The 1992 WTF College Draft: Available Running Backs
Name: Tony Smith Position: RB College: Southern Mississippi Outlook: Smith was a solid runner in college who may find it difficult to transition his game to the pros. As a third-down change-of-pace style runner, he could have some success in this league, but Smith’s potential as a breakout star is very limited, and certainly not worth trading a franchise QB for. (Trivia: in real life he was selected by the Falcons using the 1st round draft pick obtained from the Packers in exchange for Brett Favre—also a Southern Miss product!) RS MS HP BC RC % 38 38 25 50 25 75 38 31 25 50 19 10 38 44 31 50 31 10 38 50 38 50 38 5 Tecmo Comparison: Darrell Thompson Name: Vaughn Dunbar Position: RB College: Indiana Outlook: Like Tony Smith, Dunbar isn’t going to wow anyone with his talent in the WTF, but he could become a solid backup. His upside and proven track record (sixth in Heisman voting this year while at Indiana) should lead to a late round selection for a team needing a little speed at RB. He’s certainly one of the safest bets to provide an upgrade at this position. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 38 25 50 25 75 38 44 31 50 31 15 38 50 38 50 31 10 Tecmo Comparison: Rueben Mayes Name: Amp Lee Position: RB College: Florida State Outlook: Lee is not only one of the top RBs in this year’s draft, but a conversion to WR may be an option for this multi-talented college star. He doesn’t possess blazing speed but has enough speed to be a weapon in certain, pass-heavy offenses. Lee almost definitely will provide an upgrade for some team at either the backup RB or WR position. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 44 25 50 50 50 38 50 25 50 50 20 38 38 25 50 44 20 31 31 25 50 56 10 Tecmo Comparison: Eric Metcalf Name: Kevin Turner Position: RB College: Alabama Outlook: Turner is slow but is a bruising kind of back with some good ability to catch out of the backfield. In a methodical, deliberately-paced offense he could flourish. Teams looking for high-powered octane at the running back position would be wise to steer clear of Kevin Turner. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 31 50 50 38 60 44 38 63 50 44 20 38 25 44 50 31 20 Tecmo Comparison: John Stephens Name: Rodney Culver Position: RB College: Notre Dame Outlook: There is nothing flashy or remotely noteworthy about Culver’s game. He did a nice job toting the rock for the Fighting Irish the past couple seasons but it is unlikely that he’ll find his way onto a WTF roster in 1992. RS MS HP BC RC % 31 31 31 50 31 80 31 25 25 50 25 10 38 38 38 50 38 10 Tecmo Comparison: Mosi Tatupu Name: Edgar Bennett Position: RB College: Florida State Outlook: Bennett appears to be one of the top running backs in this year’s draft. He does everything well, but nothing spectacularly aside from his outstanding ball-handling—this man very rarely fumbled in college. Fresh out of the Bowden regime at Florida State, Bennett looks poised to be a late first or early second round selection for a team in need of a potential future stud at the running back position. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 44 38 63 44 50 38 50 44 75 50 25 44 56 44 81 50 5 38 38 38 50 38 20 Tecmo Comparison: Dexter Carter Name: Sam Gash Position: RB College: Penn State Outlook: With a name like Sam Gash, there’s no surprise that this guy can pack a powerful punch in the running game. He’s not going to gain many yards himself, but he will help clear holes for the ball carrier and also has decent ability to catch balls out of the backfield. His sheer power will make many teams interested in him solely as a possible kick return specialist. Should be a late round selection. RS MS HP BC RC % 44 25 88 50 38 75 38 25 75 50 31 15 44 31 94 50 44 10 Tecmo Comparison: Tony Paige Name: Derrick Moore Position: RB College: Troy Outlook: Moore arrives from I-AA powerhouse Troy State in hopes of landing on a WTF roster. Whether he’ll achieve his goal remains to be seen. He isn’t the quickest back and isn’t a good receiving option. Nor does he possess much power. As a bargain basement 4th round selection, Moore might provide good value. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 38 25 50 25 70 38 31 25 50 25 15 38 44 25 50 31 15 Tecmo Comparison: Ken Clark Name: Tim Lester Position: RB College: Eastern Kentucky Outlook: Lester is a bowling ball of a fullback. At only 5’9” he does not possess great size for his position but he is good at picking up blitzes and creating holes for the ball carrier. Does Lester provide an improvement to any WTF team? Time will tell. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 25 75 50 31 75 38 31 81 50 38 20 44 38 88 50 44 5 Tecmo Comparison: Barry Word Name: Mazio Royster Position: RB College: USC Outlook: Coming off a college career where he was the feature back for the USC Trojans, Royster did not perform well at the combines and his draft stock has taken a tumble. At this point it appears Royster is unlikely to find a home on a WTF roster depending on how the offseason shakes down. RS MS HP BC RC % 31 31 25 50 25 80 31 25 25 50 19 10 38 38 25 50 31 10 Tecmo Comparison: Bill Jones Name: Ostell Miles Position: RB College: Houston Outlook: Here’s the guy who ran the ball in the University of Houston’s Run and Shoot offense with David Klingler at the helm. Is Miles a solid back in his own right, or was he good in college as only the product of a successful system? Almost everyone believes that Miles’ game will not have a smooth transition to the pros. RS MS HP BC RC % 31 31 25 50 25 90 31 25 25 50 19 5 38 38 25 50 31 5 Tecmo Comparison: Kenneth Davis Name: Tommy Vardell Position: RB College: Stanford Outlook: “Touchdown Tommy,” as he became affectionately known as by the Cardinal faithful out at Stanford, is a between-the-tackles kind of runner who has a knack for finding paydirt. Some believe that Vardell will be a top of the line talent in the WTF. Most others concur that Vardell will have a hard time transitioning his game to the pros. The soft defenses in the Pac-10 may have had a tough time bringing down the bulky Vardell, but it’s doubtful that WTF defenses will have much trouble with Tommy. Still, Vardell’s high-end potential rivals nearly any RB in the league with a solid combination of power and speed. RS MS HP BC RC % 44 38 63 50 31 50 44 44 69 50 38 20 44 50 75 50 44 15 50 56 81 50 50 5 38 31 44 50 25 10 Tecmo Comparison: Sammie Smith with Ottis Anderson-like potential Name: Dexter McNabb Position: RB College: Florida Outlook: McNabb was a fullback in Steve Spurrier’s offense at Florida, and it’s likely that he’ll provide a similar role for a WTF team, should he make a roster. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 25 75 50 25 50 44 31 94 50 38 20 44 25 88 50 31 30 Tecmo Comparison: Ickey Woods Name: Scottie Graham Position: RB College: Ohio State Outlook: Nothing about Graham’s game suggests he’ll be a good enough WTF to be drafted. He’s kind of halfway between a RB and a FB and is not spectacular at either. RS MS HP BC RC % 38 31 50 50 25 50 38 38 56 50 31 30 31 25 44 50 25 20 Tecmo Comparison: John Stephens