C.J. Prosise Scouting Report, RB, Notre Dame, 2016 NFL Draft

Introduction

Hometown: Petersburg, Virginia
High School: Madison (VA) Woodberry
Recruitment: 4-Star Recruit by Scout, 4-Star recruit by Rivals
Injuries/Discipline: Missed a lot of time at the end of the year with neck/head injury and left ankle sprain.

Measurables

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 220lb
Class: Senior
Projected 40 Time: 4.45

Stats

2015: 157 rushing attempts, 1029 yards, 11 touchdowns, 6.6 average. 26 receptions, 308 yards, 1 TD.
2014: 29 receptions, 516 yards, 2 touchdowns, 17.8 average
2013: 7 receptions, 72 yards, 0 TD's, 10.3 averages

Positives

• Shows good balance
• Excellent speed
• Open field ability
• Natural receiving ability
• Patient runner
• Has good vision
• Good acceleration
• Makes good reads, and cuts effortlessly
• Doesn't lose momentum
• Productive running back
• Good strength
• Shows a good stiff arm
• Ability to get yards after the catch
• Tough to bring down

Negatives

• Only has one year's worth of experience at RB
• Runs a little too high
• Technique needs a lot of work
• Can be too patient at times.
• Dances behind the line a little too much.
• Needs to work on pass protection
• Ball security needs to be a focal point.
• Picked up a few too many injuries.

Conclusion

It's been an interesting journey for C.J. He was recruited as a safety and wide receiver, and finished his career as an accomplished running back. He was always a decent receiver without being incredibly special, so before the 2015 season the Irish moved him to running back due to a lack of depth at the position. An injury to the starter thrust C.J into the starting line-up and he flourished before suffering several injuries at the end of the season.

However his journey could be a blessing in disguise. If you look at his tape, you can see that he is a raw prospect who hasn't played the position all his life. However you also see an incredible amount of talent from a hard working individual who has bags of natural talent. He does need to work on his technique and some other aspects of his game like pass protection, but he can be a game changer with the ball in his hands.

He combines a little size, with strength and speed, throw in his receiving ability and you have an interesting prospect that would be well worth a flyer in the 3rd or 4th round. His decision making will improve with reps and pass protection can be taught with good coaching.

I really like the talent of C.J now, and love his future prospects. I wouldn't want him being the starter in year one, but he can do a job immediately and develop into a very good running back at the next level.

Draft Grade: 69

90-100 = Exceptional Talent
80-90 = Impact Player
70-80 = NFL Starter
60-70 = Solid NFL Potential
50-60 = Draftable - Lot of work needed
>50 = Undraftable, - Long Shot To Stick