Background-
Zack Moss: 5-9, 223lbs
Utah
From Hialeah Gardens, Florida, Moss racked up 17 touchdowns and over 1,000 rushing yards as a senior at Hallandale High School before heading to Utah. Was named Second-team All-PAC-12 in an injured shortened 2018 campaign. Returned in 2019 and was awarded the PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year award. First player in school history with 3 1k yard seasons. Broke six school records in 2019 (career carries, 712; career rushing yards, 4,167; career 100-yard rushing games, 18; career rushing touchdowns, 38; career all-purpose plays, 778; career total touchdowns; 41). Cousin of former NFL receiver, Santana Moss.
Combine Results-
40 Yard Dash | Bench Press | Vertical Jump | 20 Yard Shuttle |
4.65 | 19 | 33 | 135 |
2019 Stats- 235 carries, 1416 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, 28 receptions, 388 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns
Strengths-
Power/Balance-
Defenders are often forced to make business decisions when Moss is headed their way. Punishing runner with a really sturdy frame who always seems to keep his feet moving. Even when he’s stacked up at the line of scrimmage on lost downs, he is constantly trying to move the pile forward. Combined with his already short stature, able to drop his pad level to get lower than defenders. Looks like a bowling ball the way he absorbs contact from linebackers and stays upright afterwards. Shows creativity when stringing multiple moves together, one after the other. Drags safeties for extra yardage at the second and third levels.
Fluidity-
For a power back, he’s got some really light feet. Exhibits remarkable patience behind the line of scrimmage before gliding into the line of scrimmage. Wont ever be confused as a speed/quickness type of runner but has no problem making guys miss. Change of direction skills are evident thanks to his hip flexibility, able to work in tight spaces. Understands when to be patient and when to hit the hole immediately. Can stop on a dime to let would-be tacklers fly past. Has a nice, compact spin move that he displays in the backfield when free rushers get into the backfield.
3 Down Ability-
Frame and powerful lower half really come in handy in pass protection. Not perfect technique wise but is already a very reliable pass protector. Shows good football IQ when identifying blitzers off off the edge. Understands how to work inside out when face with blocking EDGE defenders. Understands leverage, gets low into his base. Solid, reliable hands catcher out of the backfield. Mostly used on safety valve type routes such as swing passes or texas routes. Was relied upon a little more in the passing game during his senior season. Does an adequate job adjusting to passes thrown behind him.
Weaknesses-
Long speed just isn’t really there, doesn’t break many long runs because of it. Can occasionally try to go off script too much, too soon and won’t have the lateral speed to do that at the next level. There were times where he wouldn’t follow his pullers and would elect to cut back into traffic instead. Any time he was flexed out to the slot, it was more of a decoy than anything else. Hasn’t displayed any route running ability to get excited about. Lot of wear and tear, injury concerns are also present and could scare teams away.
Projection-
Bruising style of a running back with exceptional contact balance that displays good change of direction, as well. Could become an effective closer where his punishing style of play wears defenses down toward the end of football games. Teams would be smart to pair Moss with a speedier, change of pace back-preferably one that is more dynamic as a receiver. Certainly talented enough to become an NFL starter early in his career but will be interesting to see if his play style will lead him to a 8 plus year career. Not a flashy guy but a solid prospect who’s blocking ability will be intriguing for teams looking to draft a rookie to play right away. I think he’s being undervalued a little bit by the draft community and could end up being a steal in the middle rounds of the draft.
Final Grade: Early 3rd Round
Games Watched: Washington (2018), BYU, Texas, Washington, Oregon
References: utahutes.com, youtube.com, collegefootballreference.com
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