Jordan Wilkins

A one-year starter at Ole Miss, Wilkins stepped up as a senior after an underwhelming first three seasons in Oxford, becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher for the Rebels since 2009 (Dexter McCluster). He was a three-down player in 2017 and averaged 6.52 yards per rush. Wilkins is an athletic cut-and-go runner, but is more of a rhythm runner than explosive slasher. While he looks the part with NFL athleticism, his spotty vision stands out and he doesn’t consistently use his power to physically finish through contact BACKGROUND: A four-star running back recruit out of high school, Jordan Wilkins was a two-sport standout at St. Benedict, starring in football and basketball. He rushed for 1,546 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior and the scholarship offers started to pour in, initially committing to Auburn. Wilkins rushed for 1,041 yards and 14 scores as a senior before a season-ending knee injury, causing some programs to back off. He de-committed from Auburn a week prior to signing day and flipped to Ole Miss over Tennessee, Michigan and others. After redshirting in 2013, Wilkins rushed for 361 yards and one touchdown in 2014. He shared the back-up duties as a sophomore and finished with 379 yards and four touchdowns. Wilkins was expecting to take a substantial step forward in 2016, but he was suspended for the season due to a credits issue after changing his major. He returned in 2017 as a senior and led the team in rushing with 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 26 catches and 241 yards for one touchdown.

in our view

Wilkins compares to a poor man’s Ryan Mathews with his body type, cutting ability and issues staying on the field.

strengths

Good-looking athlete…bursts off his plant foot without gearing down mid-cut…strong-strider and understands run angles in space…balanced ballcarrier to bounce off defenders and keep his feet underneath him…attacks the hole with a head of steam when he finds it…cuts off blocks to squirt through holes before they expand…soft hands and steady focus through the catch to scoop throws off his shoelaces…efficiently turns from pass-catcher to ballcarrier to create (57.7% of his 2017 catches went 10+ yards)…fumbled only twice in his Ole Miss career…named a senior captain…averaged 5.0+ yards per carry in all eight SEC games in 2017 – finished strong with four 100-yard games in his final five contests.

weaknesses

Tunnel vision and late to feel openings…runs up the back of his blockers…gets caught in the backfield making extra lateral movements…doesn’t run as big as he looks, bracing for contact before it happens…tends to run tilted, not square…runs erect, exposing his body to violent hits…below average awareness and technique in pass protection and not ready to take on NFL blitzers…struggled to stay on the field in college, missing 2016 due to academic suspension…injuries have been an issue, dating back to high school when he broke his right fibula in two place and tore ligaments (Oct. 2012) – played through nagging ankle and knee injuries over his career…will be a 24-year old rookie, but wasn’t overused in college.

A SuperPrep All-America selection

A consensus 4-star prospect by all the major recruiting services

Rated the No. 9 all-purpose back in the nation by 247Sports.com and the nation’s No. 10 big back by Tom Lemming

Listed as the 20th-best running back by Rivals.com and 21st by ESPN.com

A member of the ESPN 300

Three-time Division 2-AA All-State selection by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association

Rushed for 1,041 yards and 14 touchdowns in just seven games as a senior before suffering a season-ending knee injury

An honorary selection to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star Game and City of Memphis All-Star Game

Rushed for 1,546 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior and was one of three finalists for the Division 2-AA Back of the Year

Coached in high school by Michael Davidson

Also played basketball.

Son of Billy and Angie Wilkins

Full name is Jordan Reed Wilkins

Born: July 18, 1994

His dad played football for UT Martin

Older brother, Trey, was a wide receiver at Vanderbilt

Recreation administration major.