03/15/2011 - Nebraska Pro day: 18 players worked out indoors on FieldTurf. RB Roy Helu (6-0 3/8, 220) stood on his combine numbers and did position drills. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com
Full Roy Helu News WireOverview
Helu, Jr. left Lincoln fourth on the school's career rushing list despite not being the No. 1 option during most of his career. His most productive season came as a senior, posting career highs of 1,245 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on only 188 attempts to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors.
Helu played in seven games as a freshman, finishing with 45 carries for 209 yards. As a sophomore, he finished as the team's leading rusher with 803 yards on 125 carries with seven touchdowns despite starting just two games. He added 25 receptions for 266 yards.
Taking over as the top gun in 2009, Helu rushed 220 times for 1,147 yards with nine scores, also catching 19 passes for 149 yards.
The fact Helu did not carry the full load at Nebraska in 2010, splitting carries with Rex Burkhead, worries some scouts. But when he got his opportunities to shine, like his 28 carry, 307-yard, three-touchdown performance against Missouri, he displayed a confident and tough running style.
Helu should be picked in the middle rounds and should, at worst, have a decent career as a backup in the NFL. If he can continue to improve his vision and decisiveness, he has the chance to be productive.
Analysis
Strengths: Very explosive runner with great acceleration to the hole. Shows very good patience to let blocks develop in front of him. Owns the breakaway speed to take it all the way once at the second level. Shows good vision and has a nice cutback move to gain extra yardage. Accelerates quickly off his cut. Carries out play fakes well. Bounces outside, able to get the corner. Breaks through arm tackles, lowers his shoulder and plows ahead for extra yards in the open field. Utilizes the stiff arm well. Displays great agility, regularly makes the first defender miss. Runs good routes and makes good use of head and body fakes to create separation. Possesses leadership qualities, earned a reputation for being a real team player.
Weaknesses:
Often hesitant at the line of scrimmage, neutralizing his size and speed. Not consistent as an inside power runner, goes down too easily at times. Does not keep his legs moving when wrapped up. Offers very little in pass protection, tends to lunge at the defender and is prone to missing blocks. Can get overwhelmed by the pass rush. Ineffective cut blocker. Plays on his heels and struggles handling a speed rusher. Has poor awareness of who to pick up when lead blocking. Breaks out of his stance early and can give away the snap count. Was not used much in the passing game this past season, though he has experience on swing passes.
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