Hunt’ing For A Running Back
March 21st, 2017
Serious interest.
If the Bucs draft a wide receiver in the first round and wait to secure a much-needed running back, there is a MAC rusher Bucs fans might want to pay attention to.
Regular readers here know Joe finds it meaningless if an NFL team speaks to a college prospect once. However, if a team speaks to the prospect a number of times, there is real interest. Otherwise, a team wouldn’t waste the time.
If a scout is at a guy’s pro day, the interest ramps up. If a player has a private workout for a team on the road, then there is significant interest.
Enter Kareem Hunt. Per Jenna Laine of ESPN, he Bucs arranged a private workout with the explosive running back.
… Runs with good pad level, low center of gravity and is patient. He averaged 123.6 yards per game over the last three seasons and produced 113 explosive plays (runs of 12 yards or more) in four seasons were second-most in college football.
That’s a lot of explosive plays and we all know how much winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter covets explosive plays. Hunt averaged 6.3 yards a carry in his four years in the MAC and an insane 8.0 yards a carry as a sophomore.
Dude can also catch the ball. Hunt caught 41 passes last year for damned near 10 yards a catch.
Simply put, teams aren’t going to spend the money to fly and house an assistant coach on the road to work out a player unless the guy has impressed the organization in previous interviews and clearly with his tape.
Watch Hunt clips below and tell Joe what you think.
March 21st, 2017 at 5:41 am
Absolutely NO breakaway speed….like Doug Martin
March 21st, 2017 at 5:50 am
Great college career, but wary of the ankle & hamstring issues he had in 2 out of his 3 yrs at Toledo. Rather have Marion Mack if we’re talking about a 3rd rnd RB. Faster & more explosive.
March 21st, 2017 at 5:50 am
Clips are impressive. Soundtrack sucked- you coulda left that off.
He looks good getting thru the hole. Good at first move, but looks like once he changes, thats it. Might be a little lacking of 2nd gear- evident when hes caught at goal line.
I like him. good initial burst. Good eyes for finding opening. Good initial burst thru the hole. Good at breaking tackles. Man, learning a good stiff arm would help him excell. Hes strong, with good balance.
I would love to get him in round 3, but would probably be happy with him in round 2
March 21st, 2017 at 6:10 am
I love this kid!
March 21st, 2017 at 6:15 am
Who would have imagined, Toledo, the hot bed of NFL draft talk in Tampa, Between Hunt and the TE Roberts.
March 21st, 2017 at 6:18 am
Don’t hold your breath on a wr. #1
March 21st, 2017 at 6:27 am
I think he is good but we need to get the best.
March 21st, 2017 at 6:43 am
Long since been a fan of Kareem Hunt. I’m surprised you didnt mention his stellar play at the senior bowl Joe.
He’s 2nd on my list of desired late round guys. Right behind Sameje Perine, and right ahead of Marlon Mack.
March 21st, 2017 at 6:46 am
I don’t care if a RB is drafted…..just don’t take him in the 1st round
March 21st, 2017 at 6:50 am
I like the way you thing Joe! Bucs have needs at wide receiver, safety, running back, tight-end, and linebacker.
March 21st, 2017 at 7:00 am
Hunt might become a great NFL running back, but he’ll unlikely ever be called “explosive” unless you’re talking about a pop on contact.
March 21st, 2017 at 7:12 am
I’ve always liked him. Has great balance and vision. Can be had in the middle third most likely and we would need to manipulate our position to get him. wouldn’t mind trading our 2 for a 3rd and a 4th if you find a trade partner.
March 21st, 2017 at 7:16 am
Hunt is just one of many RBs that will be available in the middle rounds that can be a solid starting RB if they choose to go that route.
As far as WR Round 1 goes, John Ross is a serious possibility if he is available. If he clears the medical checks after the shoulder surgery of course. One thing about John Ross that I haven’t seen mentioned much on here or really anywhere is that his mentor and training partner just happens to be a Buc now, DeSean Jackson. Licht has insight to his work ethic, how he trains, what he has been working on, etc. just by having a convo with DeSean.
Now if I was the GM I wouldnt take him, but it is a major possibility
March 21st, 2017 at 7:28 am
So Blake on tape this back is clearly slow and at best a plotter and missed 6 games in the past 2 years while playing a bunch of nobodies. Yet your a fan of him but rip Cook (who missed one game and tore up some of the best defenses in college football weekly) on this site daily? You have a strang way of evaluating talent my friend.
