With the 90th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select C.J. Prosise! Running Back. Notre Dame.
OvertheCap.com projects Prosise’s contract will be $3.03 million, with an $692,468 signing bonus.
Irish Legacy: Notre Dame Football fans know very well the versatility of one, C.J. Prosise. Calvin Junior was recruited as a safety, groomed as a wide receiver, and than he stepped up BIG time at running back in 2015-16. We will fondly remember the great “Prosise Pile-Ups” of 2015. While, C.J.’s propensity to stay upright often had us praying for his health and the security of the football, it was also his extra-effort that made Irish fans jump from their seats in solidarity. And who can forget the first time we really heard the name ‘C.J. Prosise’? Illegal screen against Florida State! In the end-zone! Did that immoral call put another chip on C.J. Prosise’s shoulder? I like to think so.
So Called Experts: NFL Film’s Greg Cosell says Prosise “has a long way to go as far as natural feel for the position. But just traits wise, I think there is some similarities to David Johnson.” Johnson is a pro runner/receiver for Arizona Cardinals.
NFL.com Profile noted “Prosise looks like an immediate ‘committee’ runner with future starter potential.” Now that is some high praise.
Prosise Measurements:
Stands at 6 feet tall. Weighs in at 220 pounds
35 1/2 inch vertical leap
4.48 40 yard dash
Broad Jump: 121
Length: 32⅛”
Hand Size: 8½” (supposedly small for running backs)
Strengths: According to CBS sports, Prosise proved to be a quick study at his new position in 2015, running with natural vision, feel and athleticism. Prosise has sharp cutting ability and ball-skills to impact the offense in several ways. He ended up with 43 broken tackles in 2015.
NFL.com Profile noted Prosise as an ascending running back prospect with the physical build to handle a workload, the athleticism to create for himself and the hands to keep stacking total yardage up. He has the acceleration and play strength to fit into an NFL offense.
ProFootballFocus: He made the most of his opportunities with the seventh best elusive rating in the class at 74.7. He also showed off the ability to make big plays, with 49.7% of his carries going to 15 yards or more, the 4th highest percentage in this class.
Prosise’s resume also includes Irish Special-Teams Player of the Year (2014)
Areas to improve: According to Scout.com Prosise’s areas of improvement include: pass protection, ball security and lack of experience. The overall lack of experience at the running back position is really the main question mark in regards to his draft prospects. When it comes to ball security, C.J. fumbled five times on 156 carries at Notre Dame, and with his relatively small hands, that could potentially be a recurring issue in the NFL. Plus, as I mentioned before, C.J. has a knack for staying on his feet which makes him a prime target for NFL quality ball-strippers.
The bottom line: C.J. ‘Calvin’ Prosise is simply a ‘football player.’ The fact that he can play safety, wide receiver and running back is proof enough. However in the NFL, I think we can safely assume that C.J.’s role in the NFL will closely resemble that of former Notre Dame dual threat Theo Riddick. In Detroit, Riddick has been making a name for himself as reliable runner and pass catcher. Looking at their respective careers with the IRISH, there is good reason to believe C.J. can repeat Riddick’s success. Prosise is clearly the stronger runner of the two, yet Riddick has been getting NFL carries. C.J. will be a dual threat nightmare for opposing linebackers AND he will have at least 5 touchdowns in his rookie year! Calling it.
When it comes to the needs of the Seahawks, C.J. Prosise might just be…Prosisely what they’ve been looking for.
Image by: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY
- Scouting Report: Nevada - September 1, 2016
- Scouting Report: Duke - August 13, 2016
- Scouting Report: NC State - August 5, 2016