Tag: Hurdle

Darnell Washington goes to the Saints in 2023 NFL mock draft

The Saints picked the Georgia Bulldogs’ biggest playmaker in a recent 2023 mock draft: 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight end Darnell Washington

Tight end isn’t really a position of need for the New Orleans Saints, but it’s hard to not see the appeal in this 2023 draft prospect. Yahoo! Sports’ Charles McDonald has them selecting Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington in a recent mock draft — the national champions’ biggest playmaker. Literally: Washington looks every inch of his listed 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, towering over many of his opponents and teammates out on the field.

Here’s what McDonald said of the match at No. 41 overall:

“New Orleans found a nice receiving option at tight end in Juwan Johnson, but that shouldn’t stop them from adding someone as talented as Darnell Washington in the draft. Washington can block like an offensive lineman and has untapped receiving potential for the next level.”

Washington broke out during his 2022 junior season for Georgia, racking up 28 receptions for 454 receiving yards (ranking fourth and fifth on the team in each category). He moves incredibly well for someone of his stature with highlight plays going viral on social media throughout the season; most notably when he broke one Oregon Ducks defender’s tackle and then hurdled another one of them in the season kickoff back in September. He broke down the play during an appearance on the SEC Network while towering over former Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (who also hails from the Bulldogs’ program):

We’re waiting on word as to whether Washington will declare for the draft as an underclassman, but he’s an intriguing NFL prospect despite only having caught 3 touchdown passes in 27 games at the college level. Washington is known as a powerful run blocker (it’s what helped him start over LSU transfer Arik Gilbert this season), and he could be an upgrade over Adam Trautman as the Saints’ No. 2 tight end despite the veteran’s greater experience. The position is known for its steep learning curve, sure, but you never know. Trautman will be a free agent after the 2024 season so it might be a good move to draft his replacement.

And it would be fascinating to see Washington coexist with Juwan Johnson. The former Oregon wide receiver has successfully converted to tight end for New Orleans and is now hoping to cash in as a restricted free agent, having broken out in 2022 with his own impressive stat line (having caught 42 passes for 508 yards and a team-leading 7 touchdown receptions).

But the Saints have bigger fish to fry as things stand right now. Their focus this offseason needs to center on finding a franchise quarterback, a quality running back to pair with Alvin Kamara, upgraded options along the defensive, and improved depth across the board. Still, let’s not rule out Washington just yet.

[mm-video type=video id=01gpedhbhf0dk6qsysvm playlist_id=01eqbyhwtgq69krjzq player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gpedhbhf0dk6qsysvm/01gpedhbhf0dk6qsysvm-8caa81a430ffe0d179aadee836267da7.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=120617]

Jake Ferguson’s hurdle over Giants defender catapults Cowboys rookie into spotlight

The rookie’s Thanksgiving hurdle highlight was pure instinct. The locker room loved it but would like him to stay on the ground from now on. | From @ToddBrock24f7

As a four-year player at Wisconsin and the grandson of legendary Badgers ex-coach Barry Alvarez, Jake Ferguson has no doubt participated a time or two in the school’s wildly popular “Jump Around” game day tradition.

In just his 11th game with the Cowboys, the tight end proved before a record-setting nationwide audience that he can still get up. But hopefully fans enjoyed it, because it may not happen again.

Ferguson turned in one of the more memorable moments of the Cowboys’ 28-20 Thanksgiving Day victory over the New York Giants on a fourth-quarter play that started with a leaping fingertip grab and only got better from there.

Before it was all over, Ferguson had picked up a first down, gained 30 yards, and absolutely trucked Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams. But it was the full-body hurdle of six-foot-tall safety Jason Pinnock that had everyone talking about the fourth-round rookie’s obvious athleticism.

Jump around, indeed… although Ferguson admitted that the move was pure instinct and that he hadn’t tried it on a football field before.

“Never,” he told reporters after the game Thursday. “Cleared somebody? Never.”

The hurdle helped Ferguson notch the team’s longest play from scrimmage on Thursday and was the longest reception of his young but promising career.

His Dallas teammates and coaches were plenty impressed, even if they hope it was a one-time demonstration.

“I was just teasing him in the locker room,” head coach Mike McCarthy said in his postgame press conference. “I had a great view of it. I said the only reason why he didn’t try to jump over the second guy is because he was so damn tired from jumping over the first guy. But yeah, you can get away with that once or twice. He needs to drop his pads more.”

“I loved it,” wideout CeeDee Lamb raved. “I loved it, I loved it. Don’t get me wrong: he’s got to stay on the ground. My man just messed up his knee; he’ll be all right. But good play by him.”