March 21st, 2017 at 7:28 am
Alternative is Brian Hill/Wyoming 6-1, 219, 4.54. Hiil is a big back that has drawn Bucs interest. Bucs attended his pro day and held a private meeting with Hill. He is projected in the 4th round.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbONj24BVKc
March 21st, 2017 at 7:30 am
Sorry guys but this guy has Aaron Stecker written all over him.
March 21st, 2017 at 7:34 am
Think he could be had in 3rd round. Some say 4th but that is too late. That would be a steal
March 21st, 2017 at 7:39 am
Ndog, this guybcan be had in the late 3rd/ early 4th round of the draft, and I don’t judge running backs strictly on speed. He has solid vision and patience, great balance, he can catch, he gets yards, and he doesnt fumble the ball.
He’s no gamebreaker, but he would be competent. Which Imo is all you really need.
Notice I didnt say he’s better than Cook.
I just dont want to spend a 1st round pick on a guy.
March 21st, 2017 at 7:50 am
Love all the Fantasy GMs, every year its watch this guy in this late a round. Hunt, too slow, Perrine, definitely too slow. I like a rb that can, possibky, out run a D lineman.
March 21st, 2017 at 7:56 am
I think this is where we differ, if you want this guy why draft anyone at all? We already have him in Quiz Rodgers, P, Barber or a undrafted guy from this year? We need explosion to scare the defense and make them pick, stack the box and play D Jax and Evans 1 on 1, or play two deep and take their chances of giving up the home run play to the back. We don’t get that with this guy or our current guys so waste a draft pick on him?
March 21st, 2017 at 8:07 am
And thats where we differ. And apparently so does Koetter. Dirk defines an explosive running play as anything 12 yards or more. Of which this guy produced 113 of them at toledo.
Another function that a Rb has in Dirks system is to be a reliable checkdown target when everyone down the field is covered. 41 catches last year, another box checked.
I guess our biggest difference in opinion is preffered style of running back. To give you a sense of the guys I like, my favorite running back of the last 10 years is Frank Gore. Somebody that no one would describe as a home run threat. But a guy that is a bruising, punishing runner that will get chunk after chunk, and wear down a Defense. In addition to being able to catch, and punch it in the end zone.
Thats why my favorite candidate (not to be confused with best player) is Sameje Perine. If you got a guy that can average 4.5-5 yards a carry, then it doesnt matter whether they can hit the long run or not, Defense will stack the box, or get chunked to death.
I think that Kareem Hunt would also be able to fill that role.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:08 am
To me Hunt is a 3-4 round talent. Drafting him in the 2d round would be a waste of pick. Drafting a RB like Mixon (1st round talent minus the punch) in the 3rd round would make much more sence for the team.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:08 am
Good player that I would consider in the 4th round if the Bucs have not already drafted a running back.
He has No break away speed but at least he is not an admitted drug addict that is injury prone.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:10 am
I like him!
March 21st, 2017 at 8:19 am
If the bucs want another WR…. just draft Mccaffrey and throw him in the slot a lot or go get a TE. We really don’t need another WR. Humphrey will have a great season in the slot.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:21 am
If Hunt was faster he’d be a 2nd round pick, he looks like Marshawn Lynch, love the way he breaks tackles with his vision and balance. But that speed might push him to the 5-6 round range, would he break so many tackles in the SEC, definitely not the NFL, still rather have Mixon than Cook though
March 21st, 2017 at 8:23 am
Joe, I listened to your podcast with “The Man of the Hour” and I completely agree with you that the Bucs do not need to draft a RB in the first round. I think your points on finding great value and great talent later on in the draft or in free agency was spot on. I also agreed with your point on needing to find balance in the draft.
So, all that being said I think you’re right that the Bucs should either go DT and WR in the first couple of rounds. For every Ezekiel Elliot there’s a Trent Richardson. Tevin Coleman, David Johnson, and Devonta Freeman are all examples of great talent found in the 3rd round and later.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:27 am
Hunt had 1 fumble during his college career…yeah 1. He was easily the best RB at the Senior bowl and can catch out of the backfield. He’s a 3rd or 4th rounder. I do not believe in RBs in the first round, so this guy fits. He is going to be a very good RB.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:27 am
@ Blake
I agree 1000%.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:32 am
This kid can run. Simple as that. Those that say otherwise don’t know what they’re looking for
March 21st, 2017 at 8:33 am
I think these RB’s are going to fall alot deeper in this draft than most people are thinking. I think there’s only going to be two drafted in the 1st round. Why jump so early on when there are so many to be had?
