NFL Draft Profile: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Running Back, Kentucky Wildcats
#24
Pos: RB
Ht: 5116
Wt: 217
Hand: 0858
Arm: 3058
Wing: 7428
40: 4.60
DOB: 9/26/2000
Hometown: McDonough, GA
High School: Ola
Eligibility: 2023
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Kentucky Wildcats
One-Liner:
A bulldozing runner that churns out yardage in between the tackles.
Evaluation:
Dense frame. Mass from head to toe with above-average height for the position. Notable contact balance. Good straight-line acceleration. 10-yard stop-start with good burst. Terrific forward lean. Constantly plays with leverage and allocates yards falling forward. A fundamental runner through the tackles. Keeps the ball high and tight, losing no steam when pressing the hole. Don’t see him as a perimeter runner. Doesn’t have the speed to get to the edge or the agility to hit backside cutoffs. Not a phone booth player, won’t make the initial tackler miss in the backfield due to very tight hips. Early down runner, won’t see him in the game on 3rd and long. Sure-handed receiver but route tree is limited to swings and sit routes, rendering him little more than a check down. A human battering ram, Rodriguez is best suited as a downhill runner in power-gap schemes. There is no question in his usage as a short-yardage and goal-line back but he offers little after that. Tighter hips, the need for a runway, and lack of pass-game utility are all constraints on his current projection. Teams will still favor Rodriguez however, thanks to his above-average play strength and lead-back potential.
Grade:
4th Round
Background:
Hometown is McDonough, Georgia but was born in Riverdale, Georgia. Three-star recruit according to 247Sports. Played as both a running back and safety in high school. Earned All-State, All-Region and All-County honors. Named Ola 2015 Player of the Year by MaxPreps. Also played basketball and ran track. Nickname is “C-Rod.” Likes country music. Three people he would invite to a dinner are Drake, Odell Beckham Jr. and Chance the Rapper. Parents are Stephanie Thornton and Chris Rodriguez. Siblings are Chyna Thornton and Gabbi Rodriguez. Majoring in community and leadership development.
