Jamaal Charles: A Future NFL Star in the Making

Jamaal Charles was an up and coming prospect when the Chiefs drafted him with one of their three third round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Kansas City saw promise and heart in the former Texas Longhorn, who played alongside the likes of Vince Young, among others. He was also the starting running back next to Young when Texas won their National Championship in 2005, following the infamous Young scramble in the Rose Bowl against USC.

Charles was somewhat of an afterthought when he was drafted, as the Chiefs already had a solid running back in two-time Pro Bowler Larry Johnson.

Heck, even an undrafted free agent running back named Dantrell Savage was getting more looks and carries in practices than the aforementioned Charles.

He was looked at by many as merely a change of pace back. You know, possibly a back that a team could put in and count on to do well in certain third-down situations, and to relieve the starter when he gets tired to provide some extra stability.

Charles waited patiently on the bench for much of his first few seasons, ready and eager to make an impact on the game.

Finally, in the beginning of 2009, Charles got some opportunities. Johnson's legal troubles continued to spiral out of control and these, in addition to injuries, led to some more touches for Charles.

Unfortunately for Charles and the Chiefs, he began to fumble the ball left and right. Many said he would never be the guy. Many doubted him. Many wondered why we even wasted the draft pick on him in the first place.

Fast forward a few more weeks into the season. Incumbent starter Johnson was suspended and then released following his suspension. Charles was placed in the starting role, and he did more than make the most of it.

JC, as they call him, knifed his way though NFL defenses to the tune of 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns in just 10 starts. He also averaged an amazing 5.9 yards per carry, while fumbling the ball only four times the entire season.

Looking back at Charles' past, many people, including former coach Mack Brown, knew that the Chiefs had something special when they drafted him.

At Texas, he amassed 3,326 yards and 36 touchdowns in just three seasons. What is more amazing is that 1,619 of those yards came in his senior season, as JC continued to improve from season to season, similar to what he has done with his short time in the NFL so far.

Something that NFL scouts have picked up on, that many in Texas already knew, is his uncanny ability to make people miss and his ability to stay on his feet when it seems almost certain that he is going to go down.

Many people overlooked Charles' speed as he placed fourth in the National Championships in the 60-meter dash at Texas and was also a four-time Track All-American for the Longhorns.

This could explain his unreal speed when he gets in the open field, and it really shows when he outruns NFL defenses time and time again.

If history repeats itself, and it seems with Charles it is already starting to, JC will continue to get better and better, and the Chiefs could have an incredible running back on their hands.

And don't be surprised if Charles' dominance continues this year and into the future, as more teams will have to account for him.

Look out, NFL defenses, this guy is really special.