ESPN's analysis of Gerald Riggs:
Strengths: Is a big, physical north-south type runner. Is tall, well built and powerful. Shows very good burst to the hole for a back his size. He shows good burst through the LOS for a back his size. Can be a powerful back when he runs with good pad-level. He breaks a lot of tackles, keeps his legs pumping and will push the pile. He has an excellent stiff arm in the open field. He shows much improved vision and patience as a back. He does a good job of hitting the cutback lane. Has very good body control and balance. Shows good COD skills and is able to plant and drive quickly without losing too much in transition. He runs over smaller defenders in space. He has very good size and strength in the phone booth as a blocker. Shows a lot of upside as a blocker. Is maturing as a player and person.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal top-end speed. Is not a huge threat as an outside runner. Will struggle to consistently turn the corner as an outside runner in the NFL. He won't run away from many defenders and won't make many defenders miss in the open field. Must run with more consistent leverage in order to maximize his size and strength. He is still inexperienced and needs a lot of refining in the passing game. He lacks a great feel as a route runner. He does not show a consistent ability to adjust to the poorly thrown ball. He will never be a great mismatch-type of RB that can flex out and work downfield. He has great size and power as a blocker but needs to improve his technique. He lacks awareness when picking up the blitz. He gets in position too late at times and will get caught lunging. Needs to show more consistent leverage at the POA as a blocker.
Overall: Riggs Jr. took a while to develop and only had 63 carries in his first two seasons at Tennessee. However, after beginning his junior season as a backup to Cedric Houston, Riggs Jr. emerged as the Vols' leading rusher with 1,107 yards and six TDs on 193 carries. Riggs Jr. suffered a season-ending ankle injury vs. Alabama (Oct. 22) and finished his senior year with 530 yards and three touchdowns on 127 carries (4.2 ypc). Riggs Jr., whose father Gerald was a three-time Pro Bowl RB in the NFL (Redskins and Falcons), was primed for a monster season in 2005 after really maturing as a football player in 2004, but Riggs Jr. failed to live up to expectations in the six games he played before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Riggs Jr. lacks explosive speed and he still has a lot of room to grow in the passing game both as a receiver and blocker. However, he is a big, powerful north-south runner who will wear an opponent down if given enough carries in a game. Riggs Jr. shares some similar qualities with former Vol Jamal Lewis (Ravens), except Lewis is bigger and runs with more consistent pad-level. If utilized as a load-carrier in a power-running or zone-blocking offensive scheme, Riggs Jr. has the potential to become an impact starting running back in the NFL. Between now and the draft, Riggs must rehab his ankle and legitimize his 4.5 40-yard dash speed at the combine. As it stands right now, Riggs Jr. is a late-second or third round draft prospect in the 2006 class.