Ferguson’s hurdle did come after a scare with an apparent left knee injury suffered earlier in the game. The rookie’s been dealing with a knee issue for most of the season, though it hasn’t caused him to miss any games thus far.

The 23-year-old stepped in and saw extensive time, in fact, in Weeks 3 and 6 as franchise-tagged starter Dalton Schultz nursed injuries of his own. But the rookie has fit right in, both on and off the field, as one-quarter of a talented and energetic tight ends room that saw them all combine for a clever Whac-A-Mole celebration after Peyton Hendershot’s touchdown versus the Giants.

“We have to keep getting those guys involved,” quarterback Dak Prescott said of the position group that also includes Sean McKeon. “It was fun to see them get that Whac-A-Mole. I think that just speaks on the personality of the room and how much fun they are having, enjoying their jobs.”

For the tight ends themselves, it’s all about having fun and making contributions. Ferguson, Schultz, and Hendershot are among the seven Cowboys who have logged double-digit receptions this year. All three have been on the field for over 30% of the offense’s snaps. And Ferguson’s two scoring catches have him tied for second on the team.

“You can’t have enough six-four, 250-pound men on your football team,” McCarthy explained. “I’m a big fan of the tight end position. Frankly, next to the quarterback, it’s the most demanding position as far as job responsibility. There’s involvement in the run, the protection, and the pass. It’s been very useful for us this past month.”

But Schultz says within the group, it’s more about their relationships with each other than competition against each other. (Case in point: Whac-A-Mole was Ferguson’s idea, to be executed no matter which of the four tight ends actually scored on the play.)

“That’s what it is. It helps set the tempo in our room. Our meetings are always engaging, always fun. We’re always learning something new. We have a group that complements each other’s skillset really well. To come out and have the production like we did today,” Schultz said Thursday, “that was awesome.”

The Cowboys tight ends will look to build on that production down the home stretch of the season… though Ferguson says he’ll likely look to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground, even after one giant- but unexpected- leap for tight endkind.

“That will probably be the last time I jump this year, because now guys will be going high, and it sets people up a little bit. But I don’t really know how to explain that one.”

[listicle id=706090]

[listicle id=705486]

[vertical-gallery id=705955]

[lawrence-newsletter]

LOOK: Twitter reacts to Najee Harris hurdling a defender for a TD

Najee Harris hurdles a defender for a TD… nothing new for the Alabama product.

Former Alabama running back Najee Harris was a wildly athletic player in college and that athleticism directly translated to the NFL. The 2021 first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers is still performing impressive moves to help his team.

In a matchup at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, went on a 20-yard touchdown run, but earning those six points was no easy task. Close to the goal line, Harris was met by a Bengals defender who tried to tackle him and prevent the touchdown.

The thing about Harris is, defenders can be evaded via the air.

While at Alabama, Harris had a handful of headline-worthy hurdles. That trend continues at the professional level and Twitter went wild for it.

Here’s what fans are saying about Najee Harris’s hurdle for a touchdown.

‘I’ll bet he jumps a guy’: Cowboys’ Prescott knew Ezekiel Elliott would provide highlight

Elliott saved his best for late in the game, leaping a defender and scoring twice to beat Detroit, all after taking a scary hit to his knee. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Nervous moments early followed by a gritty performance, late success, and ultimately, a happy ending.

That’s the story of the Cowboys’ 24-6 win over Detroit in Week 7, but it’s also the story of just another Sunday for Ezekiel Elijah Elliott.

The Cowboys running back turned in another strong showing on a day when all eyes were on the return of Dak Prescott to the Dallas passing attack. Elliott ended the afternoon with just 57 yards on 15 carries and wasn’t involved in the air game at all.

But his two one-yard scores were gigantic. The first, in the third quarter, reclaimed a lead for Dallas that they never relinquished. The second served as the kill shot, putting the Cowboys up by 11 with under three minutes to play.

It was the first time Elliott’s rushed for multiple touchdowns in a single game since Week 10 of last season, and it moved him into a tie with Jason Witten (5th place in franchise history) for the most career touchdowns from scrimmage.

But the play that most will remember from Sunday’s win is Elliott’s running leap over a defender on an 18-yard gain. It’s a move that Cowboys fans have seen numerous times, though the former high school hurdles champ hadn’t broken it out in a while.

“He actually was practicing the hurdle in practice,” Prescott told reporters from the podium after the win. “He didn’t jump over him, but he did the whole slow-feet stutter, and I’m like, ‘I’ll bet he jumps a guy this week,’ and sure enough, it just happened.”

