Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo Shines at 2024 NFL Combine
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INDIANAPOLIS - While the annual NFL Scouting Combine is not the be-all and end-all when it comes to critiquing prospects for the NFL Draft, it is a critical component of the entire draft process. A great performance can serve as a massive boost to a player's overall draft stock, and at the 2024 iteration of the event, Isaac Guerendo certainly made himself some money.
The former Louisville running back put together a phenomenal outing at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Not only was he arguably the top performer amongst the running backs invited to this year's combine, he put together one of the best all-around performances out of a running back in the history of the NFL Combine.
In the combine's marquee event, the 40-Yard Dash, Guerendo posted a blazing 4.33 official time with a 1.55 10-Yard Split. Not only was his 40-time the best among all running backs, it tied Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell for the second-best through the first three days of the combine, behind only Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins' 4.28 time.
It was the fastest 40-time of any 220+ pound running back since 2003, according to NFL's Next Gen Stats, and the fifth-fastest among running backs in NFL Combine history. Guerendo measured 6-foot and 221-pounds at the combine, along with 30.75' arms and 9.25" hands.
The 40-Yard Dash wasn't the only drill where Guerendo put on display his athleticism. He also logged a 41.5" in the vertical jump, as well as a 10' 9" in the broad jump. His vertical led all running backs and was fifth overall through three days of combine drills, while his broad jump was second to Tennessee's Jaylen Wright (11' 2") amongst running backs and tied for 15th overall.
Put together his measurables along with his results in the combine drills, and it produces an insane Relative Athletic Score of 9.98. Since 1987, it was the best RAS score from a running back since Houston's Jackie Battle posted a 9.99 in 2007, and it tied Miami's Edgerrin James and Tennessee's James Stewart for third-best at the position. USC's Justin Fargas posted the lone perfect 10.00 back in 2003.
According to NFL's Next Gen Stats, Guerendo became just the fifth running back prospect to earn a max-99 athleticism score since 2003, pending shuttle drills.
Joining Louisville as a transfer from Wisconsin last offseason, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound back was the primary backup running back behind Jawhar Jordan for the 2023 season. When Jordan was hampered by a hamstring injury in the second half of the season, Guerendo saw his role in the offense increase dramatically, to which he took full advantage.
In the final six games of the year, Guerendo's combination on speed and power was on full display, rushing 72 times for 558 yards (7.75 YPC average) and eight touchdowns. This included four games with over 90 rushing yards, and a 161-yard and three-touchdown performance against USC in the Holiday Bowl.
He finished the season with 810 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 rushes, along with 22 receptions for 234 yards to total 1,044 yards from scrimmage. Guerendo was also Louisville's leading kick returner, logging 11 returns for 211 yards.
(Photo of Isaac Guerendo: Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports)
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