Tarik Cohen

A four-year starter, Cohen received only one scholarship offer out of high school, but rewarded the North Carolina A&T coaching staff by becoming the most accomplished offensive player in school and MEAC history. He led the MEAC in rushing each of the last four seasons, including career-bests as a senior with 1,588 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns over 11 starts, adding personal-bests as a receiver with 37 catches for 339 yards and one score. Cohen finished his 2016 season with numerous First Team All-American and All-MEAC honors, finishing fifth in the voting for the Walter Payton FCS Offensive Player of the Year Award. Cohen is obviously undersized, both in stature and build, and doesn?t have the body type to take consistent NFL punishment, but he runs with naturally low pad level and is an exciting athlete with the ball in his hands. Cohen has explosive cutting ability and easily changes directions without slowing, displaying vision and toughness that will translate to the next level. Although it will be tough to get pro teams to overlook his miniscule size, Cohen has the football character and active athleticism to find a role in the NFL, comparing to a not as built version of Darren Sproles ? late round or priority free agent talent who will need to prove reliable as a returner to carve out a NFL career.

strengths

Twitchy athlete with dynamic, slippery movements to find ways to wiggle off the hook. Instant accelerator and controls his speeds well to elude defenders. Vision to set up his moves and manipulate space. If his blockers give him any type of opening, he?ll find and hit it with burst. Flashes the fifth-gear to run away from trailing defenders. Small, but soft hands and does a nice job quickly tucking the ball away as a receiver. Humble, but confident performer, doing some of his best work in the most important situations. Nose for the end zone with the school-records for rushing scores (56) and total touchdowns (59). Led his team and the MEAC in rushing all four seasons to set the all-time conference rushing record (5,619).

weaknesses

Pint-sized athlete with short stature, thin bone structure and below average body mass. Minimal power in his run style and doesn?t deliver much pop at contact. Lacks commitment between the tackles and needs to improve his patience, often running into his own blockers and not allowing the play to develop. Very quick to bounce runs outside, something he often got away with due to his speed, but that won?t be the case in the NFL. Minimal experience on special teams. Ball security requires improvement, fumbling five times in 2016. Competed at a lower level and didn?t face top competition each week. Workload questions due to his size and touched the ball 966 times over his collegiate career.

Rushed for 808 yards, including 252 yards in a playoff win against North Brunswick

Also scored 17 touchdowns and averaged 9.18 yards per carry

Had three touchdown receptions and returned three kicks for touchdowns

Earned team MVP honors and was also an all-conference selection

Was one-fourth of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2A state champion 4x100 meter relay team.

Full name is Tarik Cohen

He is the son of Tilwanda Newell

Was born on July 26, 1995

Majors in sports medicine.