Cedric Benson Profile - 2005 NFL Draft Prospects

Draft Notes

Strengths: Very good all-around athletic ability...Good size...Tough, powerful runner...Shows good vision and balance...Has strong legs and can move a pile...Hits the hole hard...Is quick and shows some some shiftiness for a guy his size...A workhorse who gets stronger with more carries and as the game goes on...Isn't just a short yardage runner and can break the long one...Extremely productive, ran for 1,000+ yards every year and is one of the most prolific running backs in college football history. Might run a little high but has good burst through the line and has very good hands out of the backfield. He has wonderful feet and very good change of direction skills in the open field. He is also still a young player and has not even come close to what he could become in the future if he dedicates himself ...Hasn't yet reached his full potential.

Weaknesses: Although good for his size, he won't wow you with his pure speed...Is only average as a receiver...Had some off the field legal issues...Has had some minor injuries but will play through them...Has carried the ball a lot and there is some wear on his tires. Some really question his passion for the game, he has said before he wants to play baseball as well as football. He just does not run with passion or heart, he gets hit and goes down does not fight for extra yards. Is a very talented player but could be a more passionate and strong runner .

Notes: If talking just flat out skills Benson is as skilled as any running back prospect. Has it all, can move, agile, quick, great hands and is athletic. But I don’t think he has the mentality to be a great running back, because he just doesn’t seem to want it as bad as some players. If he ever gets a passion and intensity for playing the game of football he could be a great looking running back prospect...Rated as the current number two pick in our mock draft

Official Bio

A quick, elusive and physical back who models his game after his hero, 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams … also possesses great vision and balance … “runs big, doesn't get knocked off his feet very easily and hits the hole quickly,” offensive coordinator Greg Davis says … a two-time UT offensive MVP … has run for 3,706 yards (No. 3 on UT’s all-time list) in 37 games (31 starts) … is the only NCAA Division I-A running back that has rushed for 1,000 yards the past three seasons … also has rushed for 45 TDs (No. 2 on the UT all-time list) on 786 carries and caught 47 passes for 442 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons … is the nation's top returning rusher (3,706 yards) and the NCAA leading returnee in rushing TDs (45) … has totaled 4,148 all-purpose yards in his career (No. 6 on UT’s all-time list) … has recorded 15 career 100-yard games (T-No. 4 on UT’s career list) and Texas is 15-0 in those games … has three career 200-yard games (T-No. 3 on UT’s all-time list) … 190 of his 786 career carries have gone for first downs (24.2%) … has gained 2,046 of his 3,706 career rushing yards (55.2%) after contact … only 60 of his 786 career carries have resulted in lost yardage (once every 13 carries) … has fumbled just 10 times in 786 carries (once every 78.6 carries) … has scored a rushing TD in 24 of his last 29 games … his 284 career points rank fourth in UT history and his 47 total touchdowns are second behind Ricky Williams (75) … a consensus first-team All-Big 12 pick as a junior … ran for 1,002 yards and 14 touchdowns on 168 attempts over the last six games and rushed for a touchdown in the last seven in 2003 … cleared the 1,000-yard mark at Texas A&M during his junior season to become just the third back in UT history to rush for 1,000 in three consecutive seasons and the first to do so in his first three years on campus … played in 12 games with 11 starts in 2003, compiling 1,360 yards rushing (No. 5 on UT’s single-season list) on 258 carries with 21 touchdowns (No. 3 on UT’s single-season list) … also has nine receptions for 120 yards and a 59-yard touchdown (at Rice) … finished second in the nation in scoring (11.17 ppg) on 134 points (No. 3 on UT’s single-season list) … twice named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and three times named UT’s Darrell K Royal Offensive Player of the Week … had a career-high 283 yards and four touchdowns at Texas A&M … despite battling turf toe and cracked ribs, rushed for 1,293 yards (No. 7 on UT’s single-season list) and 12 TDs as a sophomore … had 208- and 199-yard efforts, on the year … also caught 21 passes for 119 yards and led the team with 1,412 all-purpose yards … a consensus second-team All-Big 12 choice in 2002 … one of the nation's top true freshmen in 2001 … played in 12 games and started seven contests overall … missed the second half of the Big 12 Championship game and did not play in the Holiday Bowl due to a pinched nerve in his neck … set or tied 13 UT freshman records … ranked first among true freshman running backs nationally in rushing yards and third among all freshman backs (1,053 yards) … became the first UT freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in a season … earned first-team Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News … named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and UT's Offensive MVP (first freshman in UT history to accomplish that) … became the first UT player since RB Terry Orr (1984) to record a 60-yard run and reception in the same game (vs. Kansas) … the first Longhorn since Eric Metcalf (1985) to post a 60-yard rush and reception in the same season … a prep Parade All-American and three-time Texas 5A Offensive Player of the Year … rushed for 8,423 career yards and scored 127 TDs during his prep career....more