Ciatrick Fason

[Gunter504]

I live in Gainesville and have been to every gators game for the past two years. Fason is a hidden gem in this draft. The guy is a workhorse. He was the leading back in the SEC last year and that in itself should say enough. One concern is his speed, but I'm telling you right now...there is something special about this guy. He catches the ball very well out of the backfield. As a Cowboys fan, I think Fason would be a great asset to our team. This guy has talent and would be a HUGE compliment to Julius Jones. He will be a good starter in the NFL one day. He remind me of Eddie George in his younger days if that's any indication. WE NEED HIM!!!

[BrAinPaiNt]

I live in Gainesville and have been to every gators game for the past two years. Fason is a hidden gem in this draft. The guy is a workhorse. He was the leading back in the SEC last year and that in itself should say enough. One concern is his speed, but I'm telling you right now...there is something special about this guy. He catches the ball very well out of the backfield. As a Cowboys fan, I think Fason would be a great asset to our team. This guy has talent and would be a HUGE compliment to Julius Jones. He will be a good starter in the NFL one day. He remind me of Eddie George in his younger days if that's any indication. WE NEED HIM!!!


Well he is a guy they brought in to dallas.

[CaptainAmerica]

I was just getting ready to say I can't believe Fason is still on the board. I bet he comes off in the first couple of picks tomorrow. He's a very good back.

Dallas definitely needs another RB to take some wear and tear off JJ. Perhaps Sproles as a dave Megget type of back if Fason is gone.

[ghst187]

Fason or Barber would be a steal in the 4th for us...

[BrAinPaiNt]

Fason or Barber would be a steal in the 4th for us...


I like Barber as well.

[RCowboyFan]

I live in Gainesville and have been to every gators game for the past two years. Fason is a hidden gem in this draft. The guy is a workhorse. He was the leading back in the SEC last year and that in itself should say enough. One concern is his speed, but I'm telling you right now...there is something special about this guy. He catches the ball very well out of the backfield. As a Cowboys fan, I think Fason would be a great asset to our team. This guy has talent and would be a HUGE compliment to Julius Jones. He will be a good starter in the NFL one day. He remind me of Eddie George in his younger days if that's any indication. WE NEED HIM!!!


Yeah, I liked what I saw of Ciatrick Fason. I thought he would be 2nd rounder. Doesn't seem like he is one of those Combine guys, since his times were not that good from what I remember. But sure seemed like he runs faster on the field though.

Although there is Marion Barber, Darren Sporles that I like too.

[DanTanna]

Sproles can be used at multiple positions - more value overall but maybe not the best pure runningback.

[mullet]

I was just getting ready to say I can't believe Fason is still on the board. I bet he comes off in the first couple of picks tomorrow. He's a very good back.

Dallas definitely needs another RB to take some wear and tear off JJ. Perhaps Sproles as a dave Megget type of back if Fason is gone.

Fason is the guy I am rooting for.... hope he makes it 7 more picks.

[Gunter504]

That's the thing about Fason...his 40 time doesn't show his quickness. He is very elusive. It almost looks like he is running in slow motion or something but he always somehow manages to make people miss. The guy has heart and he will easily carry the ball 25-30 times a game. I can remember many instances where he carried the Gators on his back last year.

[CaptainAmerica]

That's the thing about Fason...his 40 time doesn't show his quickness. He is very elusive. It almost looks like he is running in slow motion or something but he always somehow manages to make people miss. The guy has heart and he will easily carry the ball 25-30 times a game. I can remember many instances where he carried the Gators on his back last year.


What kind of hands has he shown? That's a big thing with Parcells!

[Hollywood Henderson]

I was suprised he wasn't taken yet as well...
Decent size too!

[VThokie7]

I'd rather take Fason in the 4th, then wait on the free safety, more value at this point. One of the FS's in Butler, Fuller, or Considine should still be there. We have to get a back capaable of spelling JJ a few carries a game and stepping in for him if need be, Fason, Barber, and Houston are the ones I could see doing that, but I prefer Fason.

[Gunter504]

He's a solid reciever out of the backfield. He probably had around 400 yards receiving or so last year. I can recall him catching a game winner out of the backfield against LSU 2 years ago. I'm telling you...as far as a pure running back goes...he was the 4th best in the draft in my opinion. How Gore, Clarrett, Arrington and company were drafted ahead of him I'll never know. HIs workouts werent that good, but look at the guys stats over the last two years.

[Carlito]

Dallas definitely needs another RB to take some wear and tear off JJ. Perhaps Sproles as a dave Megget type of back if Fason is gone.


I agree, I could definitely see Parcells drafting a guy like Sproles as a Dave Megget type.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2005/sproles_darren

Darren Lee Sproles
Position: Running Back
College: Kansas State
Height: 5-6
Weight: 181
Hometown: Olathe, Kan.

Analysis | Injury Report | Agility | High School | Personal


OVERVIEW
One of the most prolific runners and all-purpose performers in college football history, Sproles rushed for a Kansas State career record 4,979 yards, a figure that ranks 11th all-time on the NCAA career rushing chart and third on the Big 12 Conference career record list. He also totaled a conference-record 6,812 all-purpose yards, which ranks sixth on the NCAA's career list.

In all, Sproles set 23 records while at Kansas State, including virtually every career, single-season and single-game mark for both rushing and all-purpose yards. He holds the KSU records for both career touchdowns (48) and career rushing touchdowns (45). Sproles totaled an incredible 24 career 100-yard rushing games, with five 200-yard rushing performances, and averaged 110.6 yards per game during his career.

