04/29/2012 - The Eagles' final selection of the draft, seventh-round running back Bryce Brown, is an interesting story. He was the top running back in the country as a high school senior. Went to Tennessee, but transferred to Kansas State after one season. Sat out 2010 then played in just three games last season before quitting the team. The 6-0, 223-pounder ran a 4.37 forty at his Pro Day last month. "He's had kind of a wild ride here through college football," coach Andy Reid said. "You're talking tremendous, tremendous skill here. He catches the ball effortlessly and is a smooth, smooth runner. He has all the talent in the world, but it's just a matter of tying things down here." - The Sports Xchange
A former five-star recruit who originally went to Tennessee, Brown didn't play for the Wildcats after rushing for 16 yards on three carries in the 2011 season opener. He left the team in late September and later decided to enter the 2012 draft despite having two years of eligibility remaining.
It was an abrupt and disappointing end to his short Kansas State career. Brown had been expected to take over the starting job as the replacement for Daniel Thomas and was the only Wildcat named to the All-Big 12 preseason team. But he wound up third on the depth chart entering the season.
Brown was once considered one of the top high school recruits in the country, rated by many ahead of Alabama's Trent Richardson. He had to battle through questions about his eligibility in 2009, when he was part of a two-back rotation, primarily backing up Montario Hardesty.
Brown announced on the first day of spring practice in 2010 that he was transferring, and had to sit out the season under transfer rules after deciding in August to go to Kansas State.
Analysis
Strengths: Athletic specimen with the foot speed and natural burst to force defenders to take poor angles and out-run them. Coordinated frame with the body control and smooth hips and ankles to quickly change directions and make defenders miss. Strong plant-and-go footwork and make sharp cuts and redirect his momentum upfield. Good growth potential to add strength and mold his body. Highly recruited out of high school and there might be some untapped potential there with limited hits to his body.
Weaknesses: Needs to run with better pad level and toughness to pick up yards after contact. Needs to show better patience and not run up the backs of his blockers. Questionable instincts and will dance too much, relying on his athleticism to try and get him out of trouble. Issues and controversy follows him everywhere he goes. Been labeled as a "bad apple" for his poor work ethic and streaky attitude, left two different top programs (Tennessee, Kansas State) on bad terms. Questionable ambition, maturity and love for the game, where are his priorities and can he be trusted?
--Dane Brugler
