The 2024 NFL Draft doesn’t have a definitive top running back prospect at the moment, but one name that hasn’t come up in those conversations very often is Boise State’s George Holani, who burst onto the scene back in 2019 as a true freshman with exceptional production early in his collegiate career.
What does the scouting report look like for the productive five-year runner for the Broncos?
George Holani Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 208
- Length: 29 3/4”
- Wingspan: 72 1/2”
- Hand: 9 3/4”
- Position: RB
- School: Boise State
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
Rushing for 1,014 rushing yards, adding another 206 yards on 26 receptions, and finding the end zone on 10 occasions as a true freshman isn’t exactly the type of production one should ignore or dismiss when analyzing an incoming running back prospect.
Unfortunately, a shortened 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 derailed his fast start, and it felt like he never managed to take that next step to build off his exceptional 2019 season.
George Holani Scouting Report
Strengths
- Flashed the capability to be an effective three-down back in 2019 and 2022 by averaging 17 total touches for 93 total yards per game.
- Quality vision; shows a natural knack for setting up his blockers and staying patient to press the intended gap. Rarely makes poor reads or creates negative plays with bad decisions.
- Has quality burst when he identifies opportunities to stick his foot in the ground and squeeze through an open crease.
- Plus-level contact balance and will regularly generate extra yardage after contact with subtle adjustments at the point of attack when engaging with oncoming defenders.
- Instinctive runner who plays with quality leverage, which helps him consistently find ways to contort his body to fall forward.
- Flashes a quality jump cut with the ability to keep forward momentum close to top speed when operating downhill.
- Fluid pass catcher with natural soft hands who provides a very reliable option out of the backfield.
Weaknesses
- Play strength is good but not elite; does not display the type of power to forcefully overwhelm defenders.
- Lateral agility is adequate but isn’t among the best in this class; limitations do exist concerning his ability to generate significant force when trying to string together multiple quick adjustments in tight areas, which limits his elusiveness between the tackles.
- Pass protection lacks commitment and consistency; tends to quickly chip and then will idle instead of searching for more work.
- Top speed isn’t elite by NFL standards.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Some really nice aspects of Holani’s game should translate favorably to the next level. His vision and patience can be impressive and provide some versatility between being effective in gap or zone schemes. His downhill running mentality with solid gap discipline and pass-catching capabilities could certainly entice a coaching staff to take a chance on Holani on Day 3.
My biggest concern regarding his transition to the next level is his twitchiness in short areas when he doesn’t have a favorable runway, which saps him of his contact balance and acceleration to work through traffic at the next level. His pass protection isn’t likely to do him a ton of favors either early in his career, either.
His productivity during his two full seasons certainly suggests he could be an effective back in the right situation, but his lack of top-tier athleticism on a slightly smaller frame than an ideal early-down back put him in the mix for a Day 3 pick but far from a lock to make a roster entering the NFL.
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