Top 10 running backs in the 2019 NFL Draft

#9 Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska

Ozigbo literally splits some defenders who are trying to take him to the ground and uses his off-arm very well to keep them away from his body

One of the more lesser-known names among average college football fans, Devine Ozigbo has quickly climbed up my board after combining for just over 1000 rushing yards over his first three years at Nebraska.

The big back established himself as the workhorse in that offense last season, going for almost 1300 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns on 7.0 yards per carry. He might not have been a household name during his collegiate career, but I think that could change in the pros.

Ozigbo can cut down the length of his strides and hesitate to set up his cuts. He has the ability to transition his speed through his breaks and displays incredible mobility in his hips, which enables him to slice underneath blocks and leave defenders a step behind on him after trying to redirect.

He can have his lower body evade a tackler laterally while pushing that guy off himself with his arm. Ozigbo presses the line in order to set up defenders squeezing into the middle and opening up space to escape.

He combines excellent footwork with dropping his weight to find ways to take advantage of pursuing defenders and has the burst to beat angles towards the sideline.

With more than adequate speed to the outside he can also set up defenders with a little one-two step and then cut upfield underneath of them while accelerating through the cut and having them reach out for him.

At six foot, 235 pounds Ozigbo is a load to bring down. He runs through arm tackles when he can get rolling and when he collides with defenders you can hear shoulder pads popping. He drags opponents on his back and consistently stretches forward.

Ozigbo literally splits some defenders who are trying to take him to the ground and uses his off-arm very well to keep them away from his body, while high-stepping through the grasps of potential tacklers.

The heavy bruiser has an understanding for down and distances and he knows when to bury his head into the chest of a big defensive tackle to convert for a new first down.

For as powerful as he is however, the former Cornhusker is a smooth receiver who can make some tough catches on passes with bad ball-placement, through concentration and trust in his hands.

Ozigbo can get a little sloppy with ball-security when he finishes runs, even though it led to just two fumbles last season. He had only one successful season in a primary role with the Cornhuskers, as he failed to go over 500 yards through his first three years on campus and pretty much combined for the numbers he put together as a senior.

While he did look great in a workhorse role last season, he has yet to prove he can do that over the course of multiple years and has been fighting through some nagging bruises during his collegiate career.

Nevertheless, I think Ozigbo could be a diamond in the rough and he reminds me a lot of Jay Ajayi coming out of Boise State when I think of a physically strong runner with excellent feet. There are plenty of guys with much better production in this draft, but I am willing to take a day two gamble and develop this kid. He could be special down the road.