LADAINIAN TOMLINSON
By: Dave-Te' Thomas

#5-LADAINIAN TOMLINSON Texas Christian University Horned Frogs 5:10.0-221

ANALYSIS
Positives... Well-built athlete with an outstanding size/speed package... Flashes quick moves off the snap and is very effective scanning the field when taking a pitch-out...Shows determination and power running between the tackles...Has a compact build and a strong lower frame that allows him to run through arm tackles...Shows strength breaking into the secondary... Takes good angles trying to accelerate past the line...Has good veer and weave running with the ball...Protects the ball securely and displays solid route-running skills with proper hand extension going for the screen passes...Very quick and decisive getting to off-target throws...Stands his ground firmly as a blocker picking up the blitz, facing up to deliver a forceful hand punch.

Negatives... Works better when taking the pitch-out, lacking the sudden moves to get off the snap from the proper stance...For all of his power, he seems to prefer to run out of bounds rather than turn upfield to gain extra yardage...not that productive when called upon to take the ball up the middle...Looks to make the "home run" plays too often, developing a reliance on that factor... Better when he gets a rolling start (best with a few yards to build up), but still lacks that explosive burst you'd want in a player with his quickness...Little tight in the hips, preventing him from developing any "shake-&-bake" moves...Willing blocker, but not one who can rock the defender back...Shows strength breaking low tackles, but does not have that quick first step to avoid nor does he use his power to move the pile.

CAREER NOTES
The most decorated player in the history of the school...Became the first TCU player to finish in the top five in the Heisman Trophy voting (2000) since tailback Kenneth Davis finished fifth in 1984, and only the fifth player ever to accomplish that feat, joining Sammy Baugh (fourth in 1936), Davey O'Brien (won in 1938), Davis and Jim Swink (second in 1955)...His 5263 rushing yards rank eighth in NCAA Division 1-A history and he is only the ninth player in NCAA annals to surpass the 5000-yard barrier...His total is also a Western Athletic Conference career record...Has scored 324 points in his career, a school record and 13th on the NCAA Division 1-A all-time list...Holds the school's career-record, ranks second in WAC history and eighth in NCAA annals with 54 touchdowns on the ground...Holds the Horned Frogs record with 21 100-yard games rushing, including in his last thirteen contests (rushed for 2689 yards in those thirteen games)...Holds TCU's all-time records with 6337 all-purpose yards, the 11th-best total in college football history... Earned Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors eleven times during his career...Only the third player in Division 1-A history to lead the nation in rushing in consecutive years (1999-2000), joining Iowa State's Troy Davis (1995-96) and Ricky Williams of Texas (1997-98)...Became the first player in school annals to ever lead the nation in rushing (1850 yards in 1999)...Joined Ricky Williams as the only players in college football to ever rush for over 2000 yards in a season and over 5000 yards in a career...First TCU player since Kenneth Davis (1984) to earn All-American honors...Since arriving on campus in 1997, he has averaged 109.5 yards per game rushing against ranked opponents...Owns four of the school's top fifteen runs from scrimmage, including a pair of 89-yarders that set the Horned Frog mark.

REMIND ME OF... Philadelphia's Duce Staley.

GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... Once he adjusts to running from a pro-set instead of a veer offense, watch him grow into a very effective back. Definitely starting material, but he has enough to only garner All-Pro consideration eventually, but this is no franchise back (or anyone else) here, folks. His numbers are very impressive, but he's a product of the team's system. Too bad too many general managers are desperate for a running back, as he'll go higher than his stock dictates.

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