Marion Grice NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Chargers RB

Marion Grice, RB, Arizona State (HT: 6’0”, WT: 208 lbs.)

San Diego Chargers

Sixth Round: 201st Pick

NFL Comparison: C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6000	208	32"	9 1/4"

40-yd dash	10-yd split	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	Shuttle
DNP - Injury	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP

Positives

• Fairly elusive runner. Is able to make defenders miss in space and can make himself skinny in the hole.
• Excellent receiver out of the backfield. Has a wide catch radius and soft hands, plucking the ball outside his frame.
• Demonstrates vision and instincts, finding small creases in traffic and acting intuitively at times.
• Decisive north-south runner with a slashing style. Is surprisingly effective between the tackles.
• Good balance. Gains yards after contact, pinballing off would-be-tacklers.
• Shows decent burst and lateral agility, can hit the hole with some speed or release quickly from the backfield on passing plays.
• Versatile enough to be lined up in the slot or even split wide.
• Tough and resilient. He fights to stay on his feet, churning his legs and twisting forward.
• Runs good routes and gains yards after the catch. Is quick to turn upfield with the ball.
• Displays good body control as a receiver, showing the ability to make back-shoulder catches.
• Ball security stands out as a positive feature, as he did not put the ball on the ground much during his college career.
• Willing pass-blocker who handled that responsibility frequently while with the Sun Devils.
• Contributed on special teams as a kick returner, averaging 24.1 yards per return as a senior.
• Was very productive, a touchdown machine, during his time at Arizona State.

Negatives

• Does not make dynamic cuts, may lack the quickness or explosiveness to rip off huge chunks off yardage at the next level.
• Not an overly powerful or bruising runner. Is tough, but does not deliver much punishment or drive through defenders.
• Average top-end speed, can be caught from behind.
• Is an upright runner, gets stood up at times by defenders. Could stand to do a better job of running behind his pads.
• Pass protection technique requires work. He must do a better job of sliding his feet, getting into defenders’ pads, following up on first contact and finishing blocks.
• Limited creativity or ambition as a runner at times. It is easy to appreciate his north-south style, but too often he takes the safe three yards when there could be daylight if he bounces outside.
• Built more like a wide receiver than an NFL running back—tall and slender. Will likely need to bulk up at the next level.
• Not an ideal short-yardage back due to upright style and lack of power.
• Suffered a broken left fibula late in his senior season that caused him to miss the Senior Bowl and his NFL Scouting Combine workout.

Year	Team	Car	Yds	Avg	TD
2012	Arizona State	103	679	6.6	11
2013	Arizona State	191	996	5.2	14

Year	Team	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
2012	Arizona State	41	425	10.4	8
2013	Arizona State	50	438	8.8	6

Personal Notes

• Second-team All-Pac-12 2013.
• Missed the Pac-12 title game and Holiday Bowl 2013 due to leg injury.
• Honorable mention All-Pac-12 2012.
• Transferred from Blinn Community College 2012.
• Second-team NJCAA All-American 2011.
• First-team All-Southwest Junior College Conference 2010.

Ratings Chart

nces.ed.gov

Overall

One of college football’s most versatile performers over the last two years, Marion Grice proved to be a Swiss army knife capable of pitching in on offense and special teams.

Though lacking elite speed or power, his north-south running style and ability to catch the ball set him apart from others in this class. He is sure to fall in the draft due to a late-season leg injury, but has the tools to become a valuable contributor in a backfield rotation.

Draft Projection: Fourth Round