PROSPECT SUMMARY – CALEB HUNTLEY

Caleb Huntley is a well put together runner that runs with plenty of energy. He is a bit of a high-leveled running style, but he’s able to display bend when the first hint of contact enters his parameters. Staying on schedule and then using his body structure when he gets to certain locations, he makes it tough on tacklers to target and successfully tackle his frame. Frequently bouncing off of tacklers, he’s a build-up speed runner that can create momentum when given straight away planes. His pass-catching production has been limited, but that may be a product of him being such a focal point of the team's rushing attack.

Ideal Role: Developmental No. 2 RB.

Scheme Fit: Man/Gap/Power blocking scheme.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Jordan Reid

Games watched: Miami-OH (2020), Eastern Michigan (2020), Northern Illinois (2020)

Best Game Studied: Eastern Michigan (2020)

Worst Game Studied: None

Vision: Huntley displays vision at the position. An on-course runner, much would have to happen for him to deter from how the play is drawn up. There are cuts he makes in spots, but for the betterment of his final season, he is a disciplined runner that can change his course of action if things change. He remains adamant about reaching points where runs are designed to go.

Footwork: Huntley is a high runner, but with a very physical nature. A well developed, but top-heavy frame limits him when wanting to alter directions as there are some extra stutters with his feet when wanting to change directions.

Contact Balance: Huntley makes the first defender bite down on his mouthpiece as he’s known to bring it when running. Unafraid to dish out contact, he’s also not shy with delivering it, either. Playing the punisher role has helped him with his running style as defenders become hesitant as games go on because of his build combined with the intensity that he runs with.

Durability: Huntley suffered an unspecified injury during the 2020 season that only allowed him to play in three games prior to opting out. Huntley also missed the final six games of the 2018 season due to an Achilles injury. Otherwise, he’s had a relatively clean bill of health. Possessing a well put together body structure, he’s proven that he can carry a heavy load of the work and withstand the physical demands of the position.

Explosiveness: More of a build-up and momentum runner than a right-now accelerator, when given a runway, he can reach top speed over the long haul. While he isn’t an angle destroyer, he can build up significant amounts of speed when given straight away paths.

Versatility: As a bigger rusher, play-callers were fixated on getting Huntley involved so much in the rushing game that he was hardly ever a point of emphasis as a pass-catching threat. He's not a natural hands-catcher or one QBs will target frequently out of the backfield as he has some difficulties with bringing the ball in cleanly. Huntley’s production as a receiver was limited, but due to a lack of exposure, in the small glimpses that we have seen of him targeted, his hands have been average.

Elusiveness: Not an overly elusive or dynamic rusher, he wastes little time with extraness and is a runner that wants to get right to the point. Huntley isn’t a runner that thrives off of creating extra opportunities based on moves created by his lonesome. Instead, he powers through tacklers by forcing them to take on and bring down his body frame.

Ball Security: An overall consistent ball-carrier, he’s had spots here and there where he’s had a fumble, but not enough to label it as an issue. Keeping the ball close to his body has helped him display proper ball security and points of pressure in order to hand on to it. Even when running through traffic, he ensures to be careful with where and how he has the ball positioned.

Passing Down Skills: Huntley won’t provide much value in the passing game as a receiver. As evident by his lack of targets, he wasn’t relied upon in that fashion. Still a relatively unknown as a pass-catcher, his lack of targets creates a question of if he can play on third down. His reliance as a pass protector remains a question mark too because of the lack of reps at doing so.

Discipline: An extremely disciplined runner, Huntley is a stick-to-the-script runner. He hardly ever bounces runs prematurely or performs tactics that go against the rules of the play. Sticking to the plan, he doesn’t alter his approach until he gets to assigned locations with defenders bearing down on him.