This L.J. Scott preview is part of a series of previews of the 2017 college football season. These previews aim to provide for scouting prospects in the 2018 rookie draft.
2016 Film Review
L.J. Scott shows functional athleticism for a back who weighs 230 pounds. He may not test as an elite athlete, but his functional athleticism to make quick decisive cuts and accelerate are a strength. The thing that stands out in Scott’s tape is his ability to make first defenders miss with regularity and then run through contact at the second level.
There are times when Scott showed dynamic movements in the second level. While capable of lowering his shoulder and dragging secondary defenders, Scott is not simply a north-south grinder. He can hurdle defenders in the open field and in traffic while also displaying spin moves. When he gets a runway into the second level he has the strength and power to wear out a secondary.
While not a prolific pass catcher, Scott is proficient. He was split out on multiple passes with pass plays where he is the primary target.
Workhorse Matrix Grade: 8 (Capability to be Multi Year Starter)
At 230 pounds, Scott is an above average athlete with pass catching skills. As will become a trend in this series, the 2018 running back class is a great if you like big running backs with movement skills. Scott is not as dynamic as other players in the class, and I expect more of a later day 2 or day 3 NFL draft selection in 2018.
With the size and athleticism, he is capable of being a multi-year starter.
2017 Preview
There were times that Michigan State’s offense looked inept in 2017. The offensive line was pushed around at times, and they finished 104 out of 128 FBS teams in points. With overall improved play, Scott could benefit from more room to work in the backfield.
Scott has yet to break 1000 yards in two seasons at Michigan State, so his Junior season is important to his 2018 draft stock. Scott can help himself in the receiving game as well. More targets and receiving production can show his versatility and running ability in the second level.
Scott is also a willing pass blocker but his technique breaks down quickly. With his size, continued experience should allow him to become proficient in the area.
Bottom Line
While we praised the 2017 class as deep, there were key players in the draft that were undersized. Dalvin Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt and Jamaal Williams were key players in the class who were not prototypically sized.
2018 has the potential to be another historic year with many of the running backs weighing 220 pounds or more. Scott could be a key piece of the class’s depth. Big running backs who can catch and move are a rare breed. Scott has flashed the ability to catch and at 230 pounds, shows solid movement skills. An improvement on his 2017 stats could put him in the day 2 of the NFL draft conversation. Scott is likely a candidate to be picked around the turn of the first and second rounds in rookie drafts, and offers a solid profile in that draft range.
