Overview
Position: Running back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 228 pounds
School: Georgia Bulldogs
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.52 seconds
Bench press: 29 reps (tied for best among running backs)
Vertical jump: 38.5 inches (tied for fourth among running backs)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 8 inches (second among running backs)
Three-cone drill: 7.09 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.25 seconds
Nick Chubb 2018 NFL Draft Profile
When you think Georgia Bulldogs football over the past few years, the first player who comes to mind is likely Nick Chubb. The native of Cedartown, GA was among the most sought-after running back prospects of the 2014 recruiting class, receiving scholarship offers from most prominent Power Five programs. But Chubb decided to remain in-state and over the next four years established himself as one of the most prolific running backs in school history.
As a freshman, Chubb was the beneficiary of Todd Gurley missing most of the 2014 season due to an NCAA rules related suspension and later a season-ending knee injury. He finished 17th in the nation with 1,547 rushing yards, scoring 14 touchdowns in the process. For his efforts, both the SEC and Associated Press named Chubb their freshman of the year. In Georgia’s Belk Bowl victory against Louisville, he carried the ball 33 times for a conference bowl record 266 yards en route to game MVP honors.
One year later, Chubb dealt with a significant setback six games into the season. On the first play of scrimmage against Tennessee, he suffered a horrific knee injury that caused him to pass out on the sidelines. It ended a promising campaign considering he came into that game averaging 124.5 yards per game at 8.1 yards per carry. After recovering, Chubb began to form a dynamic one-two punch with fellow 2018 draft prospect Sony Michel in 2016. The two combined for 1,970 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in Kirby Smart‘s first year as head coach.
Chubb’s final season in Athens saw him and the team put it all together on a run that nearly resulted in a national title. He rushed for a career-high 15 touchdowns with only Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson finishing with more yardage on the ground among SEC running backs. In UGA’s Rose Bowl win over Oklahoma, Chubb tallied 145 rushing yards and found the end zone twice. For his career, Chubb’s 4,769 yards is second in both school and conference history behind Herschel Walker and ranks top 40 all-time.
Strengths
- decisive north-south runner who gets downhill in a hurry;
- powerful lower body which he utilizes well churning for yards after contact;
- has the vision to anticipate, diagnose and attack the gaps;
- patient and intelligent player who lets space develop on outside zone runs;
- ranks sixth among all draft-eligible running backs in Pro Football Focus’ elusive rating signature stat which measures the ability to create yardage on one’s own;
- a wealth of experience having started 40 games during his college career.
Weaknesses
- play speed doesn’t particularly jump out on tape;
- yardage comes more from spatial awareness than pure athleticism;
- relies more on finesse than on being a physical bruiser;
- will need to add a pass-catching element to his game;
- might not be an every-down back at the next level;
- ability to keep speed rushers off his quarterback is average;
- injury red flag in the form of a season-ending knee injury suffered as a sophomore.
NFL Comparison: Jonathan Stewart
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins
Projection: Second to third round
Bottom Line
A solid downhill runner who punishes arm tacklers, Chubb got starter reps in all four of his years in Athens. Though he lost half of one year to injury, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his other three. Those numbers aren’t just the result of solid offensive line play as his ability to elude defenders grades very highly. What holds him back are concerns over his athleticism and whether or not he can contribute to a team’s short and intermediate passing game. There are also question marks over whether he has the same level of explosiveness than he did before he tore up his knee. For that reason, he likely slides to day two of the draft. But in the right system, he certainly has the potential to develop into a regular starter at the next level.
