Sarodorick Thompson, Texas Tech RB

Games Watched: Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State

Pros:

  • Incredibly elusive
  • Super hard to tackle him in space
  • Reduces tackling surface well
  • Great change of directions allows for quick cuts
  • Frequently jukes defenders
  • Great vision to consistently make the right read as well as find big plays
  • Good patience to wait for holes to open up
  • Good play speed
  • Decent contact balance on lower body hits
  • Has the ability to get push and fall forward
  • Flashes potential as a good receiver, good ball skills when focused
  • Good strength and eagerness as a blocker, solid technique as well

Cons:

  • Extremely slow out off the snap, gives time for defenders
  • Doesn’t accelerate to top speed incredibly quick
  • Not great upper body contact balance
  • Play speed is good not great
  • Loses focus as a receiver leading to drops

Summary: SaRodorick Thompson is an incredibly elusive back who not only makes himself slippery but can juke defenders out of their shoes. He has ideal size for a running back and has decent play speed, as well as phenomenal vision and patience. He doesn’t accelerate extremely fast and his contact balance and power isn’t amazing. He does have potential as a 3 down back with potential as a receiver and great blocking ability.

Hopeful Improvements: Thompson could certainly be less lackadaisical off the snap in 2020. He should also work on his upper half contact balance which should be better considering his size, and most importantly he should work on consistency with ball skills and focus as a receiver to be a true 3 down back. 

Grade: Sarodorick Thompson gets an early Round 3 grade from me. I like him a lot because he has a lot of great qualities and doesn’t have many weaknesses either, and I love that he has 3 down potential.