Tech’s Dwyer would be No. 8 player in NFL draft, scout says (UPDATED)
Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer has run to the head of the pack for running backs, says NationalFootballPost.com.
(I updated this blog with some comments from Wes Bunting below)
Georgia Tech’s latest surge has done more than just elevate the Yellow Jackets to the No. 7 team in the country. It has raised Jonathan Dwyer to the No. 8 draft-eligible player in the nation, at least according to one scouting website.
In his “Super 30″ rankings updated this week, Wes Bunting of NationalFootballPost.com lists Dwyer, a junior, as the best running back on the board and the No. 8 overall NFL prospect, ahead of Cal’s Jahvid Best (16th) and Clemson’s C.J. Spiller (22nd). Bunting called Dwyer “a violent runner who exhibits good vision between the tackles and has the initial burst to separate from defenders at the second level.”
Dwyer, who hasn’t yet said that he will enter the draft, has rushed for 610 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games, with a 7.27 per carry average.
Bunting also has Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan as the No. 17 player in the draft.
The National Football Post rankings differ from Mel Kiper’s Big Board and the Scout’s Inc. Top 100 list (Both require ESPN Insider membership. But I’ll share this if each of you promise to mail me 50 cents to help defray my expenses. OK? OK.)
Kiper wrote he generally doesn’t list juniors on his Big Board unless they’re obviously a top 15 player. Only two running backs made his overall list of top 25 players: Spiller (12) and Best (19). He has Dwyer listed as the second-best junior running back, behind Best.
Kiper also lists Morgan as the 15th best overall player in the draft. Among juniors, he has Georgia’s Rennie Curran as the No. 2 outside linebacker, Tech’s Morgan Burnett as the No. 2 safety, Tech’s Demaryius Thomas as the No. 4 wide receiver and Georgia’s Reshad Jones as the No. 5 safety.
The Todd McShay/Scout’s Inc. Top 100 list, disagrees with Kiper and National Football Post. He lists Morgan as the No. 6 player in the draft and Dwyer at 34th. He has two Georgia players in his top 100, defensive tackle Geno Atkins (65) and Jeff Owens (109). Curran is not on his list.
I’ll try to check these lists once in a while to keep you up to date.
UPDATE: Here are some comments from Bunting:
♦ On Dwyer: “He’s a violent runner who not only possesses the ability to be physical in between the tackles, but exhibits an impressive initial burst in the open field with the first step to separate from defenders at the second level. Dwyer looks NFL ready right now and has the ability to carry the load at the next level and be an every down type of back. Plus, coming out of the option offense, I think he’s going to benefit greatly from lining up eight yards behind the [line of scrimmage] in the NFL and will be even more instinctive and natural running the ball inside then he is now. His combination or power, burst and lateral agility or second to none in college football.”
♦ On why he’s ahead of Spiller and Best: “I don’t know if Spiller is an every-down back. [He] looks more like a Felix Jones type runner to me. As for Best, [he has] big play ability, and might have a bit more upside then Dwyer, but isn’t as physical and might have some trouble staying healthy. Dwyer just looks more like a sure thing to me. A more physically gifted Jonathan Stewart type runner in the NFL.”
♦ On his own background: “I am the Director of College Scouting for the Nationalfootballpost.com. I have been scouting college football since 2002.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
350 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
Every game, 8 Tech running backs (plus WRs on the end-around and reverse) are going to get their touches. The ones that are doing it the best in that particular game are going to get more. That has to be appealing to a prospective RB recruit.
SEC
November 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
haha keep it up yellow fuzz. your doin great!
SEC
November 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
Is it appealing enough for #8 overall is the question
Yellow Fuzz
November 20th, 2009
1:12 pm
Just telling it like it really is (not was), SEC. You guys can stay in the 80’s if you want to.
SEC
November 20th, 2009
1:14 pm
Ok yellow. apparently i have referred to that so many times haha. you can do better than that. Im not questioning your team. I’m questioning you.
