Tag: Isaiah Davis

Jets select South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis at pick No. 173

Jets select South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis at pick No. 173

The Jets took a second running back in this draft (and fifth offensive player in five picks), selecting Isaiah Davis of South Dakota State at pick No. 173.

Davis averaged about 1,500 yards over the last two seasons for the Jackrabbits and across his four-year career, rushed for 4,548 yards on 676 attempts (6.7 yards per carry) with 50 rushing touchdowns (18 in 2023). The Jackrabbits won the FCS national championship each of the last two seasons.

Davis is another back with good size in this draft for the Jets, following Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen. Davis checked in at 6-0 and 220 pounds at his Pro Day. He is a strong runner and could help the Jets on early downs. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler compared Davis to Alexander Mattison.

It will certainly be a bit of a learning curve for Davis, going from the FCS to the NFL. But being in a running back room with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen will help make that learning curve smoother.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 50, SDSU RB Isaiah Davis

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

During the past two NFL drafts, Brian Gutekunst has turned to the FCS level for offensive talent. In the 2022 draft, Green Bay’s general manager traded up in the second round to snag North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson. During last year’s draft, Gutekunst selected South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft in the third round.

Isaiah Davis is an FCS offensive player who the Packers could target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. The SDSU running back checks in at No. 50 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. 

A Missouri native, Davis rushed for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2020 campaign. The following season he rushed for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. 

During SDSU’s national championship season in 2022, Davis rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns. Davis helped the Jackrabbits repeat this past season when he rushed for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns.

“He was extremely productive,” Robbie Rouse, the SDSU running backs coach, said. “The offense ran through him.”

Davis is a battering ram between the tackles. He’s a hard-nosed runner, who is tough to get to the ground. He drives through arm tackles and looks to dish out punishment on any defender who stands in his way.

Davis has a strong lower half and keeps his feet driving at contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis picked up 936 yards after contact and forced 80 missed tackles. 

“Davis is very powerful and strong,” Rouse said. “He has a willingness not to go down easily. His feet are so nifty that doesn’t allow defenders to get clean shots on him.”

Davis has a good feel for the zone and runs with good tempo. The former Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year has quick feet and scoots through the hole with burst, showcasing the necessary vision to excel at the next level. 

“His greatest strength is his feet,” Rouse said. “You typically don’t see feet like that on bigger backs. His contact balance and his vision are very elite as well.”

Over the past two seasons, Davis recorded 44 receptions for 372 yards and one touchdown. He’s a dependable target out of the backfield, with large hands. It’s part of his game that could take off at the next level. 

“This is what I was most impressed by when I first started coaching here,” Rouse said. Davis runs good routes and has very soft hands.”

Davis brings a semblance of special teams value. He has limited experience returning kicks (seven) and punts (three). 

Fit with the Packers

Davis was extremely productive over the past two seasons for the Jackrabbits and played a pivotal role in helping SDSU win back-to-back National Championships. 

The Jackrabbit running back is a well-put-together running back, who is capable of picking up the tough yards between the tackles, but also capable of ripping off chunk plays due to his hard-charging running style. This past season, Davis recorded 54 runs of 10-plus yards and 25 runs of 15-plus yards. 

“Davis checks off all the boxes,” Rouse said. “He is a great young man on and off the field. When you combine that with elite talent, you have a special player on your hands.”

With Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon on the roster, Davis wouldn’t necessarily provide a different look for defenses. Having said that, Dillon is back on a one-year deal. His presence likely won’t stop the Packers from adding a talented back like Davis. 

The Packers have six picks on Day 3 and one of those picks could be spent on the well-rounded SDSU running back. 

Vikings 2024 7 round mock draft 6.0: Trading Justin Jefferson for QB of the future

What would a Minnesota Vikings 7 round mock draft if they traded Justin Jefferson to the New England Patriots to get third overall? Tyler Forness explores the wild possibility.

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of different ways they can go in the NFL draft. There will be some discussion on what needs are most important but the Vikings can address most of them through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Each week throughout the leadup to the NFL draft, I will be doing different seven-round mock drafts for the Vikings as a way to explore different scenarios. You never know who might fall to you and how that could cause a ripple effect and being ready for those situations is paramount come draft weekend.

In the second rendition of our seven-round mock draft series, what could a draft look like that has the Vikings trading Justin Jefferson to get the quarterback of the future at third overall?

Mock Draft 1.0
Mock Draft 2.0
Mock Draft 3.0
Mock Draft 4.0
Mock Draft 5.0

2024 Senior Bowl: Notable weights and measurements from the weigh-ins

2024 Senior Bowl: Notable weights and measurements from the weigh-ins with notes on Brandon Dorlus, Jacob Cowing, small CBs, heavy RBs and more

The practices for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl kick off on Tuesday morning. However, the players who will make up the American and National teams got their official measurements on Monday.

