Rakeem Boyd 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 213 lbs.
School: University of Arkansas
Rakeem Boyd 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Overview
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Boyd attended Stratford High School. In his high school career, Boyd rushed for 6,436 yards with 80 touchdowns. He is ranked as a four-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals and ranked as the third overall JUCO running back in the U.S. by 247Sports. ESPN ranks Boyd in the top 300 for recruits and Rivals ranks him as the eighth-best running back. He received Offensive MVP honors for 35 carries of 215 yards with three touchdowns in the Midwest Classic Bowl.
As a junior, he was named the District 19-5A Co-MVP and as a senior, was named the District 19-5A Overall MVP. Boyd received First-Team All-State Honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association and First-Team All-District Honors and an Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention as well. Boyd enrolled at Texas A&M University for a year before transferring to Independence Community College where he went for 1,221 yards with 14 touchdowns. After a year he transferred to the University of Arkansas.
In his sophomore year, Boyd recorded 123 carries for 734 yards, two touchdowns, and had 23 receptions of 165 yards. The Little Rock Touchdown Club named him the Darren McFadden Running Back of the Year. He had a team-best 123 attempts for 734 yards and led the team in all-purpose yards with 899. Boyd was ranked #13 in the Conference for rushing yards and 10th in yards per carry. He is the first Arkansas Razorback since Darren McFadden to post 100+ yards against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Boyd is also the first Razorback since Rawleigh Williams III to have 100 yards rushing in consecutive games.
In his junior year, Boyd had 184 carries for 1,133 yards with eight touchdowns and 19 receptions 0f 160 yards. He was the Razorbacks leading rusher for the second consecutive year. He also was the first Razorback since Rawleigh Williams III to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Boyd received Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and Doak Walker Award Watch List Honors. During his senior year, Boyd completed 82 carries of 309 yards with three touchdowns. and 10 receptions of 33 yards. He was nominated to the Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, and Campbell Award watchlists, as well as being a Senior Rose Bowl Top 250 honoree.
Strengths
- Is patient in allowing holes to open;
- An accurate route runner;
- Has a good handle on the football when rushing;
- Competitive and doesn’t give up on drives;
- A good power runner up the field.
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t work to avoid or elude defenders;
- Straight-line runner;
- Lacks finesse and creativity in the run game;
- Lacks explosiveness;
- Has had multiple drops as a pass-catcher.
Player Comparison: Trayveon Williams
Teams With Need At Position: Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Fifth Round
Bottom Line on Rakeem Boyd
After coming off a less than successful 2020 campaign, Boyd’s draft stock may suffer. He is a power runner that has average to below-average receiving hands. The best usage for him will be as a role player in a #3 or #4 running role that can effectively utilize his straight-line power speed capability.
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