Sproles possesses an incredible work ethic and was referred to as "Dudley Dooright" by quarterback Dylan Meier because he always seems to do the right thing. He is extremely quick in and out of the hole, causing The Sporting News to call him the Big 12's "fastest running back." Sproles also served two seasons as a player representative and his senior campaign as one of five team captains.

Selected an All-American by Student Sports Magazine as a senior at Olathe North High School, Sproles was the winner of the Thomas A. Simone Trophy, given to the top big-class football player in the Kansas City metro area. He was named Kansas Player of the Year by USA Today and the Kansas Hall of Fame Player of the Year. He was a member of the All-Class Kansas top-11 team and chosen the Kansas City Star Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000.

The two-time all-state, all-metro, All-Sunflower League selection started for two seasons and lettered for three. Sproles rushed for 2,485 yards in 2000, scoring 49 touchdowns. He led the 12-0 Eagles to their fourth Kansas 6A state title in five years. He also gained 2,031 yards in nine games as a junior and finished his career with 5,230 yards and 79 touchdowns, averaging nearly 8.4 yards per carry. He holds nearly every rushing record at Olathe North.

Sproles appeared in six games as a true freshman in 2001, missing the Oklahoma, Colorado and Texas Tech games with a fractured collarbone. He gained 210 yards with a touchdown on 28 runs (7.5 avg.). He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2002. Sproles broke eight individual school records during the course of that season, including rushing yards (1,465), rushing yards by a sophomore, 100-yard rushing games (10), consecutive 100-yard rushing games (nine), all-purpose yards (1,800), points by a sophomore (104) and rushing average per carry (6.18).

Sproles finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy with 134 votes (15 first place, 30 second and 29 third) and third in the Associated Press Player of the Year voting in 2003. He was runner-up for the Doak Walker Award and named the Big 12 Player of the Year by College Football News. Sproles led the nation in total rushing yards with a K-State single-season record 1,986 on 306 carries (6.5 avg.). He ranked third on the NCAA's rushing-yards-per-game chart at 132.4 and also led the nation in all-purpose yardage with a KSU record 2,735 yards (182.3 ypg.).

The Associated Press named Sproles first-team All-Big 12 in 2004. He finished the regular season ranked 11th nationally in rushing yards per game (119.82) and third in all-purpose yards per game (187.91). In addition to his 4,979 yards and 45 touchdowns on 815 carries (6.1 avg.), Sproles collected 609 yards and two scores on 66 receptions during his career. He also returned 40 punts for 378 yards (9.4 avg.) and a touchdown and had 35 kickoff returns for 846 yards (24.2 avg.).


ANALYSIS
Positives: Has a very short and compact build, but is naturally strong and shows good muscle definition, good bubble and thick thighs … Possesses above-average power and explosion coming off the snap … Does a very good job of finding the rush lanes and accelerating through the holes … Has excellent hip swerve, wiggle and balance to slip through tight creases … Despite his size, he has the strength, vision and cutback ability to drive hard for the inside yardage … His low center of gravity and leg drive allow him to break arm tackles … His lateral agility and body control will generally see the initial tackler miss when Sproles turns the corner … Has excellent agility to bounce outside to the perimeter when the holes are clogged … Instinctive setting up his blocks and has that second gear needed to elude in the open … Will lower his shoulder and fight for extra yardage … Has the vision to spot and beat angles … Rarely outruns his blockers and does a good job of spinning, sliding, jump cutting and keeping his feet when attacking the hole … Very effective route runner who can even line up in the slot … Crisp runner on flares and is a natural hands catcher … His natural running instincts are evident when he generates a sudden burst when hitting the seam … Shifty and elusive in the open, he demonstrates good ball security, holding on to the pigskin high and tight.

Negatives: Has a very small frame, but it packs impressive power … Can get rag-dolled by the larger defenders when he tries to pick up the blitz … Has good hands and runs decent routes, but the KSU system did not involve him in the passing game much … Does a good job of securing the ball, but has smaller than ideal hands … Poor intelligence test scores might indicate a problem digesting a complicated playbook … Good returner, but does not like to fair catch and needs to work behind his blocks better in this area (does show patience waiting for blocks to develop as a running back, though) … Seems to run out of gas late in games (overuse) and might be better served as a third-down back at the next level.


INJURY REPORT
2001 -- Did not play against Oklahoma, Colorado and Texas Tech after fracturing his collarbone in the New Mexico State clash.


AGILITY
CAMPUS: 4.48 in the 40-yard dash … 391-pound bench press … 818-pound safe squat … 319-pound power clean … 33-inch vertical jump … Right-handed. COMBINE: 4.49 in the 40-yard dash … 2.58 20-yard dash … 1.53 10-yard dash … 3.96 20-yard shuttle … 11.13 60-yard shuttle … 6.96 three-cone drill … 33-inch vertical jump … 8-foot-9 broad jump … Bench-pressed 225 pounds 23 times … 28¼-inch arm length … 8¼-inch hands.


HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Olathe (Kan.) North High School, playing football for coach Gene Weir.


PERSONAL
: Born June 20, 1983, in Waterloo, Iowa … Parents are Larry and the late Annette Sproles … Major is Communication Science.

[CaptainAmerica]

He's a solid reciever out of the backfield. He probably had around 400 yards receiving or so last year. I can recall him catching a game winner out of the backfield against LSU 2 years ago. I'm telling you...as far as a pure running back goes...he was the 4th best in the draft in my opinion. How Gore, Clarrett, Arrington and company were drafted ahead of him I'll never know. HIs workouts werent that good, but look at the guys stats over the last two years.

Hey, you don't have to convince me.

I watched him in the FSU game last year and was very, very impressed with him. He's got a quality about him that's hard to describe. I liked him a lot after that game. He was very impressive!!

[big dog cowboy]

I'm sure he is on BP's radar.