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Vikings 2017 draft prospect spotlight: Texas RB D’Onta Foreman

By Jordan Reid

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas defeated Notre Dame 50-47 in double overtimeMandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas defeated Notre Dame 50-47 in double overtimeMandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas defeated Notre Dame 50-47 in double overtimeMandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D’Onta Foreman (33) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas defeated Notre Dame 50-47 in double overtimeMandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Could the former record-setting Texas Longhorn be the next great running back for the Minnesota Vikings?

In a deep running back class, Texas ball carrier D’Onta Foreman is one running back who has consistently stood out. The talented rusher is an impressive combination of power, speed and elusiveness.

Foreman is coming off an incredible season, recording 2,028 yards and 15 touchdowns. Impressive considering that he is listed at 6-foot-1, 249 pounds.

Running backs with his type of body frame are commonly known as power runners, but Foreman is not limited to being just that. He has the patience, vision and cutting ability of many backs smaller than him, but also the power to lower his pad level and finish runs.

On film, you notice that Foreman has home run ability. Meaning that he has the ability to maximize long runs by finishing them with touchdowns. It is a common theme on his tape, and something that you rarely see with a running back of his stature.

One of the most concerning aspects of Foreman’s game though is his low reception numbers (13) and fumbles, having six fumbles alone in 2016.

Reports surfaced Monday evening that the former Texas running back admitted to playing through last season with a broken hand. This may have contributed to his high fumble totals throughout his career.

As a receiving threat, Foreman only has 13 career catches, with three drops. Just because Foreman has a limited amount of catches does not mean he is not capable of being a receiving threat in the NFL, it just means that he wasn’t asked to do it a lot in Austin.

Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) runs against Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Emmanuel Beal (14) in the game at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back D’Onta Foreman (33) runs against Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Emmanuel Beal (14) in the game at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

At the combine, the talented rusher will need to prove that he can comfortably catch out of the backfield because there is such a small sample size of him doing it in his collegiate career.

Another debated topic among Foreman is his ability to pass protect. With the NFL becoming more of a passing league, it is essential that running backs are able to pass protect. If not, they are limited to just being a two-down option.

Foreman’s technique in pass protection needs improvement but the awareness and effort is there as he did not allow a sack in 160 block snaps.

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