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Deneric Prince is UDFA to keep an eye on for KC Chiefs

By Stacy D. Smith

ORLANDO, ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 03: Deneric Prince #8 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane outruns Richie Grant #27 of the Central Florida Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium on October 3, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 03: Deneric Prince #8 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane outruns Richie Grant #27 of the Central Florida Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium on October 3, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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Nov 14, 2020; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs defensive back Cam Jones (2) dives to tackle Tulsa Golden Hurricane running back Deneric Prince (8) during the third quarter at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. TU won the game 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs defensive back Cam Jones (2) dives to tackle Tulsa Golden Hurricane running back Deneric Prince (8) during the third quarter at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. TU won the game 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Deneric Prince vs. Southern Methodist

Prince proves yet again that he simply doesn’t need much room to create a chunk play. He took a first quarter handoff and found a gap on the left side and burst through it for a 15-yard gain. Two plays later, he adjusts to a poorly-thrown ball to the flat and gets upfield for a 17-yard reception. The best part of that play was despite Prince being on the left boundary, he turned back into the field of play to truck SMU safety Roderick Roberson, Jr. That kind of attitude on a back of his stature has been missing in Kansas City.

A few runs in the middle frames made it clear that despite Prince’s athleticism, his lateral agility leaves something to be desired. Some of his east-west running resulted in several short gains. He can get to the corner, but with mixed results. There’s a very good chance he’ll do that less often at the next level. His bread and butter is running the ball between the tackles.

My favorite run in this game was a 43-yard run early in the third quarter. Prince took the handoff and waited patiently until a cutback lane opened up in the middle of Tulsa’s line. When the opportunity presented itself, he ripped through SMU’s second level and made a charging JaQwondis Burns miss on his way upfield. He was ultimately pushed out of bounds around the Mustang’s six-yard line.

Again, Prince’s inability to get to the corner consistently showed up on two Tulsa red zone situations. He’s just not the man for toss or stretch plays, but if you play to his strengths, he’ll be quite effective on inside runs. He’s a bit like Clyde Edwards-Helaire in that way. This was an impressive performance by Prince, but still gives you a full picture of his strengths and weaknesses.

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