NCAA Scouting – Player Profile: Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty by Jody Jamieson 1/3/2009
Think of the damage Rashad Jennings and LeSean McCoy could have done with the Pittsburgh Panthers. Both enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, but Jennings transferred to Liberty after the 2005 season, just missing McCoy who became a Panther in 2006. You’d wonder why a good running back prospect would leave Pitt to go and play in Division I-AA’s Big South Conference and you’d maybe be inclined to point at either some character problems, or him being dumped off the programme. Jennings was doing fine at Pitt and even earned the starting running back job as a freshman. But the reason he transferred was due to the declining health of his father. Albert Jennings suffers from diabetes and unfortunately had to have a leg amputated towards the end of 2005. Jennings, from Forest, Virginia (10 miles from Liberty University) transferred to be closer to home and help his family. Thankfully for him, his transfer hasn’t been a bad move for his football career and he was able to stay on the radar while helping care for his father.
In 29 career games at Liberty, Jennings went over 100 yards 22 times. I-AA obviously isn’t the greatest setting in the world to showcase your skills, but if you have talent it will shine through. Just ask Joe Flacco and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Jennings is very unlikely to be a first round pick, but with a little luck will be taken on Day 1. He did himself no harm at the East-West Shrine Game or the Senior Bowl and while the Combine wasn’t particularly helpful for him, it shouldn’t kill his stock. He’s definitely not a feature back, but teams love the little and large combination nowadays anyway. There’s a place for Jennings in the league, and he can surprise a lot of people in his rookie year in the right situation.
What we like about Jennings
Nice versatile guy who can stay in on every down. He’s a good runner, receiver and blocker. As a runner he’s powerful and shifty with a decent cut move. Also he’s very willing to drop the shoulder and hit someone. Nice patient runner who waits for the play to develop and hits the hole. As a receiver he has safe hands and runs good routes. As a blocker he’ll chip as he goes out on a route and picks up the blitz well. Nice size for a power back and was particularly impressive in college on the goalline.
Question marks about Jennings
Competition is an obvious question mark. Not exactly a big play threat and doesn’t make great decisions in the open field. Occasionally dances into trouble when he’s got space. Struggles with conditioning and tends to wear down as a game goes on if he’s getting a lot of touches. His legs occasionally go dead on contact. Need to protect the ball a little better.
Highlight of his college career
Jennings topped 1,500 yards in his senior year with the Liberty Flames, and rushed for 17 touchdowns. A September game at Youngstown State was particularly impressive as Jennings ran for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jennings was named a first team I-AA All-American after his senior year.
Other snippets
6′ 1″ tall and weighed in at 231 lbs at the Combine. Ran a disappointing 4.60 40 yard dash, but the 40 wasn’t kind to many running back prospects. He did bench 225lbs 29 times which was the most among running backs. His brother Bryan played tight end with the Virginia Tech Hokies. Could bulk up and play fullback if a career as a tailback in the pros doesn’t quite pan out the way we expect it to. I actually like him as a potential tight end if it all goes sour, even if he is a little short for that position. It’s a shame the Saints don’t have a second round pick, as I think Jennings would be a great fit there and I doubt he’ll still be there in the 3rd. Philadelphia, Miami and Arizona are potential landing spots in the second round.
NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
In 29 career games at Liberty, Jennings went over 100 yards 22 times. I-AA obviously isn’t the greatest setting in the world to showcase your skills, but if you have talent it will shine through. Just ask Joe Flacco and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Jennings is very unlikely to be a first round pick, but with a little luck will be taken on Day 1. He did himself no harm at the East-West Shrine Game or the Senior Bowl and while the Combine wasn’t particularly helpful for him, it shouldn’t kill his stock. He’s definitely not a feature back, but teams love the little and large combination nowadays anyway. There’s a place for Jennings in the league, and he can surprise a lot of people in his rookie year in the right situation.
