Senior Bowl week has arrived with four Oklahoma Sooners being represented on the National Team, coached by the Miami Dolphins staff. The four include Creed Humphrey, Adrian Ealy, Tre Brown, and Rhamondre Stevenson. There were no Sooners named to the American Team coached by the Carolina Panthers staff.
Rhamondre Stevenson at the Senior Bowl
Stevenson is an interesting name to watch during the week of festivities leading up to the Senior Bowl game on Saturday. Some thought that he might return to school given that he only participated in six games following his reinstatement from suspension.
In those six games, Stevenson averaged over 100 yards rushing and one touchdown per game. He finished with 665 yards and seven scores on 100 carries. The senior running back could have returned to the team under the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, Stevenson appeared in 13 games and carried the ball 64 times for 515 yards and eight touchdowns.
His load was increased this year due to the opt-out of Kennedy Brooks, who is set to return to the Sooners in 2021. Prior to Stevenson’s return, the team deployed the of T.J. Pledger, Seth McGowan, and Marcus Major. Pledger decided to transfer to Utah following the season.
Todd McShay listed Stevenson as a sleeper
McShay: It’s tough to be a sleeper when you play for Oklahoma, but running back Rhamondre Stevenson has gone under the radar. He took over as the starter for the Sooners this season after Trey Sermon transferred to Ohio State, and the big, 6-foot, 245-pound back showed off quick feet and pass-game versatility to rise up draft boards. I have Stevenson as a my No. 5 running back and inside the top 100 for the draft class, after he averaged 6.6 yards per tote and scored seven times on the ground in just six games. Stevenson could be a Day 2 pick. –McShay on Stevenson *
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Pro Football Network lists Stevenson as No. 2 running back at Senior Bowl
If you want a guy who is 240 pounds but moves like he is sub-200, Rhamondre Stevenson is your guy. He has sweet feet. Stevenson can make cuts and move laterally as few men can make at his size, making him dangerous. Not only can he manipulate linebackers thanks to that quickness, but in a phone booth, Stevenson can make them miss, too.
Stevenson is a good pass protector and showcases soft hands. There are some limitations with him. For example, his head seems to be in another place at times. He does not see the field as well as he should. Also, in space, Stevenson is not overly dynamic. He can break a tackle or two, but he becomes a big plodder. That makes Stevenson a possible third-down back, but someone better suited in a rotational, two-down role instead. – Nick Farabaugh on PFN