Film Room: Reviewing Each of Jaguars RB Devine Ozigbo's Touches in 2019

The Jacksonville Jaguars have fewer than two weeks to figure out what may now be the most pressing question facing the young team: how are they going to replace Leonard Fournette's massive volume touches?

Jacksonville waived Fournette on Monday morning, with head coach Doug Marrone citing the performance of the rest of the team's backs in training camp as the primary reason. Among those backs who will now be tasked with stepping into Fournette's shoes in the offense will be second-year back Devine Ozigbo.

With fellow second-year running back Ryquell Armstead missing a decent chunk of training camp this year, it could be logical to think Ozigbo has an inside track to the starting running back position in Week 1, especially if Armstead continues to miss practices in the lead up to Sept. 13.

So, who is Ozigbo and what does he bring to the table? To get an answer, we take a look back on the one game Ozigbo was featured in as a rookie: last year's season finale vs. the Indianapolis Colts.

With Fournette missing the final game of the season in 2019, both Ozigbo and Armstead were given their own opportunities to impress. Neither set the world on fire, but they were able to actually put some reps on tape, something which was hard to come by considering how much Fournette played in 2019.

Ozigbo got the ball 12 times as a rookie, with each touch coming8u in Week 17 vs. the Colts. And in that performance, he recorded 27 rushing yards on nine carries and 23 receiving yards on three catches. None of these numbers stand out, but what does the tape reveal? We look at each rep to get the answer, with each play in the video above.

Play No. 1

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 9:22 left in second quarter. On Jaguars 21-yard line.

Result: Nine-yard gain.

What happened?:

This was one of Ozigbo's bigger plays, and it just happened to be his first carry. It was maybe the best blocking he saw all game, but Ozigbo did what he was supposed to do and let the play develop in front of him. You can see when he gets right behind Cam Robinson that he can either run it behind him or to his left, or he could instead press it inside and hit the second level. He made the right choice, showing off good vision. This play would have went for more if Dede Westbrook held his block better.

Play No. 2

Play type: Pass.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 7:58 left in second quarter. On Jaguars 39-yard line.

Result: Four-yard gain.

What happened?:

With nothing open on the four verticals play call, Gardner Minshew opted to just check it down to Ozigbo for a small gain here. This play isn't revealing of anything but decent hands.

Play No. 3

Play type: Pass.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 0:33 left in second quarter. On Jaguars 27-yard line.

Result: Seven-yard gain.

What happened?:

With nobody covering Ozigbo on a short route out of the backfield, Minshew opts to dump it off to him with the pocket collapsing. Ozigbo showed even better hands this time and some nice initial burst, but he didn't get a chance to show much else.

Play No. 4

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 11:50 left in third quarter. Ball on Colts 44-yard line.

Result: No gain.

What happened?:

Play No. 5

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 4:31 left. Ball on Jaguars 40-yard line.

Result: Loss of one yard.

What happened?:

There was actually looking to be a potentially big lane opening up for Ozigbo here, but Margus Hunt beat A.J. Cann by defeating his attempt at a reach block and completely blew up the play. Hunt got disruption too early in the play for Ozigbo to turn this into a positive run.

Play No. 6

Play type: Pass.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 13:11 left in fourth quarter. Ball on Jaguars 26-yard line.

Result: 12-yard gain.

What happened?:

There isn't any play that better displays Ozigbo's burst and overall athleticism than this one. Catching the ball on a short swing route, Ozigbo instantly transitions from receiver to ball carrier and gets upfield. He senses the defensive back lose balance and therefore lose inside leverage, and he presses the run to the defender's right side, blowing past him with ease and picking up the first down. If any play will show what kind of weapon Ozigbo can potentially be as a receiver, it is this one.

Play No. 7

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 12:43 left in fourth quarter. Ball on Jaguars 48-yard line.

Result: Two-yard gain.

What happened?:

Firstly, Ozigbo needs to be more cautious with the ball even if this wasn't ruled a fumble. But frankly this is an impossible play to evaluate because of how badly left guard Andrew Norwell whiffed. He completely fell directly in front of Ozigbo, offering a road block instead of a road clearer, making this an impossible play to turn into a success.

Play No. 8

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 7:45 left in fourth quarter. Ball on Colts 34-yard line.

Result: One-yard gain.

What happened?:

Ozigbo did his best to turn this power run inside but he simply ran out of real estate while the Colts were able to outnumber Jacksonville's blockers on the perimeter. Jacksonville didn't get enough movement and Ozigbo didn't get upfield fast enough to turn this into a serviceable gain.

Play No. 9

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 2nd & 9 with 7:25 left in fourth quarter. Ball on Colts 33-yard line.

Result: Six-yard gain.

What happened?:

You can see how badly Ozigbo wants to bounce this run outside, but the coach's angle shows Darius Leonard was in perfect position to make a stop if Ozigbo didn't stay on his inside track. Still, Ozigbo got was given to him and he then showed a lot of toughness and power after contact, dragging the tacklers for some extra yardage.

Play No. 10

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 1st & 10 with 4:09 left in fourth quarter. Ball on Jaguars 20.

Result: Seven-yard gain.

What happened?:

Jacksonville was able to give Ozigbo some room outside on this run, showing good push along the left side. To his credit, Ozigbo again made the correct choice with his vision and then created yards after contact. His patience as he waited to the alley to partially clear was impressive for a young back, even if you'd like to see him for a tackler to miss at some point.

Play No. 11

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 2nd & 4 with 3:49 left in fourth quarter. Ball on Colts 13-yard line.

Result: One-yard gain.

What happened?:

Another play in which an interior lineman falls down with Ozigbo behind him, Jacksonville just got badly beat up front on this play. Ozigbo could have kept trying to find yardage going to the playside but he made the call to cutback once Linder hit the ground. He, unfortunately, would go on to cutback into the middle of a crowd of defenders.

Play No. 12

Play type: Run.

Game situation: 3rd & 2 with 3:07 left in fourth quarter. Ball on Colts 12-yard line.

Result: Two-yard gain.

What happened?:

The linebacker went untouched by any blockers on this play so it is hard to judge. You'd like to see Ozigbo win one-on-one in space but, again, the linebacker had a free run at him.

Overall thoughts

Ozigbo was used much more as an early-down back in this game, with only three of his touches coming on non-first downs. He also was the victim of an up and down performance from the offensive line, with only three of his nine runs going for longer than two yards.

With that said, you could see some of the traits Ozigbo possesses which intrigues the Jaguars. His explosion is evident, especially on passing plays and on runs when he can put his foot in the ground and get upfield. In terms of vision, patience and overall decision-making, he also showed plenty more than good. He also looked to be a physical runner, picking up several extra yards after contact.

If there are any negatives from those 12 reps, its the fact that you never saw Ozigbo win in space other than on the pass vs. the off-balance corner, and the fact that it is such a limited sample size. I would like to see more of Ozigbo creating yardage for himself with elusiveness or agility, but again, the Jaguars didn't exactly give him a lot to work with. Factor in the fact that there are just 12 touches, with nine of them being runs, and it is clear that any observations have to be made with the proper context.

Still, Ozigbo has plenty of physical talent and it looks as if he now as a prime opportunity in front of him. His 12 touches vs. the Colts revealed a few things, but look for his carries in a few weeks to reveal much, much more.

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