WATCH: Breece Hall takes victory lap over competition following NFL Combine performance
Iowa State running back Breece Hall had a strong showing at the NFL Combine. Hall checked in at 5-foot-11, 217 pounds and officially came in with a 4.39 second 30-yard dash. He also topped all running backs with a 40 inch vertical, and tied for third with a 10’6″ broad jump.
As a whole, Hall impressed all-around at the NFL Combine. He made his case to be the top running back in this draft class, and after his performance, he certainly believes that he did that.
“I always said that I was RB1 when I was down here and I feel like today I did that,” Hall said after his strong NFL Combine performance. “Just being 218 to 220 and being able to run a 4.39, being able to catch the ball, how efficient I was in every drill, today was just my day to showcase everything I did and I feel like I proved that I was RB1 today.”
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker, likely Hall’s stiffest competition to be the first running back off of the board in April’s NFL Draft, also had a strong showing at the Combine. Even though both standout threats out of the backfield impressed, only one can be the first running back taken. And Hall is vying to make sure that is him.
Where Hall stands among running backs in the NFL Draft
This past season was Hall’s third at Iowa State. As a freshman in 2019, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry, rushing for 897 yards and nine touchdowns, also adding 23 receptions for 252 yards and another score. In 2020, Hall averaged 5.6 yards on 279 carries, rushing for 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns with 23 receptions for 180 yards and two scores. This past season, Hall ran 253 times for 1,472 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He also caught 36 passes for 302 yards and three more touchdowns.
Overall, Hall rushed 718 times in his collegiate career for 3,941 yards and 50 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He also had 82 total receptions for 734 yards and six touchdowns.
Most mock drafts going around right now do not include any running backs in the first round. Though if Hall and Walker continue elevating their stocks in the coming weeks, that could certainly change.
ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay recently re-ranked his top five running backs in this year’s class. Walker topped the list, with Hall coming in at number two. James Cook, Kyren Williams, and Isaiah Spiller rounded out McShay’s top five running backs.