The 2023 running back class is one that already has folks foaming at the mouth. It certainly seems on a trajectory to rival the 2020 running back class. Amongst running back projections, size plays a large role in figuring out which running backs I want on my Devy teams. A big role in projecting the expected size comes from utilizing Noah Hills’ “Your Favorite Devy Running Back Is Too Small. Now What?” article.
Before I dive into Sean Tucker‘s profile and what he has done in his freshman season, I wanted to highlight something that first drew my attention to him. After each game, he does a review of his game performance on Twitter. Check it out
Saturday I rushed for 111 yds and 5.3 yds per carry. I had a few issues in the game but I'm satisfied with my second 100 yd performance. Not satisfied with the score, we lost to Liberty 38 to 21 pic.twitter.com/nL00aqGCkt
— Sean Tucker (@seantucker2020) October 19, 2020
Saturday we lost to Notre Dame but I'm happy with my performance. I ran for 113 yds and a TD with 2 catches for 46 yds. My first CFB season is over but I'm just getting started!! pic.twitter.com/rGLom4r1wR
— Sean Tucker (@seantucker2020) December 8, 2020
Recruiting
Sean Tucker hails from Towson, Maryland and was recruited by five programs, the most notable being Wisconsin, but enrolled with Syracuse. Tucker received a 0.8593 composite score from 247sports, which translates into a 3-star grade. Syracuse has Tucker listed at 5-10 and 202-pounds without any listed athletic metrics. Colleges are infamous for inflating height and weight; 247sports has his weight at 190 pounds. According to Noah’s article, he will gain between 12 and 20 pounds depending on which weight he actually entered college at. This projects him to be between 202 and 222-pounds as an NFL prospect. That range puts him within the 215-plus-pound weight requirement I like to see my NFL running back prospects meet.
High school Production and Athletic Testing
In his senior season in high school, Sean Tucker rushed for 1,204 yards and compiled 14 touchdowns. He had an even more impressive season as a junior, rushing for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns and averaging 129.6 yards per game. While he does not have any verified metrics, it is overtly apparent that he possesses the top-end speed necessary to be a successful NFL runner. He did win the Maryland Intercollegiate Athletic Associations 55-yard dash, clocking a 6.41 time. He was also the 100 and 200-meter sprint champion. Using a formula by “Up Next Devy Podcast” used to convert 100-meter sprint times into projected 40-yard Dash times, his 10.77 time would convert to a 4.50 40-yard Dash.
.@CuseFootball TD! Sean Tucker with a 40 yard run to cut the deficit to Syracuse 14, @NDFootball 24 after a made PAT! 11:20 Q3
— Ray Teodora (@rayteodora1) December 5, 2020
via NBC pic.twitter.com/CwWe6aGd7y
College production
In this COVID-shortened collegiate season, Tucker played in nine games. In those nine games, he logged 138 carries for 638 yards and four touchdowns, he also turning seven receptions into 103 yards. Granted, the ACC is far from a superior conference when it comes to elite talent. Against ranked schools, Tucker put up stat lines of 10/63/1 (against No. 2 Clemson) and 24/113/1 with 2/47 receiving (against No. 4 Notre Dame). His production against elite competition is its own compelling argument for why he deserves mention in this article series.
Collegiate Outlook
The ACC lacks elite competition, which will make Sean Tucker’s journey to the NFL even more arduous. His profile is encouraging, but he will need to show more before he starts flying up the rankings. If he continues to stay in the ACC for his collegiate career, he will need to counteract his softer competition with gaudy numbers. The fact that he is ranked highly in terms of offensive involvement means that he has the opportunity to build on that foundation in the coming years. The future is bright as long as he can continually capitalize on his offensive involvement. His current Campus to Canton ADP is unranked.
Follow Britt Sanders on Twitter @The_Sandman25