Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year Visits Jets with NFL Draft Looming

The New York Jets are doing their due diligence at the running back position ahead of the 2023 National Football League Draft.

Alabama-Birmingham's DeWayne McBride made a top-30 prospect visit to Florham Park on Monday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Peliserro. The bruising runner led NCAA Division I FBS in rush yards (1,713) during the 2022 regular season.

Declaring for the NFL Draft following three seasons with UAB, McBride projects as a power back with the ability to bounce it outside. A ball carrier of his ability could help alleviate some of the wear-and-tear on primary running back Breece Hall, in short-yardage situations.

Under general manager Joe Douglas, Gang Green has drafted a running back each of the past three years. Prior to selecting Iowa State’s Breece Hall at No. 36 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jets made North Carolina’s Michael Carter a fourth-round pick (No. 107) in 2021. Florida’s La'Mical Perine was part of the Jets’ 2020 draft class as the No. 120 overall (Round 4) selection.

Jets hosting RB DeWayne McBride on visit, per @TomPelissero https://t.co/rAvvXSZbFh pic.twitter.com/NmUtEfJU0b
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 17, 2023

In addition to drafting Hall in 2022, the Jets inked North Carolina State’s Zonovan “Bam” Knight to an undrafted free-agent deal and he proceeded to contribute as a rookie.

The 5-foot-10 McBride enters the Draft off a record-breaking campaign at UAB. He set the program’s single-season records in rushing yards (1,713), touchdown rushes (19) and 100-yard games (10) en-route to winning the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year award.

McBride, who averaged an eye-popping 7.35 yards per carry in 2022, received a “Priority Free Agent” grade from NFL Draft Bible, most likely because he has not shown potential to be an every-down running back at the professional level. He made only five receptions in 31 college games.

NFL Draft Bible Scouting Report Excerpt:

DeWayne McBride, UAB
“He has broad shoulders and a thick frame that carries a lot of muscle. He shows a powerful stiff arm, successfully bounces his runs outside at a high rate for a player his size, and carries a ton of momentum as a runner. McBride almost always finishes plays falling forward. His contact balance and play strength are on the high end of the spectrum for running backs in this draft class.”
- Ric Serritella

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