Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall
Size:
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 206 pounds
Arm Length: 31 1/4"
Hand Size: 8 5/8"
Accomplishments:
Preseason First Team All-Sun Belt Conference (2023)
“Raheen Ali is a one-cut slasher back who has the open-field acceleration to create explosive plays running the football.”
Strengths:
Open-field acceleration
Vision
Can work cut-back lanes
Concerns:
Ball security
Contact balance
Pass pro
Film Analysis:
Rasheen Ali is an experienced running back who has eclipsed 1,100 yards twice during his career and scored more than 40 touchdowns during his career at Marshall. Ali possesses the psychical traits of being a quick accelerator and has great vision, both of which have helped him become a very productive runner throughout his career.
Ali shows best on zone-run plays where he understands how to read second-level defenders, which allows him to work the front side of a zone play for any cut-back opportunities. Once Ali finds a hole, he is decisive and accelerates through the hole, quickly getting to the second level of the defense.
Ali profiles as a high-cut back who has good stride length that he uses to separate from defenders. In the open field, Ali's speed is great. He not only runs away from defenders but can continue to create separation. During Ali’s career, he has multiple touchdown runs of 50-plus yards.
The area of concern for Ali on the next level is that he may be usage-specific due to his lack of overall body mass. Ali is a one-cut slasher back who does well when he has the creases to operate. But on plays where he has to run through tackles and power through defenders, his lack of good body mass comes into play. Ali is an upright runner at times, which could leave him susceptible to big-time hits in between the tackles.
Overall, Ali’s skill set shows a clear path for him to carve out a role for himself in the NFL. And if put in the right situation, he can pull off some big-time runs for an offense.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role-Specific Contributor
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Virginia Tech (2023), Georgia State (2023), Appalachian State (2023), UTSA (2023)
