NFL Draft Profile: Evan Hull, Running Back, Northwestern Wildcats
Evan Hull
Northwestern Wildcats
#26
Pos: RB
Ht: 5101
Wt: 209
Hand: 0928
Arm: 3058
Wing: 7400
40: 4.47
DOB: 10/26/2000
Hometown: Maple Grove, MN
High School: Maple Grove
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liner:
A twitchy back with true utility as a pass catcher and zone runner.
Evaluation:
Compact runner. Dense ball of muscle with lower body thickness. Jitterbug feet with crisp cuts in the backfield. Fluid in tight spaces, making the initial tackler miss, often behind the line of scrimmage. Scheme versatility with the ability to cut back on zone schemes and follow his blockers on gap or power runs. Vision to find the crease or bubble and acceleration to burst through for big gains. Smooth in the open field with the ability to cut across the grain. He runs with power, dropping his pads and falling forward. Soft hands that catch the front of the ball as a receiver. Used in smoke, now, and slip screens with the intent of getting him the ball in space and letting him work. He also aligns in the slot or even out wide and runs true routes where he’s targeted on in breakers and seams. Textbook fundamentals in short yardage or goal line carries. He runs with perfect leverage, arm over arm, and feet like he’s doing a ladder drill. Instincts and peripheral vision to avoid the nearest defender. Benefits from a run-heavy scheme with dominant offensive linemen. May not need a runway to get going but often has gaps that buses could fit through. Shorter stature that isn’t reminiscent of NFL lead-backs. Hull is a well-rounded back whose skill set is worthy of a selection in the NFL draft. His utilization as a pass catcher and twitchy runner in multiple schemes is notable and could lend him a fruitful career as a change of pace or fill-in starter at running back in the NFL.
Grade:
3rd Round.
Quotes:
“Awesome opportunity for Evan Hull and well deserved. I'm not sure how many folks outside Evanston (and Mobile!) realize how impressive he's been the past two seasons, putting up 1,273 and 1,459 yards from scrimmage, respectively, when defenses are keying in on him every Saturday.”
Kevin Fishbain, Writer at the Athletic (quote tweet of Hull’s Senior Bowl acceptance)
Background:
Originally from Maple Grove, Minnesota. He attended Maple Grove High School and was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports. Played at Northwestern University. Decided to redshirt his first year. As a redshirt freshman, played in nine games, totaling 209 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. During his redshirt sophomore season, played in all twelve games, totaling 1009 rushing yards, which ranked sixth in the Big Ten. He also had seven rushing touchdowns, which ranked eighth in the Big Ten. As a redshirt junior, played in all twelve games, totaling 913 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He also had a very good season as a receiver out of the backfield, totaling 546 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He served as a kick returner for Northwestern.
