LOS. Not dynamic enough to be characterized as a space player though. More a of power runner than a finesse runner.

Change of Direction: Possesses some of the sweetest feet in the class that allow him to nimbly change directions. Hips are agile enough but lateral range isn’t elite by any means.

Receiving Ability: Even though he isn’t in the best athlete, utilizes optimal stop and start quickness to run crisp routes out of the back field. Also is a modest vertical target when running seam and wheel routes. Hands are above average but catch radius is small.

Pass Protection: Prideful is the way he protects. Seeks the opportunity to put his opponents in the dirt and keeping his quarterback clean. Technique and initiative are exceptional.

Durability: Extremely light workload at Alabama, so very little tread on the tires. He looks thick enough to handle an increase in carries in terms of his frame.

Best Trait: Contact Balance/Power

Worst Trait: Long Speed

Best Film: Oklahoma (2018)

Worst Film: Tennessee (2018)

Pro Comparison: Sony Michel

Josh Jacobs is the most complete running back in this class. He excels as a ball carrier, is a more than capable receiver, and is a phenomenal pass protector. He might not possess the high end athleticism to be an elite caliber running back in the NFL. Yet, he is still dynamic enough to warrant a feature role. His frame is on the lighter side, so having a capable back up to give him a breather (when needed) could benefit him. A zone heavy scheme would be ideal for his skill set.