Big Ten 2010 // MVP Profile - Evan Royster
by Graham Filler on May 12, 2010 11:44 PM CDT
in Penn State
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PrintAfter finishing a very successful QB Mechanics series in Summer of 2009, we attempted to recreate the magic by starting a Running Back Mechanics series. Finding the profiles to be less informative and dynamic as the QB series, we moved on, but not before dissecting the running style of one Evan Royster. The 215 lb. halfback was coming off an extremely impressive sophomore campaign, full of weaving, hard nosed runs. And although his '09 stats weren't spectacular, no thanks to the O-Line, he didn't injure his reputation or his body in 2009. That's why this veteran halfback could be Penn State's MVP in 2010.
Evan's importance to this year's PSU team could not be higher. With Daryll Clark gone, the Spread HD will naturally be tweaked to its strengths. With a young QB and an O-Line that will be improved, the new strength/focus will be the run game.
But even beyond that obvious piece of analysis (oooo you hand it off to your stud HB to cover up your QB's weaknesses oooo you're a geniusss), Royster's running style and history illustrate how success will flow through his talented legs. He's played every game in the last two years, getting double digit carries in all but three games. All the weaving and twisting have spared Royster's body also. As I mentioned in my mechanics article, he doesn't try and run you over, he tries to get on your side and drag you forward for a few more yards. That's a sign of maturity, no question.
As Paterno Avenue pointed out via email, Royster is primed to bust the PSU all-time rushing yards record. We're going to a lot of the draws and simple off-tackle runs; every opponent knows Royster is "the guy" for this PSU offensive. We'll find out pretty quick if there will be any holes for him to swerve through and pick up positive yardage.
Some discussion points: Was Royster's occasional indecisiveness during 2009 100% a product of the horrendous O-Line? Will Evan work with the backups, pushing them to be game-time ready? Wiill Newsome be able to read coverages and dump down to Royster, his safety valve? Where will Evan be drafted?
This week...
MONDAY: Spring Field Guide
TUESDAY: Achilles Heel
WEDNESDAY: Greatest Strength
THURSDAY: MVP Profile
FRIDAY: Keeping the Enemy Close
***
More Big Ten 2010...
Indiana | Michigan | Illinois | Minnesota | Purdue | Michigan State | Northwestern | Wisconsin
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I'm a big fan of Royster
He’s got good speed, works hard, and fights for every yard he can. He also hits the hole very nicely.
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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on May 13, 2010 5:52 AM CDT reply actions
TWSS
He also hits the hole very nicely.
We are gonna shock them with 5,000 mega watts of raw ROO POWER.
by psuwxman on May 13, 2010 6:46 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ah
Didn’t catch that, good job.
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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on May 13, 2010 7:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Draft Stock
I think Royster is a solid, smart back who does everything well and yes, barring injury, he will be PSU’s all-time leading rusher by at least week 7. He’ll be on top of a list that includes NFL hall of famers, pro bowlers, and several 1st round draft picks.
I think what hurts his draft stock more than anything else is fashion. The trend in the NFL right now is to have two running backs: one bruiser and one scat back. He doesn’t fit either of those molds incredibly well. I’ve seen projections anywhere from the mid 1st round to early 3rd, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if he falls a bit farther than that.
No alarms and no surprises please.
agreed
agreed, agreed. Unless your an Adrian Peterson esque back with freakish physical ability, Royster-sized backs are not chic right now.
by Graham Filler on May 13, 2010 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions
He'll catch on somewhere, just not in the first round
I feel he goes down on first contact at an alarming rate however, and thats not going to help his NFL cause….
Out of Hound since 2008
He needs a great season if he's going to go in the first three rounds..
The NFL Draft isn’t exactly kind to Big Ten backs who have two good seasons and then tail off dramatically ala PJ Hill…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 13, 2010 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Goes down on first contact?
Dude averages 6 ypc for his career. I mean granted, hes no Tony Hunt out there, but if you are averaging that many ypc you are breaking a good many tackles. Its not like he has a pantsload of 50 yard runs to skew that average either.
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Personally, I think what will hold his draft stock back
Is that he does a lot of things really well but doesn’t have a particular mind-blowing aspect to his game. He’s fast, but not too fast, strong but not too strong, etc.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
You "feel" it?
What in the world does that mean? Does he, or doesn’t he? This sounds like something I’d read at 11W.
I know about your diabolical plan.
NO compliment.
He means “Do you actually have any kind of proof that what you said was true?”
As in, how on earth could you possibly claim that you “feel” like he goes down on first contact? Have you ever watched him play? Because that is not something he does. You don’t average 6 ypc while being tackled on the first hit all the time.
There are other areas that may cause him to fall in the draft, surely. However, that is not one of them.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
I would even settle for a reasonable argument
instead of “I just feel like he’s overrated” and the like.
I know about your diabolical plan.
Was Royster's occasional indecisiveness during 2009 100% a product of the horrendous O-Line?
This reader says yes. His soph year, behind an experienced Oline, he showcased his number one asset not mentioned in the above profile: his vision. I’m guessing even a slight reduction in Oline horrendousness will result in improved decisiveness built upon higher confidence and gifted vision.
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
thanks
Well said. With your permission, ill be using that piece of analysis all year.
by Graham Filler on May 14, 2010 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Penn State fans would be pretty happy if Evan Royster turned out to be Marshall Faulk 2.0
Not overly flashy, just solid, good vision, and consistent. Yuo can’t have ENOUGH backs like that…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 16, 2010 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions
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