JSS
November 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
Jacobs was a special case, one year at SIU, so the Giants got a steal in the 4th Round… Turner was a 5th round pick, but look who was drafted before in the draft… The same goes for Choice, these men are getting paid on their 2nd contract, not their first ones…
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
1:20 pm
SEC – If Dwyer is projected by the advisory committee as #8 overall, I think he’s got to take it. If he doesn’t, well Tech will certainly welcome him back for 2010. The B back that is redshirting this year is Daniel Drummond, 6′4″ 250. It’s a guess on my part, but if Drywer goes pro, they might move Anthony Allen to B back. He’s Dwyer’s size, and third on the team in rushing.
SEC
November 20th, 2009
1:22 pm
JSS the whole arguement is 8th overall. I think thats too high and your facts are proving that. He will go first round unless something crazy happens
SEC
November 20th, 2009
1:23 pm
I would personally take it because you can get your degree still even if you are pro. What happened to pollack is what they should be afraid of. The good thing for him was that he got his degree
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
As to power backs, the guy at Stanford has moved up in the Heisman discussions after the last 2 monster games he’s had.
JSS
November 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
And remember all of those people who questioned Adrian Peterson (because of injury)? Don’t over think the wheel… For team like Cleveland, Dwyer will do wonders, even with a clueless soul like Mangini at the helm. Shoot, Tashard Choice made Chan Gailey and Reggie Ball look good…
North Ave Pimp
November 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
DWYER = system guy, someone snelling, LOL LOL LOL You bums are funny, must be sore UGA fans… Can’t wait to see Dwyer in a pro set. If you can run betweeen GT’s 270 pound tackles your future in the pro’s is bright. GO JACKETS!! GO DIESEL!! UGA VII died of boredom (uga play-calling)
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
1:32 pm
NCAA rushing stats thru 11/14/2009
Toby Gerhart (Stanford) is #3
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&rpt=IA_playerrush&site=org&div=IA&dest=O
JSS
November 20th, 2009
1:36 pm
Toby Gerhart is a fine player. However, He is a straight ahead with very little swivel. His intangibles aren’t as high, but he is a gamer and scores… Notice how I didn’t have to crap on the kid to make the other players look good?
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Hmmm…the top SEC East rusher is Hardesty of UT at #31. Next is Tebow at #86. Strange stat this year.
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
1:38 pm
JSS – yeah, and I wonder how high he will go. Got to like the 19 TDs for the red zone.
JSS
November 20th, 2009
1:42 pm
SEC, my facts are that great backs are great backs… It is need. Cleveland is not going to make hay with Jamal Lewis anymore. A back like Dwyer makes life easier for mediocre or overrated QB’s… If it is No. 8, take him…
SEC
November 20th, 2009
1:42 pm
snelling? what are you talking about?
SEC
November 20th, 2009
1:43 pm
If Cleveland wants him they will trade down
JSS
November 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
Gerhart is a talented version of LSU’s Hester. It will be interesting to see and then you’ll start hearing about his height 6 ft or his speed 4.5…
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
1:51 pm
‘If you can run betweeen GT’s 270 pound tackles your future in the pro’s is bright.”
Brad Sellers at LT is 257!
JSS
November 20th, 2009
1:53 pm
There will no trading down in Cleveland this year… People are trying to save their JOBS!!! Unlike Atlanta, they (Browns fans) are aware of their weakness and are screaming for playmakers…
Mike
November 20th, 2009
1:55 pm
I hope Dwyer and Nesbit both go pro so we can fill these blogs up with excuses next year like the Dawg Nation has this year. LOL!
Yellow Fuzz
November 20th, 2009
1:56 pm
Hahahahahaha
Dawgone
November 20th, 2009
1:59 pm
SEC, I think I would have to agree with the tekkies on most of their posts. The Dwyer kid is a monster and should be a great NFL back. I think the system he runs in will only aid him as a feature back. The biggest issue with many of the good/great college backs is their durability in the NFL. Dwyer seems to be capable of being a feature back. Even Knowshon had an injury w/Denver earlier this year but has recovered nicely. Of course Dwyer will have to work more on blitz pickup, pass protection and route running in the pros than he does now, but as a feature back he’s a load with size, speed, power, and agility. Wish he was in our backfield!
