2014 NFL Combine Preview: Five Running Backs to Watch

Nov 9, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; USC Trojans running back Silas Redd (25) runs in for a touchdown ahead of California Golden Bears cornerback Cameron Walker (14) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

4. Silas Redd

School: USC
Watch to Watch: Medicals
2013 Stats: 81 carries, 376 yards, one touchdown; 10 receptions; 45 yards, one touchdown
Met with Chiefs: No

You may remember Silas Redd as being one of the Penn State players to transfer from the university after the world became aware of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Redd, who started as a sophomore at Penn State, transferred to USC for his final two years of eligibility after the NCAA declared their sanctions on the Penn State program.

Things were not great for Redd at USC either. Coaching problems and a knee injury hurt his production and playing time at USC. However, Redd did average 5.4 yards per carry in his junior year at USC, and made a few big plays out of the backfield as a receiver. With better coaching, he may have been more productive.

The question now for Redd is whether or not he is healthy. We don’t know exactly what the extent of Redd’s knee injury is, but he did not require surgery. However, he did miss the team’s bowl game because of the injury, even with all the time off to wait for it to heal. Redd also missed time at the beginning of the season due to an unrelated injury. Injuries were not a problem for him before his senior year, so keep that in mind. Still, how healthy he is will have a big impact on his draft stock.

When healthy, Redd is a very good back. When Redd transferred to USC, he was considered the missing piece to the Trojans that would propel them into National Championship contention. Obviously that didn’t happen, but it gives you an indication of how Redd is viewed as a back. He’s small, but stocky (200 pounds), is expected to run in the 4.4s, and was productive in college.

Redd can do a lot for his stock at the combine.