There are a few noteworthy developments from the weigh-ins, which were closed to the media. Here are some prospects who stood out in one way or another.

List of running backs at 2024 Senior Bowl

A quick list of the running backs in Mobile this week for the Senior Bowl.

Rolling on with taking a look at who will be in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl — a game in which Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be a head coach — here are the running backs that will take part this week.

Coaching the running backs in Mobile will be Cardinals running backs coach Autry Denson and Jamel Mutunga, who spent last season coaching the running backs for the Panthers.

Running back could be a spot the Jets look at late as they look for help behind Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda. This looks like an interesting group in Mobile, including one of the stars of Missouri’s surprise run to a win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

10 players to watch on Reese’s Senior Bowl National team’s offense

The Reese’s Senior Bowl starts practice on Tuesday, January 30th. These players on the National team’s offense are worth watching.

One of the most important events on the National Football League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the conference championship games, it is the true beginning of the NFL draft cycle.

Not only do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in one place competing against each other, but it’s also an opportunity for analysts and personnel alike to get together and have discussions about a number of topics.

As we look forward to this year’s Senior Bowl, managing editor Tyler Forness will be there in person to break everything down.

During the week, these 10 players on the National Team’s offense are worth keeping your eye on.

Shrine Bowl announces some exciting early commitments

The East-West Shrine Bowl has announced some intriguing 2024 NFL draft prospect commitments for the classic all-star game

The first few commitments for the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl are starting to get out. The postseason all-star game is attracting some exciting prospects to the week of practices and the Shrine Bowl game, which has moved to the Dallas Cowboys training complex in Frisco, Texas for the first time.

One of my personal favorites is Boston College IOL Christian Mahogany. The intense competitor is one of the best on-the-move blockers in the draft class. Mahogany is in the Wyatt Teller mold of physical guard and could be a late Day 2 pick. He’s currently my No. 63 overall player.

One of the top candidates for the fastest player in the draft has also committed. TCU safety Mark Perry, a former Pac-12 100m sprint champion at Colorado while also playing football, can absolutely fly to the point of attack. Perry is a productive tackler who aggressively attacks the run and short passes, and is generally regarded as a late-round prospect at this point.

Looking for a Day 3 sleeper at center? Kingsley Eguakun from Florida is a good one. Eguakun has NFL-ready skills in the pivot, but he’s been out of the scouting spotlight because he missed most of 2023 with an injury. He’s ready to roll in the Shrine Bowl and could be one of the biggest risers of the practice week.

Finally, South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis figures to be one of the top FCS-level prospects in the draft. I haven’t seen Davis yet in 2023, but he made quite an impression in the 2022 FCS playoffs with his ability to run through tackles and balance after contact. At 220 pounds, Davis is a load to try and tackle in space and he’s shown he can catch the ball out of the backfield, too.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits return talented offensive core that could have scouts flocking to Brookings

South Dakota State won the FCS championship in 2022 and have some viable NFL prospects returning to Brookings for 2023

The South Dakota State University Jackrabbits will begin their title defense on Thursday in Brookings against Western Oregon.

It will also mark the first game for head coach Jimmy Rogers. Last year’s defensive coordinator takes over for John Stiegelmeier and will benefit from a strong core of offensive players returning from last year’s championship team.

This past April, the Jackrabbits had one offensive player selected from the National Championship team. When the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around the Jackrabbits could have up to six offensive players hear their names get called during draft weekend.

Isaiah Davis, RB

During his first season as a full-time starter, Davis rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s a well-built running back who refuses to go down on initial contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis racked up 938 yards after contact. The former Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year showcases good vision and scoots through the hole with outstanding burst.

Jaxon Janke, WR

The Madison, South Dakota native is a detailed route runner. Janke has vice grips for hands, only dropping one pass last season on 88 targets. The SDSU wide receiver has hauled in 132 receptions for 2,033 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Along with what he brings to the table on offense, Janke brings special teams value as a return specialist. He enters his final season at Brookings with a 12.2 punt return average and one punt return touchdown.

Jadon Janke, WR

Janke, like his twin brother, is going to be a fan-favorite of special teams coordinators. He brings value as a return specialist and has also played on punt and kickoff coverage units. During his career at Brookings, he’s averaged 11.4 yards per punt return, with one touchdown and 19.3 yards per kick return. He has strong hands, with a little wiggle after the catch. 

Zach Heins, TE

Heins is nowhere near the same level of athlete as his former running mate, Tucker Kraft. What he lacks in pure athleticism, he makes up for with his size (6-7, 260). He’s strong at the point of attack as a blocker and does an adequate job of keeping his legs driving to drive defenders downfield. He finished last season with career highs in receptions (29) and yards (347) to go along with four touchdowns. With Kraft no longer in the picture, SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski could look to target his big-bodied tight end over the middle of the field more frequently this fall.

