Jahvid Best Scouting Report

Best began his career at Cal playing a limited role in 2007 (29 rushed 221 yards 2 TDs), but he exploded in his sophomore campaign. In a season for the ages, the 5-foot-11 back rushed for 1,580 yards, the second most total yarded in school history (J.J. Arrington's 2,018 effort in 2004 tops the list) with a whopping 8.1 yards per carry average -- topping the list of Oregon backs (with more than 150 carries). For good measure, he tied Arrington's record of 15 touchdowns, finishing the 2008 season with a MVP performance in the Emerald Bowl (186 yards-9.3 per carry-2 TDs). Best possess an excellent inside quickness that enables him to hit the holes in a hurry. He has a special talent for cutting back in traffic, and gets top speed (4.42) as quickly as any back in the country. Fast enough to get to the corner before the defender arrives, Best owns a second and even a third gear in the secondary. Able to break tackles on the outside, and elusive in space with shifty hips and the ability to shake off defenders. With good overall balance well after making a move or running through arm tackles, Best is a good receiver out of the backfield (16 catches for 221 in 2008) with natural hands. However, Best needs to be more physical at this point. He is a liability in pass protection; he tends to throw his shoulder instead of moving his feet to get in position for the block. Best needs to prove he can get the tough yards inside. Best is the most highly regarded running back prospect coming into this year. He has the combination of size (if he bulks up a bit) and speed NFL teams covet. He has first round talent and should be the second back selected after Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer. 3/3 Update: Best may have moved up to the top back in this class, overtaking Dwyer and C.J. Spiller, thanks to his impressive performance at the NFL Combine. Everybody thought Spiller would have the fastest 40 time, but it was Best who, if you will, bested him by running it in 4.35 seconds. His size and blocking are still a concern, but the same can be said for Spiller and it may just come down to who the NFL teams believe can stay healthy.