Jeremy McNichols

Boise State is not often mentioned as one of the top producers of NFL running backs but given the impressive production in 2016 by Jay Ajayi (Miami Dolphins) and in prior seasons from Doug Martin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) at the professional level, perhaps it should. Certainly, McNichols deserves a close look, after averaging a staggering 1,523 yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons as a starter since taking over for Ajayi. Like many of Boise State's top prospects, McNichols did not sign with great acclaim as a three-star selection as a high school recruit. He flashed his versatility as a true freshman, however, recording 708 all-purpose yards, averaging an eye-popping 9.4 yards per carry (17 attempts for 159 total yards), 10.3 as a receiver (15 for 155) and 20.7 (19 for 393) on kick returns despite splitting time with Ajayi. Once given the starting role as a sophomore, McNichols soared, scoring at least one rushing touchdown in all 12 games of the 2015 season and finishing second in the nation with 26, altogether, including 20 on the ground. He earned Second Team All-Mountain West honors by rushed for 1,337 yards on 240 carries and caught 51 passes for another 460 yards. He was even better in 2016, setting career-highs in rushing yards (1,709), touchdowns (27, including 23 rushing) and receiving yards (474), totaling 2,255 all-purpose yards, earning Second Team all-conference accolades again. McNichols may lack the name recognition of some of the other top backs in this class but he shows intriguing potential, demonstrating vision, burst, power and toughness. He has shown the ability to carry the load when necessary, logging a school-record 40 carries in a win over Colorado State and with only two full seasons as the starter, there should be plenty of treat left on the tires. McNichols is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield, catching 103 passes for 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns over his career. If he can ease concerns about his straight-line speed during pre-draft workouts, McNichols could earn top 100 consideration.

in our view

McNichols is not going to wow anyone with his bulk or speed but his vision, patience and naturally low-center of gravity make him an effective interior runner capable of also helping on third down due to his soft hands and willingness in pass protection.

mcnichols has the combination of running, receiving and return ability to carve out a solid career in the nfl, albeit one as a reserve rather than as the headliner that his admittedly impressive statistics might suggest.

--Rob Rang (1/4/17)

strengths

Short but possesses a powerful, compact frame with well-built arms and a thick lower half that testifies to his work in the weight room. McNichols shows good initial quickness to press the line and can dart through openings when there. He tip-taps his way through traffic nicely, showing very good footwork to dance past would-be tacklers attempting to take out his legs. He possesses good vision and the burst to take advantage of cut-back lanes, as well as an effective stop-start move to elude and stiff-arm to knock away defenders. McNichols runs with good forward lean to take on would-be tacklers, spinning and keeping his legs churning to break tackles to maximize his runs. He is highly experienced as a pass-blocker, showing awareness and courage to take on hard-charging defenders. While lacking elite size for this role, McNichols anchors well to absorb and shows good quickness and accuracy to strike at the legs of oncoming defenders on cut blocks. McNichols is a reliable pass catcher, showing the ability to extend and pluck outside of his frame without slowing down. He has experience splitting out wide as a receiver, showing good body control and quickness to create separation.

compares to

Cedric Peerman, Cincinnati Bengals

weaknesses

McNichols lacks the size and speed to excite scouts. He is more quick than fast, lacking the second gear to pull away from defenders. He can get impatient as an interior runner, opting to bounce it outside but does not possess the instant acceleration to leave defenders in his wake. He does not consistently wrap both arms around the ball while in traffic. While alert in pass protection, McNichols can become too reliant on cut-blocks to slow defenders.

Three-star recruit according to Scout.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com

earned first-team all-league, all-region and all-state honors following senior season

also received first-team all-league honors as a junior and second team all-league honors as a sophomore

as a senior, rushed 163 times for 798 yards and eight touchdowns, and hauled in 17 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns

as a junior, rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown on three attempts

caught 25 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns

as a sophomore caught 30 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed three times for 42 yards

career totals included 173 carries for 877 yards and nine touchdowns, and 72 receptions for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns

also recorded 34 tackles as a senior.

2016

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.4	23.0	1709.0	314.0	80.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
37.0	12.8	4.0	76.0	474.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	2.0	5.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
21.0	72.0	4.0	0.0	18.0

2015

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.6	20.0	1337.0	240.0	88.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
51.0	9.0	6.0	40.0	460.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
29.0	89.0	5.0	0.0	17.8