Isaac Guerendo NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 221
School: Louisville via Wisconsin
Isaac Guerendo 2024 NFL Draft Profile, Team Fits
Isaac Guerendo is one of the more fun names in the 2024 NFL Draft. His absurd speed was on display at the combine, but he wasn’t on a lot of people’s radars ahead of time. The Indiana native originally committed to Wisconsin as a three-star recruit out of high school. Unfortunately, once there he was stuck behind Jonathon Taylor, who owned the majority of the backfield. In his first two seasons, he only touched the ball 13 times. Finally, in 2021 he was poised for a breakout. That is, until some teenager named Braelon Allen came in and ran through him and the rest of the conference.
Watch: Braelon Allen Film Study
Guerendo served as a backup for the Badgers in 2021 and 2022, working as a change of pace back as best in 2022. He was fairly efficient on his touches with six or more yards per carry in each year, but didn’t get the chance to show off his wheels. In 2023 he transferred to Louisville, where he was supposed to get his big shot. Instead, Jawhar Jordan from Syracuse transferred to the same team. It was another year of splitting work, but this time it was more of a 1a 1b type split.
Guerendo put up 1044 yards from scrimmage as a fifth year, and continued his trend of efficiency. He put up 6.8 yards per touch, and was second on the team in total yards. Out of eligibility, Guerendo declared for the 2024 NFL Draft without ever getting a real shot to run a backfield.
Strengths
- Checks all of the measurable boxes. Prototypical size, insane track speed, and good enough change of direction.
- Negligible wear on the tires, not overworked in college.
- Aggressive rushing style, he’s the hammer not the nail.
- Deep bag of rushing moves, spin and stiff arm both effective on tape.
- Played receiver in highschool, capable pass catcher who can be schemed touches.
Weaknesses
- Has homerun speed, but doesn’t turn it on all the time.
- Only good enough change of direction, won’t be cutting hard to disrupt the flow of second level defenders often.
- Slow to commit to reads, appears not confident in his own ability to follow blockers yet.
- There are two different rushers on film. One full of burst and agility, and one who can’t find the open hole. One is an NFL starter, one will ride the bench.
- Adequate at best pass blocker.
Pro Comparison: A Great Dane still learning where their paws are
Projected Draft Capital: Early Day Three (Round 4 or 5)
Team Fits: Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens
Last Word on Isaac Guerendo Draft Profile
Guerendo is going to need an extra year or two in the crockpot. The light hasn’t come on for him yet, but if it ever does he has all the tools to be a force to be reckoned with. His experience as a return man on special teams could keep him on an NFL roster for longer than other backs in this class, and with the new kickoff rules that could be a gold mine for a team. He’s a project with some serious upside.
Running Back One in the Class Film Study
Early Look at the 2025 Rookies
Main Photo Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
