Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 22, 2008 19:01:44 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/498541.html
Injury slows former SM Northwest star at NFL combine
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
INDIANAPOLIS | Ryan Torain would give anything to walk onto the green carpet in the RCA Dome and run the 40-yard dash of his life at the NFL scouting combine.
But he probably won’t.
Torain would love to dazzle the scouts by dashing through the agility drills and soaring in the long jump.
But a torn ligament in his foot probably will keep Torain, an Arizona State running back by way of Shawnee Mission Northwest, from going through a full workout at the combine, which runs from today through next Tuesday for 335 draft-eligible players.
“My foot feels good, but I don’t know what I’m going to do, yet. It’s going to be kind of a game-time decision,” said Torain, who likely will confine his activity to the bench press, vertical leap and all-important interview process with NFL team executives, coaches and scouts.
“There will be plenty of days for me to play football,” said Torain, who hopes to run at Arizona State’s pro day next month.
Torain, a 6-foot, 215-pounder, was among the Pacific-10 Conference’s top running backs before he suffered the injury against Washington in the sixth game of the 2007 season.
“I was in a pile, and my foot kind of gave out,” he recalled.
At the time of his injury, Torain was listed by draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 2 senior running back in the nation. As a junior, he had carried 223 times for 1,229 yards — the eighth-most yards in a single season in Arizona State history — with seven touchdowns rushing and three receiving.
Torain was off to a good start as a senior, reeling off three 100-yard games in his first five outings. He also put up a remarkable effort against Oregon State as he not only rushed for 91 yards, but also caught touchdown passes of 48 and 7 yards and had a 41-yard touchdown run in a span of 6 minutes, 45 seconds in a come-from-behind victory.
But on Torain’s 10th carry against Washington, a strange sensation ended his college career.
And now, he enters a draft filled with junior running backs such as Arkansas’ Darren McFadden and Felix Jones; Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart; Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall; Rutgers’ Ray Rice; and West Virginia’s Steve Slaton. That doesn’t include seniors such as Michigan’s Mike Hart.
“There’s a lot coming out, but you can’t be afraid of competition,” Torain said. “I’m not too worried about it.”
Torain began his college career at Butler (Kan.) Community College, where he helped the Grizzlies reach the national championship game as a freshman in 2004. He had several offers from Division I schools and chose Arizona State largely because he saw an opportunity to play right away.
Torain had his breakout game in his Pac-10 debut against Cal, rushing for 191 yards and outplaying future first-round pick Marshawn Lynch. He was voted all-conference second team, and his 1,229 yards rushing were the fourth-most ever by a player in his first Pac-10 season, trailing only Corey Dillon of Washington and O.J. Simpson and Clarence Davis of USC.
In two seasons at Arizona State, he played for two coaches — Dirk Koetter, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dennis Erickson, who brought a pro-style offense to the Sun Devils.
“You’ve got to be very coachable and willing to work hard and learn new systems,” Torain said of his adaptability. “Changing offenses three times in the last three years just makes me more confident about myself learning a new offense in the NFL.”
Though Torain projects to be a late-round draft pick, his ability to catch the ball should help his stock.
“He has the hands of a receiver, but he’s got the skill of a running back,” said Butler coach Troy Morrell. “His elusiveness and his ability to change directions are the best things he has.”
Had Torain not been injured, Arizona State running backs coach Jamie Christian believes he would have been at least a second-round pick.
“He was blocking better; he was going to have a great year,” Christian said. “He has size, speed, vision. For someone his size, he has great feet. He’s a big runner with shiftiness like a small runner.
“He’s come back pretty strong from the injury. He looks bigger, he looks stronger. I think if someone takes a chance on him, he’s going to be a steal.”
Injury slows former SM Northwest star at NFL combine
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
INDIANAPOLIS | Ryan Torain would give anything to walk onto the green carpet in the RCA Dome and run the 40-yard dash of his life at the NFL scouting combine.
But he probably won’t.
Torain would love to dazzle the scouts by dashing through the agility drills and soaring in the long jump.
But a torn ligament in his foot probably will keep Torain, an Arizona State running back by way of Shawnee Mission Northwest, from going through a full workout at the combine, which runs from today through next Tuesday for 335 draft-eligible players.
“My foot feels good, but I don’t know what I’m going to do, yet. It’s going to be kind of a game-time decision,” said Torain, who likely will confine his activity to the bench press, vertical leap and all-important interview process with NFL team executives, coaches and scouts.
“There will be plenty of days for me to play football,” said Torain, who hopes to run at Arizona State’s pro day next month.
Torain, a 6-foot, 215-pounder, was among the Pacific-10 Conference’s top running backs before he suffered the injury against Washington in the sixth game of the 2007 season.
“I was in a pile, and my foot kind of gave out,” he recalled.
At the time of his injury, Torain was listed by draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 2 senior running back in the nation. As a junior, he had carried 223 times for 1,229 yards — the eighth-most yards in a single season in Arizona State history — with seven touchdowns rushing and three receiving.
Torain was off to a good start as a senior, reeling off three 100-yard games in his first five outings. He also put up a remarkable effort against Oregon State as he not only rushed for 91 yards, but also caught touchdown passes of 48 and 7 yards and had a 41-yard touchdown run in a span of 6 minutes, 45 seconds in a come-from-behind victory.
But on Torain’s 10th carry against Washington, a strange sensation ended his college career.
And now, he enters a draft filled with junior running backs such as Arkansas’ Darren McFadden and Felix Jones; Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart; Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall; Rutgers’ Ray Rice; and West Virginia’s Steve Slaton. That doesn’t include seniors such as Michigan’s Mike Hart.
“There’s a lot coming out, but you can’t be afraid of competition,” Torain said. “I’m not too worried about it.”
Torain began his college career at Butler (Kan.) Community College, where he helped the Grizzlies reach the national championship game as a freshman in 2004. He had several offers from Division I schools and chose Arizona State largely because he saw an opportunity to play right away.
Torain had his breakout game in his Pac-10 debut against Cal, rushing for 191 yards and outplaying future first-round pick Marshawn Lynch. He was voted all-conference second team, and his 1,229 yards rushing were the fourth-most ever by a player in his first Pac-10 season, trailing only Corey Dillon of Washington and O.J. Simpson and Clarence Davis of USC.
In two seasons at Arizona State, he played for two coaches — Dirk Koetter, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dennis Erickson, who brought a pro-style offense to the Sun Devils.
“You’ve got to be very coachable and willing to work hard and learn new systems,” Torain said of his adaptability. “Changing offenses three times in the last three years just makes me more confident about myself learning a new offense in the NFL.”
Though Torain projects to be a late-round draft pick, his ability to catch the ball should help his stock.
“He has the hands of a receiver, but he’s got the skill of a running back,” said Butler coach Troy Morrell. “His elusiveness and his ability to change directions are the best things he has.”
Had Torain not been injured, Arizona State running backs coach Jamie Christian believes he would have been at least a second-round pick.
“He was blocking better; he was going to have a great year,” Christian said. “He has size, speed, vision. For someone his size, he has great feet. He’s a big runner with shiftiness like a small runner.
“He’s come back pretty strong from the injury. He looks bigger, he looks stronger. I think if someone takes a chance on him, he’s going to be a steal.”