March 21st, 2017 at 8:36 am
Aaron Stecker, LOL. I was thinking Charles Sims myself (without the dancing, apparently the Bucs love twinkle toes Sims, though). The Bucs need 2 Rbs in this draft, I think if Cook is there, it is an easy decision at 19, but we still need another RB. It is so funny to me that everyone knocks a guy for minor injuries in college, yet 2 of our 4 RBs rarely finish seasons (Sims and Martin).
March 21st, 2017 at 8:41 am
Why is it that anyone that wants to make a negative comparison to a Rb they go to Charles Sims? Kareem Hunt looks nothing like Sims, and plays nothing like Sims, so wheres the resemblance?
March 21st, 2017 at 8:44 am
I like Perine way better than Hunt for a mid round RB.
Perine is way more powerful and also faster on top end.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:49 am
Round 1 – David Njoku or OJ Howard
Round 2 – Curtis Samuel, Chris Godwin, Zay Jones, or Josh Robinson
Round 3 – Samaje Perine
This is my dream scenario that propels us to the SB against Tom Brady next season.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:51 am
My biggest concern with the guys from smaller schools is if they are really that talented or just the man playing pop warner football. A good gauge of this is how Hunt performed against higher level competition.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:52 am
I agree Blake he is nothing like Simms, but I think his point is he is not good cause Simms was horrible last year just horrible. This guy looks like an average back to me and I’m not sure Simms is a average back. His dancing for no reason and dropped passes turning into picks were just horrible. He got his shot a 100% blew it!
March 21st, 2017 at 8:56 am
Hunt didnt look very average when he was putting in work at the senior bowl.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hSYMQSjUra8
March 21st, 2017 at 8:57 am
Quality Aaron Stecker blast! 🙂
March 21st, 2017 at 8:58 am
Great idea USFBUC but the only team they played that has any quality was Western Michigan. He did run for 200 yards in that game but then again WMU got tore up in their bowl game when they finally played somebody.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:58 am
Defense Rules….like you I believe I have watched a ton of his games for short term investment purposes mainly and entertainment on MAC tues-thursdays, and he is a load in the MAC but he was ALWAYS getting hurt, he peel off a 40 yard run and limp to the sideline, then come back and do the same, rack up 200 yards but always go out, just seems to me someone to stay away from
March 21st, 2017 at 9:13 am
Would rather have D’onta Foreman
March 21st, 2017 at 9:29 am
#Repost
January 5th, 2017 at 1:01 pm←
I’ve got a lot respect for Samaje Perine game – and my late round sleeper is –Kareem Hunt.
This is a very deep running back class.
Another kid that’s very impressive (among many) is that kid out of Texas El Paso
RB Aaron Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP2YjidB3wM
March 21st, 2017 at 9:38 am
Mind you – despite the multiple threats this kid presents for the opposing defense.
Please note – that both Aaron Jones parents are Vets.
Father is Retired Military & Mother is still Active Duty.
So he could acclimate to the culture in Tampa seemlessly
March 21st, 2017 at 9:43 am
I like Alvin kamara in the second round and if he’s gone then mixon. I don’t agree with taking a running back in the first round unless his talent compares to Barry sanders.
March 21st, 2017 at 9:44 am
looks good but sloooooow. @Scotty in Fat Antonio called it. Too much like dougie though. Looks like he hits quick sand when he get to the 2nd level… like Dougie. We don’t need a dougie 2.0 that’s a little better at catching the ball, we someone that will scare the crap out of the LBs.
March 21st, 2017 at 9:44 am
There are a lot of backs in this year’s draft and a ton of variety. You’ve got “old school” bruisers, and “new school” scat-backs. Whatever you want, there’s a style available.
What I find remarkable is everybody seemed OK when Doug racked up 1400 yards running the same way Hunt does in this highlight. Suddenly, we need nothing short of Barry Sanders! There are 2 guys, just off the top of my head, Terrell Davis and Emmitt Smith that were slow as molasses but somehow made it to the HOF. The position requires more than speed.
