Larry Rivers is one of the most successful running backs in NACC (Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference) history. At the end of his five-year career at Lakeland University, he finished with 4,557 yards and 41 touchdowns, which is the second-most all-time in NACC history. To showcase how special Larry was at Lakeland, he broke multiple school records of former NFL player Pat Curran, who played nine seasons for the Rams and Chargers in the 1970s that had stood for decades.
Measurements
Height: 5’9
Weight: 175 Pounds
Class: Senior
Positives:
The strongest quality that Larry Rivers has is his elite ball vision to read and react to defenders positioning and then cut back and get a good chunk of additional yards. He has this just electrifying spin move like former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson would do at the end of runs to gain a few extra yards with a second effort. He’s a very consistent rusher with 19 career games over 100+ yards rushing.
His low center of gravity with quick bursts makes him a very difficult runner to contain in tight space. He had a knack for finding his way towards the end zone vs Wisconsin Lutheran this past season, where he had six rushing touchdowns alongside 204 rushing yards. This 2021 season, he finished with 220 rushing attempts for 1,521 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, helping him to win the Wisconsin Private College Player of The Year award, and he was also selected to the All-Region 5 Team by D3football.com as well.
Concerns:
One of the things he is still learning is how to become a more receiving back, which Larry has improved from the 2020 season to this previous 2021 season. This would limit him to a first and second-down back which would be a slight issue as more or less NFL teams are looking for three-down backs as their running back three on the depth chart. His overall speed wasn’t that great even at a division III level, which when he heightens against the 4.3-4.4 forty times of some defensive backs and linebackers could be very concerning.
The biggest concern for teams will be his overall size. His height is not the issue as 5’9 isn’t far from other NFL runners, but the main issue is 175 pounds is very light. For example, a similar style player to Rivers is J.D. McKissic of the Washington Commanders and he is listed at 194 pounds. So if he can get his weight up I think more teams will be willing to give him more opportunities.
Larry Rivers is a very high-potential running back that, with the correct system, could spark into a Lamar Miller-type player. He most likely will be a UDFA (undrafted free agent), however, I expect him to get some looks from regional teams such as the Packers and Vikings especially due to them loving more local talent for preseason and minicamp bodies that, in the past, have worked out quite well for those respected organizations.
Projected Draft Position: Undrafted
Possible Fits: Packers, Vikings, Lions and Colts
