LeSean McCoy

McCoy is an opportunist -- any opportunity he has to go to the end zone, he takes. In just 25 games as a Panther, he scored 36 times, including 35 rushing. He ranked second in the nation in scoring as a freshman (9.69 ppg) and eighth as a freshman (7.50 ppg). Along the way, he achieved his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2008, joining Tony Dorsett (1973-76) and Curvin Richards (1988-89) as the only players in Pittsburgh history to record multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. McCoy's 36 total touchdowns also helped him break the school, Big East Conference and NCAA record for most touchdowns produced by a player as a freshman and sophomore, topping the old mark of 34 scores by receiver Larry Fitzgerald (2002-03). His 35 touchdown runs also broke the freshman/sophomore combined record of 24 by Dorsett during the 1973-74 campaigns. McCoy enjoyed a heralded career at Harrisburg's Bishop McDevitt High School, where he went on to become one of the most prolific rushers in Pennsylvania history. He was twice named to the Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AAAA All-State first-team and was selected AP Class AAAA Player of the Year as a junior. He also received Super Prep, Prep Star and U.S. Army All-America honors, in addition to being rated the nation's 11th-best overall prospect by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report. McCoy entered his senior season on pace to break the state rushing record, but suffered a compound ankle fracture (right) in the season's fourth game. In just three-plus games that year, he rushed for 859 yards and 10 touchdowns on 83 carries (10.3 avg.). He finished his career as the state's ninth all-time leading rusher with 6,640 yards and 75 touchdowns. He was selected to play in the Big 33 Football Classic and the All-American Bowl, an All-Star game featuring the nation's top 80 high school players at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. He ultimately did not participate in those games due to his recovery from his injury. In 2006, McCoy enrolled at Milford Academy (N.Y.). He was rated the country's second-best prep school prospect by Scout and 10th-best by Rivals.com. He helped the team compile a 7-3 record, as he carried 77 times for 547 yards with four touchdowns (7.1 avg.). McCoy became an instant sensation upon his arrival at Pittsburgh in 2007. He was a unanimous Freshman All-American and named to the All-Big East Conference first team. The Big East Rookie of the Year led the nation's freshmen with an average of 110.67 yards per game rushing (ranked 21st overall). He set the Big East freshman rushing record with 1,328 yards on 276 carries (4.8 avg.) and 14 touchdowns. The first-year player also set Pittsburgh's freshman single-season records with 90 points scored and 15 total touchdowns, topping Dorsett's 1973 marks of 78 points and 13 scores. He pulled down 33 passes for 244 yards (7.4 avg.) and one touchdown, as he placed third in the league with an average of 131.0 all-purpose yards per game. As a sophomore, McCoy garnered All-America second-team and All-Big East first-team honors. A semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award (nation's top player) and Doak Walker Award (top running back), he produced 21 touchdowns on 308 rushing attempts for 1,488 yards (4.8 avg.). He snatched 32 passes for 305 yards (9.5 avg.) and finished third in the league with an average of 139.15 all-purpose yards per game. McCoy has been favorably compared to Pittsburgh's Hall of Fame tailback, Tony Dorsett, who recently stated, "This is the first player who has come along who truly reminds me of me."

positives

Fast enough to get the corner and owns a second and third gear in the secondary. Excellent inside quickness, hitting the hole in a hurry when in the one-back set. Gets to top speed as quickly as any back in the country. Special vision for the cutback and in traffic. Plants his foot and accelerates. Very elusive in space, with shifty hips and an ability to juke or shake off a defender. Maintains his balance well after making a move or running through arm tackles on the outside. Runs with a lean inside, will bounce off tackles and keep his legs moving. Patient enough to allow blocks to develop on stretch plays to the outside. Very natural hands as a receiver; will excel on swing and screen passes. Uses his quick feet to run crisp out routes. Ultra-competitive; works hard in the film and weight rooms. Wants the ball on every play.

compares to

WARRICK DUNN, ex-Tampa Bay -- Some scouts liken McCoy to Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, but he doesn't have the same patience in following blocks or the outside running skills the Steelers tailback brings to the table. McCoy is bigger than Dunn, but both have made a nice living off exploding through holes between the tackles. Both are also very effective as receivers coming out of the backfield. His acceleration is in the category with Dallas' Felix Jones, but he lacks the deceptive power the Cowboy possesses.

negatives

Doesn't have great size or the compact strength of elite backs. Must prove he can get the tough yard and not dance to try and break a big play when it's not there. Invites turnovers by running with the ball very loosely. Doesn't always switch the ball to the outside hand. Runs out of control at times. Some of those cutbacks will not work against the speed of NFL defenses. A liability in pass protection, throwing a shoulder instead of moving his feet to take on or even just get in the way of a rusher. Whiffs on his cut blocks against blitzing linebackers.

2005: Suffered a right ankle compound fracture early during his high school senior season, missing the final eight games. 2009: Could not perform at the NFL Combine due to a bout with the flu.

Campus: 4.52 in the 40-yard dash

1.54 10-yard dash

2.59 20-yard dash

4.23 20-yard shuttle

6.87 three-cone drill

29-inch vertical jump

8'11" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times. Combine: 31 1/4-inch arms.

8 7/8-inch hands.

Did not participate in positional drills or workout due flu symtomps.

Attended Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.) High School, playing football for head coach Jeff Weachter

Became one of the most prolific rushers in Pennsylvania history

Twice named to the Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AAAA All-State first-team

AP Class AAAA Player of the Year as a junior

Super Prep, Prep Star and U.S. Army All-American, in addition to being rated the nation's 11th-best overall prospect by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report

Entered his senior season on pace to break the state rushing record, but suffered a compound ankle fracture (right) in the season's fourth game

In just three-plus games that year, he rushed for 859 yards and 10 touchdowns on 83 carries (10.3 avg.)

Finished his career as the state's ninth all-time leading rusher with 6,640 yards and 75 touchdowns

Selected to play in the Big 33 Football Classic and the All-American Bowl, an All-Star game featuring the nation's top 80 high school players at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas, but ultimately did not participate in those games due to his recovery from his injury.

General Studies major, enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences

Older brother, LeRon, was a receiver for Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and spent two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2005-06) and one year with the San Francisco 49ers (2007) before signing with the Houston Texans in 2008

Son of Daphne and Ron McCoy

Born LeSean Kamel McCoy on 7/12/88

Resides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.