Todd McShay compares Jahmyr Gibbs to explosive NFL running backs
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs is pretty special, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay and he compares to some interesting NFL running backs. After he transferred from Georgia Tech, Gibbs’ talents were on full display. McShay pegged Gibbs as a first-round talent while he compared him to current explosive NFL running backs.
If the names Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara sound good, that’s Gibbs in a nutshell.
“He’s special,” McShay said on the First Draft Podcast. “He’s Alvin Kamara, he’s Dalvin Cook, and it’s gonna be the same thing with both of them, right? Injuries, can they stay healthy? But when they’re on the field and they’re 100%, they change the game. They catch the ball, create, force missed tackles and they have that second gear here.
“Jahmyr Gibbs is the fastest player on the Alabama team. When I sat down in the meetings and talked to their staff, he had 23 point something miles per hour. This dude not only is shifting left and right and twitchy and can make the cuts, he is explosive fast. Wide receiver fast. So to me if you’re going to take a running back, that’s the guy you want. If you can’t get a Bijan Robinson, I would take him late in the first round.”
In 12 games last season, Gibbs had 151 carries, 926 yards, seven touchdowns, 6.1 yards per carry, 44 catches, 444 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. In his career, Gibbs had 383 carries, 2,132 yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.6 yards per carry, 103 catches, 1,212 yards and eight touchdown receptions.
“They’re going to get a pick. They’re going to get a special guy,” Alabama linebacker Will Anderson said earlier this month. “He’s very good, very athletic, can move. I’m super excited to see where his future is. His cuts are ridiculous, his top end speed is crazy, trying to catch him downhill is crazy. Any team that gets him is going to be very blessed to have him.”
Comparing Gibbs to those NFL running backs shows just how special he truly can be.
As a member of the Class of 2020, Gibbs was a four-star prospect out of Dalton (Ga.) High, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 13 overall prospect in the state, the No. 9 running back prospect in the class and the No. 79 overall prospect in the class.
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event is located at the plaza just outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft will begin 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft is broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.