RUDI ALI JOHNSON
By: Dave-Te' Thomas

#32-RUDI ALI JOHNSON Auburn University Tigers 5:09.5-232

ANALYSIS
Positives... Compactly built runner with explosive initial quickness off the snap...Has superb lateral agility and cutback ability, much like Dallas' Emmitt Smith...Very aware on the field, showing the vision in the holes to elude defenders as he cuts back to the outside...Has that second gear needed to pick and slide to the outside when the middle is clogged...Power runner with the leg drive to move the pile...Runs at a good pad level, displaying the ability to hit the seam in an instant...Has the flexibility to separate from defenders after the initial hit...Stays low to the ground, squirming and driving for extra yardage...Sets up his blocks well, possessing spin and hurdle ability to get over the piles...Delivers a punishing stiff-arm and rarely ducks out of bounds.

Negatives... Not a potent blocker, lunging at defenders in pass protection...Lacks recognition skills to pick up the blitz...Poor route runner who seems to stumble trying to get into his routes...Has problems getting to the ball in the short area, especially when his back is to the quarterback...Needs to develop better arm extension going up for the pass...Hesitates when going towards the perimeter, preferring to gain the bulk of his yardage between the tackles. CAREER NOTES
Junior college sensation whose stay at Auburn was all-too-short, according to Tigers fans...Made a big push to re-write the school's record books in his only season with the team...Ran for 1567 yards on 324 carries (4.8 avg) with 13 touch-downs as a Tiger...His 324 attempts broke the old school season-record of 278 carries by Bo Jackson (1985) and his 1567 yards are surpassed only by Jackson's 1985 total of 1786 yards in school annals... Despite playing only one season at Auburn, he ranks fifth on the school's career-record list with ten 100-yard rushing performances while his 1567 yards rank 17th...His average of 130.58 yards per game rushing established a Tiger all-time record (minimum 300 carries), breaking the previous average of 113.2 yards by Jackson... Including his 1999 season at Butler Junior College, he's gained 3791 yards with 44 touchdowns on 630 carries (6.0 avg).

REMIND ME OF... Buffalo's Antowain Smith.

GAZING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL... Another year in school and he could have been a first rounder. While he has great lateral agility, he still needs to refine his running skills and lacks the sure hands you need in an every day back. Will look nice wearing a New England uniform. Look for him to go sometime late in the second round or early in the third.

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