I’m OK with whatever the Bucs decide to do, so long as there’s a vision.
March 21st, 2017 at 9:59 am
Bucsfanman
That’s the part the cracks me up.
You’ve NEVER needed a Bell Cow Running Back to win in this league.
In fact its quite the opposite – because the running back by committee system…
…has probably one at least 70-75% “ALL” NFL Championships.
It’s one of the most inaccurate, misleading – so called facts of all-time.
March 21st, 2017 at 10:13 am
I dont see Kareem Hunt as an upgrade over Jaquizz Rodgers
March 21st, 2017 at 10:17 am
Hunt would be a good pick in the 3rd if we haven’t drafted a RB earlier.
March 21st, 2017 at 10:19 am
I would love to have a homerun type of back but the most important thing is that the RB is reliable. Hunt put up good numbers in the senior bowl so maybe he will pan out in the NFL. If he can come in and get 4+ ypc I will be happy. Watching a few of his videos I would be willing to place him third on my list of desired RBs behind Cook and Mixon.
I also wouldn’t mind a guy like Perine to play FB for us.
March 21st, 2017 at 10:24 am
You don’t necessarily need a home-run threat RB when you have two stud wide receivers.
5-8 yard chunks in the running game, and solid catching in the flat would make our play action-based offense excel.
March 21st, 2017 at 10:31 am
Personally not sold on Marlon Mack….As USF alumni, watched him from the beginning, never displayed dominance against any big programs. I like Mixon or McCaffrey at #19 or possibly 2nd rd. These other guys remind me of Martin…they’ll flash occasionally but won’t be consistent impact players.
March 21st, 2017 at 10:34 am
kind of reminds me of kamara out of tennessee not exactly the break away nobody’s gonna catch him guy but consistent runner who can give u explosive plays if we go defense early i wouldn’t mind this guy in the 3rd round
March 21st, 2017 at 10:53 am
@LUV- I always loved the “Thunder/Lightning”, “WD-40” combination because of the vastly different styles. When you field RBs like that, the D can’t really key on anything specific. And, if you have guys, like Alstott and Dunn, that can catch, watch the F out. The playbook is infinite.
We’ve got Quizz, why not bring in a hammer like Perine or Hunt?!
March 21st, 2017 at 11:11 am
Ummm
March 21st, 2017 at 11:11 am
For some reason, every time I use a certain players name or link my comment won’t appear
March 21st, 2017 at 11:12 am
EH UNC RB
March 21st, 2017 at 11:13 am
Why won’t it let me use his name wtf lol reeeaaaalllllly
March 21st, 2017 at 11:14 am
E Hood
March 21st, 2017 at 11:18 am
Protects the football, but how is his pass protection prowess?
March 21st, 2017 at 12:02 pm
His Senior Bowl clips are probably better. He looks like a solid 2nd-3rd round guy. I also really like Curtis Samuel of Ohio St. He adds a different dimension than anybody else in the draft.
March 21st, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Once he gets into the secondary, he looks like Refrigerator Perry.
March 21st, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Blake, honestly, it is only because HE (Sims) is the guy that needs to be replaced IMO. He is the guy that is supposed to be able to take it to the house. He has been with us for 3 years, He played 7, 16 and 8 games in those 3 years. He has 2 total rushing TDs and 4 receiving TDs. He only has 224 Rushing attempts and 94 receptions in those 3 years. He can’t stay healthy. Much like you do not like Dalvin, I don’t like Charles Sims. What’s that saying? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity (or something like that). Enough is enough. We need 2 more RBs in this draft, if Dalvin or Fournette is there you take them, no question, if not, I’m warming up to your OJ Howard pick, though he will not be there either. I don’t trust NJoku, he hasn’t done it long enough. Engram I would be okay with though.
March 21st, 2017 at 12:57 pm
He’s a third or fourth round talent, so Jason Licht will trade back into the second round to draft him.
March 21st, 2017 at 3:47 pm
I liked the 0 fumbles lost.
March 21st, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Bucsfanman
Speak on it brotha…Speak on it
March 21st, 2017 at 7:08 pm
One bad pick and your all on Jason licht. I can imagine how much of a prick you were when we had mark domonick.
March 21st, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Has real talent
March 22nd, 2017 at 12:32 am
Meh