NFL Draft: Theo Riddick
By Nick Combs
Nov. 3, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Theo Riddick (6) catches a pass for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Joe Trebitz (53) defends in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 29-26 in triple overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
During his Notre Dame career Theo had bounced from running back to wide receiver and back again. Everyone saw as the year went on Riddick was running harder each game and putting his shoulder down into defenders more often, which showed he is capable at running the ball in the NFL. Last year he got his shot at the starting role when Cierre Wood was suspended for the first two games of the season. Riddick ran for 917 yards on 190 attempts, which is a 4.83 yard per carry average with 5 touchdowns. People always knew that Theo was shifty and can make guys miss consistently, but the question was always his explosiveness through the line of scrimmage and if he can take a constant beating.
Vision
Many people don’t know how difficult it is to be a running back, just because a guy is fast doesn’t make him a good running back. A good running back not only is quick, but has great vision of the field and can make cuts based on the blocks he sees in front and to the sides of him. After reading the blocks the running back must still keep his head on a swivel especially on scraping linebackers and aggressive secondary players.
Ball Skills
As a wide receiver for his sophomore and junior seasons he developed very good route running skills and has good hands to really make the defense pay if they try and to man to man a linebacker against him. Last season Riddick had 36 catches for 370 yards and 2 touchdowns. Whether he comes out of the backfield for a pass or lines up in the slot he always has the potential to make the defense pay.
Where is Riddick’s place in the NFL? Personally he would be a great 3rd down running back or someone you could line up in the slot. He could also be valuable in the punt or kick return game. He will probably be taken on the second or third day of the draft, which are rounds 2-7. Round 3 would be a stretch, but I think he will be taken in the 4th or 5th round.