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.
Texas HB D'Onta Foreman hasn't allowed a sack in 160 pass-blocking snaps this year, good for the best pass-blocking efficiency in CFB. pic.twitter.com/4JKLcoCB3Z
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 29, 2016
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.
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.