T.J. Yeldon

A five-star running back recruit out of high school, Timothy "T.J." Yeldon was courted by every major program in the country, verbally committing to Auburn prior to his senior season. However, he switched allegiances to Alabama when Gus Malzahn left his post as Tigers' offensive coordinator. Although he was Eddie Lacy's back-up as a true freshman, Yeldon saw considerable playing time with 1,108 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 175 carries, earning Freshman All-American honors as the only freshman in school history to eclipse 1,000-rushing yards. He became the Crimson Tide starter as a sophomore in 2013 and had his most productive season with 1,235 rushing yards and 14 rushing scores on 207 carries, earning First Team All-SEC honors. Yeldon started 10 games as a junior in 2014 and battled a few injuries, rushing for his lowest average (5.0 yards per carry) with 979 yards and 11 touchdowns on 194 carries, earning Second Team All-SEC honors. With one year left in Tuscaloosa, he decided to enter the 2015 NFL Draft.

in our view

A ballcarrier with natural ability to do things most athletes can't, Yeldon is "Mr. Smooth" with his agility and movement skills (almost like he floats), making defenders miss all over the field with his shifty feet and redirection ability. He tends to hesitate a tick too long at times and needs to be more decisive instead of waiting for plays to develop, taking too much time reading blocks and defenders - the NFL has too much speed for him to get away with this (just ask Trent Richardson). Although he is capable of running between the tackles, Yeldon is much better in space and at the second level, projecting best as a complimentary weapon on offense with his promise as a pass catcher and pass protector - well-equipped to make an immediate impact for a running back-by-committee system as a glorified third down option.

taller than ideal with a lean torso and overall build, lacking an ideal body type for the position...run style is too upright and needs to improve his pad level...too reactionary and patient and needs to improve his recognition and decisiveness once he gets the ball...takes too much time reading blocks and needs to sense holes quicker to attack with authority - questionable vision and inside run instincts.

Not a pile mover and can be taken down by arm tackles at times...lacks elite speed and doesn't have multiple gears to run away from defenders or consistently win the edge...squares well in pass protection, but doesn't consistently play with the leverage, anchor or aggression necessary...improved ball security, but still has room for improvement - 10 fumbles in his three-year career (fumbled once every 62.2 offensive touches)...doesn't have experience as a return man...has dealt with several nagging injuries, including hamstring and ankle issues in 2014.

strengths

Smooth lateral movements and makes it look easy stringing together various moves...terrific lower body burst and coordination, using elusive cuts and subtle footwork to be shifty in the open field - awesome stutter-and-go with a strong plant foot to accelerate out of cuts...always balanced with his nimble feet underneath him to stay upright through contact...patient to maneuver through traffic close to the line of scrimmage.

has some deceiving power and won't avoid contact, shaking off defenders without losing momentum or forward lean...toughs out injuries, often playing through pain...natural pass-catcher with beautiful body control, soft hands and smooth routes, often splitting out wide as a receiver...won't shy in pass protection, squaring up with better take-on strength and blitz recognition than expected...reliable football character and work ethic with a likeable, soft-spoken personality...consistent production all three seasons in tuscaloosa, leaving alabama with 3,322 career rushing yards, which ranks no. 4 on the school's all-time list.

WEAKNESSES

Mr. Football in the state of Alabama by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and a first-team All-State selection by the ASWA

second-team USA Today High School All-American

a five-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247sports.com

the country's No. 1 running back by 247sports.com and the No. 2 player in the state of Alabama

also 247sports.com's 13th overall player in the Top 247

the No. 2 running back according to Rivals.com and the site's No. 12 in the Rivals100 and the No. 2 player in the state

ESPNU lists him with four stars and ranks him as the No. 4 running back

is No. 55 in the ESPNU 150

is 28th in the ESPNU Southeast Top 100 and the No. 4 player in Alabama

Scout.com rates Yeldon with four stars and the No. 8 running back

SuperPrep All-American and the nation's No. 6 running back

ranks 29th in SuperPrep's Elite 50 and No. 2 player in the state

No. 55 on the PrepStar Dream Team. PrepStar All-American and All-Southeast Region choice

PrepStar's No. 8 running back

No. 2 in the Mobile Press-Register's Elite 18 and No. 5 in the Super Southeast 120

No. 2 on the Birmingham News Super Seniors list

selected to the Orlando Sentinel's All-Southern team

rushed for an astounding 2,193 yards on 232 carries and scored 31 touchdowns in 2011, averaging 9.5 yards per carry

also caught 19 passes for 506 yards and a score

totaled 1,112 yards and 18 scores on the ground as a junior in 2010 while also catching a career-best 34 passes for 504 yards and five touchdowns

had 1,121 yards on 201 carries as a sophomore with 34 catches for 361 yards and one TD

rushed for 227 yards and one score while hauling in 131 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air

finished his high school career with 4,653 yards on the ground with 65 rushing touchdowns while accounting for 1,502 receiving yards and eight scores

accumulated 6,155 yards from scrimmage in four years with 73 touchdowns

coached by Glenn Vickery at Daphne High School where they won the 2010 Alabama 6A State Championship

chose Alabama over Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and Clemson.