Marshawn Lynch

College : California Year Drafted : 2007
Row : N/A Overall Selection N/A
Draft Team: N/A Position: RB

Marshawn Lynch Jersey

2007 NFL Draft Player Reviews - RB Marshawn Lynch
By Joe Arrigo

When Heisman candidates names are mentioned, the first Running Back many think of is Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson, but not to far behind his name is Cal's Marshawn Lynch. He was the best kept secret in the Pac 10 the past 2 seasons, playing in almost obscurity, well, ok, how about in the shadows of USC's Reggie Bush and Lendale White, but I have news for the average or casual fan...THE SECRET IS OUT!! Lynch is the MOST COMPLETE BACK IN COLLEGE and the NFL has taken notice!!

Lynch, a junior, who is a Social Welfare major, was a Prep Star and Super Prep All-American and the San Francisco Chronicle's East Bay Player of the Year at Oakland Tech, not to mention Rivals.com ranked him the No. 2 prep running back in the United States in 2003 when he rushed for 1,722 yards and caught 17 passes in eight regular season games in 2003 .

In Lynch's freshman year (2004) he was named to freshman All-America second team by Rivals.com and was a third-team choice on The Sporting News' freshman team . Lynch totaled 628 yards on 71 carries, averaging a Pac-10-best 8.8 yards per carry (that's saying a lot since Bush was STILL playing at USC) and 52.3 yards per game ...he also caught 19 passes for 147 yards and in limited duty, still scored 10 touchdowns (8 rushing, 2 receiving) . Lynch returned kickoffs for 372 yards, averaging 24.8 yards per attempt to rank 23rd nationally.

Last season (2005) Lynch finished the season seventh nationally with an average of 124.6 rushing yards per game, he was ninth in the country in all-purpose yards (164.2) while being named honorable mention All-Pac-10. Marshawn ranked third in rushing and in all-purpose yardage in the Pac-10 where he rushed for 1,246 yards in less than 10 full games.

Marshawn Lynch is one of the strongest running backs in the country with big-play, home run hitting ability every time he toats the rock, and can be a bruising between the tackles runner that is fast enough to take it outside. He is a well-built RB (5'11, 217 lbs) with OUTSTANDING speed (4.37), hands and vision to match. He can take the rock outside or run between the tackles. Something Lynch also possesses is great patience and a burst when he hits the hole. Marshawn is also a more then capable blocker and maybe the best RB (that is draft eligible) catching the ball out of the backfield. He also returns kicks.

Coming into this season Lynch rushed for 1,874 yards on 267 carries and 18 td's with a long run of 70 yards. He also has caught 34 balls for 272 yards and 2 td's. Lynch also was averaging 23.0 yards a return.

Lynch's genes are good as well, as he has two cousins on the Cal roster, Virdell Larkins and Robert Jordan (a WR). Lynch was raised by his mother is Delisa Lynch.

Marshawn Lynch reminds me of a cross between Edgerin James and Ronnie Brown. He is a franchise type back that should be taken EARLY (top 10) in round 1 in the 2007 draft (if he decides to come out) and would be a perfect fit for a West Coast Offense since he possesses the skill set to do all the things needed in the WCO.

Joe Arrigo is a staff writer for The War Room Draft Guide, the definitive online source for information on the NFL Draft. The War Room Draft Guide provides player analysis, NFL Draft News and Rumors, live Draft Chats, Draft Podcasts and more! Visit http://WarRoomDraftGuide.com/ for more information.

Joe also contributes content to http://PackerChatters.com/, the #1 Source for Green Bay Packer News, Information and Discussion.

Brady Quinn - Brian Brohm - Calvin Johnson - Ted Ginn - Joe Thomas - Lawrence Jackson - Daymeion Hughes - Antoine Cason - Dwayne Jarrett - Dwayne Wright - Marshawn Lynch