What made the move even more impressive was that Elliott seemed lucky to still be running at all at that point in the game. Earlier, in the second quarter, he took a scary-looking hit to the knee on a 14-yard pickup just before halftime.

It looked bad, but Elliott was able to return to action and seemed no worse for the wear. His first half stats: seven carries for 28 yards. Then, eight carries for 29 yards- and the two touchdowns- after the hit to his knee.

“I think I got a contusion on it,” Elliott said afterward. “Still need to go back there and talk to the trainers.”

Elliott’s right knee was a problem for most of last season, too, after he suffered a partial PCL tear in Week 4 and played on it for the rest of the year. He came back in the offseason ready to show that he hadn’t lost a step, and his quarterback took notice early on.

“That shows his toughness,” Prescott reflected. “When he got himself better and got himself healthy, I saw it in the spring, just the bounce in his step, the way he’s moving, the cuts he’s made. Even when he got hurt, that’s a guy trying to cut back in and make a play that he knows he can make. He’s impressive, just his approach each and every day, the way he goes about it.”

The result was the latest chapter in what’s become a familiar story for the two-time rushing king: generally fewer attempts than he was getting earlier in his career, and for more modest yardage totals- he hasn’t topped 100 in over a calendar year- but now acting as a battering ram meant to wear opposing defenses down over a sixty-minute span.

“I think that’s kind of how the year’s been,” Elliott told media members. “It’s been grinding, tough games. It’s the NFL; you’re not going to have any gimmes.”

The hard hits will happen, the scary moments just a part of the game for a punishing, physical runner like Elliott. But his warrior mentality allows him to soldier on.

And sometimes, even end up being the (slightly-hobbled) hero.

“He’s relentless,” Prescott said. “When I saw the play, I thought it was a little ugly. I’m like, ‘I hope he’s fine.’ Ran over to the sideline; he said he’ll be good, and it wasn’t too long before he was jumping a guy. That’s Zeke for you.”

[listicle id=704447]

[vertical-gallery id=704456]

[listicle id=704570]

[lawrence-newsletter]

WATCH: Najee Harris can’t stop hurdling people on the field

Najee Harris makes the NFL his playground

After an outstanding rookie season, running back Najee Harris looks to take a leap in Year 2 and lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to their first playoff victory in a handful of years. Najee will be the pillar of the Steelers’ offense as either rookie Kenny Pickett or free agent Mitch Trubisky is going to take over at  quarterback, replacing the retired Ben Roethlisberger.

Harris has always been an exceptional athlete, and he continues to do Najee Harris things: Jumping over fully-grown adults on the football field. Harris made the hurdle his signature move during his time with the Crimson Tide in college, and he continues to do it against NFL veterans.

In his rookie campaign, Harris posted 307 carries for 1200 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. He was also a huge threat in the air with 74 catches for 467 yards and three scores.

[mm-video type=video id=01gbdxn8k8kktgfvryk6 playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gbdxn8k8kktgfvryk6/01gbdxn8k8kktgfvryk6-b094fd089726629af55c6a8d5c106c35.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=55112]

[lawrence-related id=55075]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Twitter reacts to Najee Harris’ impressive Rose Bowl performance

Alabama running back Najee Harris is putting on a show in the 2020 Rose Bowl against Notre Dame, and the internet is taking notice. Whether it’s his swift moves, downhill style of running or his ability to literally jump over grown men, it’s hard …

Alabama running back Najee Harris is putting on a show in the 2020 Rose Bowl against Notre Dame, and the internet is taking notice.

Whether it’s his swift moves, downhill style of running or his ability to literally jump over grown men, it’s hard not to be impressed by what he does.

With the Crimson Tide leading the Fighting Irish 21-7 at the half, Harris has carried the ball seven times for 93 yards.

While he has not yet reached 100 yards, nor has he made his way into the end zone, viewers are still in awe of his abilities.

Here’s what Twitter had to say about the running back’s performance at the half:

 

 

WATCH: Najee Harris hurdles defender to set up Alabama touchdown

Najee Harris got up in this hurdle to extend a 53-yard run that helped set up an alabama touchdown to put the Crimson Tide up 14-0.

Alabama running back Najee Harris finished fifth in the Heisman voting and is a finalist for the Doak Walker award, but he may have made Heisman voters regret their decision.

Harris took a handoff 53 yards to help set up a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jahleel Billingsley.

The 53-yard run was almost cut short, but Harris jumped over the defender.

Olympic steeplechase runners don’t jump as high as Harris had to clear against this defender.

Alabama leads Notre Dame 14-0 with time left in the first quarter.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things that happen in the 2020 Rose Bowl College Football Playoff Semi-final game.