RIP UGA VII
GT Bill
November 20th, 2009
2:00 pm
Great line Mike!
AFCS
November 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
georgia dawg nation = freaking cry babies!
SEC
November 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
I agreed with them that he was a great back just not #8. If Cleveland doesnt trade down they will not take him. Thats way too high. Cleveland will be in the top 5
Yellow Fuzz
November 20th, 2009
2:07 pm
SEC,
It’s not like anyone here cares or respects what you said as you have been wrong soooo many times before. Try posting less and fewer people will know.
GT babe
November 20th, 2009
2:12 pm
to GT Insider, what in he!! are you talking about? Read my comments again… I said Dwyer is coming back to win a national championship..and for CPJ he would do just that…the UGA fans can say so long but they have no authority on here. For CPJ, they will all stay and especially if they win the next 3..would come back preranked no worse than 3rd.
BTW, I am a female GT grad who also covered sports on tv and radio for 12 years..What I read on these blogs is x’sand o’s being called from a bunch of wannabe’s in their lazyboys..which ends amounting to nothing 99% of the time.
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
Nesbitt turning pro after his Junior year? I’ve seen that line before. I don’t know what his pct. greens in regulation are, nor his putting average.
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
GT babe – I’m not in a lazyboy, but I’ve got a lazy cat in my lap.
SEC
November 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
haha yellow fuzz….there you are…you just dont get that i really dont care what you have to say or how you feel. its a public forum and i will post what i want and when i want to
SEC
November 20th, 2009
2:16 pm
covered sports on tv and radio? what channel or station?
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
2:17 pm
Dwyer does a pretty good job of pancaking defenders when he’s carrying the ball.
GT babe
November 20th, 2009
2:18 pm
hi Delbert, I have cat too his name is Rusty, got to go work out have a nice guys
GT babe
November 20th, 2009
2:19 pm
Pittsburgh, Charleston and Charlotte
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
2:19 pm
GT babe – This one is Freddy, and Bucky is sitting on the couch beside him.
SEC
November 20th, 2009
2:20 pm
ok good answer….. what channel and what station?
coach D
November 20th, 2009
2:23 pm
Dwyer is a helluva back, but I think Anthony Allen is pretty impressive as well and think (from what I’ve seen) that he might be as good of a pro as Dwyer. Anyone agree/disagree?
Yellow Fuzz
November 20th, 2009
2:24 pm
SEC
“haha yellow fuzz….there you are…you just dont get that i really dont care what you have to say or how you feel. its a public forum and i will post what i want and when i want to”
I’m just here to make sure you do it with less credibility each time. That’s all.
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
2:26 pm
SEC – I understand your desire for a resume for proof, but it could also be considered stalking behavior.
Yellow Fuzz
November 20th, 2009
2:28 pm
lol. I still remember many famous dog bloggers that abused Mark Bradley for saying Dwyer could be a preseason Heisman candidate. Same dog sh*t, different day.
Delbert D.
November 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
coach D – Might get to see him at B back next year if Dwyer does turn pro. That would be a better time to assess him.
Yellow Fuzz
November 20th, 2009
2:29 pm
SEC,
I’m asking you politely to STFU!
SEC
November 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
Thats perfectly fine with me then. Im not sure your even credible your own fans. So you might actually make me look better….keep up the good work you little busy bee
typicalnerd
November 20th, 2009
2:32 pm
http://vmedia.rivals.com/UserMedia/FanPagesPhoto/Gallery/283/O217249.jpg
SEC
November 20th, 2009
2:32 pm
then report me. I’m asking because its not credible at all. Its a hoax and she has nothing to back it up. If your goin to hand out info at least have something to back it up….plus who wouldnt wanna promote themselves.
typicalnerd
November 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
that’s right…welcome to your fanbase
typicalnerd
November 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
that’s right…welcome to your fanbase