Garrett Greenfield, OT

Greenfield enters his final season at SDSU with 24 career starts at right tackle and 16 at left tackle, starting 15 games at left tackle last season. The 30-game starter has light feet as a pass blocker and showcases the lateral quickness to mirror edge rushers. He has the easy athleticism to climb to the second level without laboring. After giving up two sacks against Iowa and UC Davis to start last season, Greenfield gave up zero sacks and just eight pressures during the final 13 games. 

Mason McCormick, OL

Maybe one of the most seasoned interior linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCormick has started 42 games at left guard for the Jackrabbits. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native is smooth in pass protection and has strong hands. He showcases good quickness and erases defenders at the second level.

 

Iowa Football week 1 opponent offense outlook: South Dakota State Jackrabbits

The Hawkeyes host South Dakota State in week one. Here is an offensive outlook for what the Jackrabbits will try to do and who to watch.

Welcome to week one! The 2022 college football season is finally upon us and it kicks off for the Iowa Hawkeyes as they host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

There is no shortage of hype surrounding the Jackrabbits as we enter the season. They advanced to the semifinals last year in the FCS playoffs. They get their quarterback, Mark Gronowski, back from injury. They return their top target at wide receiver and they have a proven running back. Let’s get into our outlook of the Jackrabbits’ offense.

The Jackrabbits averaged 36 points per game last season to go along with 212 yards rushing per game and 229 yards passing per game. They are balanced and they do what they do very well. Managing the game is an area they also did well in. They averaged over 31 minutes in time of possession, which would have been good enough to be in the top-30 in FBS in that statistical category.

Mark Gronowski, QB

Mark Gronowski retakes his spot at the helm of the offense after missing last season due to injury. During his 10-game campaign in the 2020 season, he was a dangerous dual-threat quarterback with 1,565 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air to go with 577 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns. Gronowski can hurt a defense both ways.

Jaxon Janke, WR

The top receiver for the Jackrabbits, Jaxon Janke, is also returning. The senior exploded last year posting a stat-line of 72 catches for 1,176 yards and five touchdowns. He is expected to be Gronowski’s No. 1 target this fall. With 16.3 yards per catch, Janke can hurt a team down the field with his size at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. He will have size on nearly all of the Hawkeyes’ cornerbacks and be a great week one test.

Tucker Kraft, TE

The Hawkeyes are not the only team in this game with a current tight end that will be jumping to the NFL next spring. Tight end, Tucker Kraft, had 65 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. Albeit against FCS competition, all of those numbers topped Sam LaPorta’s career highs. Kraft is 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, and, once he gets the ball in his hands, it takes a handful to bring him down.

Isaiah Davis, RB

In the backfield, the lion’s share of the snaps should go to Isaiah Davis, a junior running back. Davis has not been the lead back yet in his career, but in his two seasons he has still contributed 1,519 yards and 17 touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Davis is not afraid to be a bruiser and will give the Hawkeyes’ defense all they can handle meeting him in the hole.

While they reside in the FCS, South Dakota State is no slouch and will be looking to come into Kinnick Stadium and make a statement on Saturday. The Jackrabbits don’t just want to hang around, they truly believe they can upset the Hawkeyes. For Iowa, the defense should be ready to take on these individuals and slow them down to start the season off on the right foot.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 schedule breakdown: South Dakota State

With spring in the rearview, Hawkeyes Wire takes a look at the opponents on Iowa’s 2022 schedule. Up first? South Dakota State in week one.

It was a strange season for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2021. There was a six-week stretch where all of Iowa City believed that they would be playing on the national stage in the College Football Playoff.

They just beat No. 4 Penn State and had one of their highest-ever USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll rankings at No. 2. Then, everything came crashing down with crushing defeats at the hands of unranked Purdue and Wisconsin.

It was a far cry from the team that took down three ranked opponents, and while they would go on another hot streak to make it to the Big Ten championship game, let’s just say that didn’t go well.

Overall, when you take out the sting of getting destroyed 42-3 by a determined Michigan squad on national television with the conference championship on the line, it was a successful season for the Hawkeyes. They finished 10-4 (one of the losses in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Kentucky, 20-17) and once again established themselves as one of the Big Ten’s elite. They did lose some key players including center Tyler Linderbaum who was a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft.

On paper, the first-week matchup at home seems like the perfect tune-up game for a home encounter with rival Iowa State the following week. They’re playing an FCS opponent. That should be easy, right? Not so fast.

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits should not be ignored at all. They are a strong team that is returning a lot of key players, and should not be taken lightly. Here are five players to watch out for in week one against South Dakota State.