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+---- Thread: *Acura Skyline Last Minute DSFL Scouting Report (/showthread.php?tid=19797)
*Acura Skyline Last Minute DSFL Scouting Report - Skyline - 03-05-2020
COLLEGE SUMMARY
Skyline began his college career backing up the senior starter on UCLA's team, but quickly experienced an "I've arrived" moment when he rushed for 100 yards on 7 carries in his first game for the Bruins. Skyline took over as starter in his second game, and continued impressing all throughout his true rookie season by rushing for over 1000 yards. In his second year, Skyline continued to put up big numbers, but struggled with bone spurs in his left foot after only 4 games and spent the rest of the season recovering and rehabbing. Skyline has said in interviews that the hardest thing about rehab for him was not being able to help his team on the field, but he developed major leadership skills in the locker room and often served as a player coach, flashing a developed football IQ beyond just the blistering speed and agility that scouts had seen up to this point. In his third and final year, Skyline looked stronger than ever racking up 963 yards across his first six games, but unfortunately the season ended in disappointment. Skyline had his NCAA eligibility revoked when it was discovered that he was accepting money for autographs. Skyline decided not to even appeal his status revocation in an unprecedented move, and instead spent the rest of the school year campaigning for athletes to be able to earn money off of their own likenesses while playing in college and preparing for the DSFL draft. In September of 2019 California Governor Gavin Newsom passed the Fair Pay to Play Act, allowing athletes to profit off of their likenesses and rebuking the NCAA. Skyline is often credited as one of the activist athletes who brought attention to the issue.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Acura Skyline has a rare blend of speed and power. He has immense size in his legs and shows balance through contact. Skyline can throw a powerful stiff arm, and has the wheels to take it to the house after beating his defender. Very hard to tackle on an angle. He is a professional, decisive runner, and works hard to Press the line of scrimmage to set up cut-back runs. Skyline stays small through the hole, getting low with a good bend in his knees. His footwork is also impressive, and he uses quick, tight steps at an advanced level. Skyline can sink and explode into an oncoming tackler or side-step and jet, causing hesitation in downfield safeties. Skyline is always looking at the endzone and rarely looks to run out of bounds. In his first two college seasons, Skyline produced an amazing 63% percent of his rushing yardage after contact. He has strong hands and carries the ball tight to his body. Only four fumbles in almost 500 carries..
WEAKNESSES
Skyline missed 8 games in his sophomore season due to bone spurs in his left foot. Questions about whether this type of injury will flair up again are a real concern for teams. His hands are average, and he has a way to go to be even a viable option in the passing game. Skyline is still gaining feel for playing with a fullback. Skyline can be too locked into looking for cutback lanes when a reasonable hole is already available. Skyline can definitely get better at setting up his blockers when running in space. His creativity in tight quarters is average, and his tempo and patience as a runner will need to improve. A quick passing attack in college limited his protection opportunities but was nothing special at all when given a shot to run block.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Late second, early third. In a smaller draft class he would likely see more attention
NFL COMPARISON
Devonta Freeman
BOTTOM LINE
A look into his rehab work and Scouting Combine medicals will be extremely important for Skyline’s draft stock as teams assess his potential durability as an NSFL running back. The one blessing of his injuries and suspension is that he played less than 40% of his teams snaps over the past two years, and as such still has plenty of tread on the tires. Skyline has the talent to be a top five Running Back in the NSFL, but needs to show increased patience and a willingness to play within the flow of the game instead of running for the end zone at every opportunity.
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