Saturday Blitz
Fansided

FAU Football: 5 reasons Devin Singletary is nation’s best running back

By Patrick Mayhorn

(Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Devin Singletary #5 of the Florida Atlantic Owls runs past Jorian Clark #20 of the Rice Owls for a big gain at Rice Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Devin Singletary #5 of the Florida Atlantic Owls runs past Jorian Clark #20 of the Rice Owls for a big gain at Rice Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

3. Speed

Singletary doesn’t have traditional straight line track speed. He’ll probably run a 40 time somewhere in the 4.5s, but he has something far more valuable. Functional speed.

Functional speed, in the context of a college football running back, means that he has enough speed to break big runs, but not so much speed that he can’t control his body. Some players are too fast for their own good, and if they don’t learn to control it, they’ll never be able to consistently make plays.

That’s not a problem for Singletary. Every step and move he makes is very controlled, and planned out. Singletary doesn’t outrun his limitations, or try to be someone he’s not. This is the exact skillset that makes guys like Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley so dangerous.

Singletary absolutely has the speed to burst through the hole, or get to the edge. He’s not going to be chased down by linemen any time soon. However, it’s his acceleration and body control that make him a more complete and impressive back.

That’s what makes him so good in between the tackles. He’s able to identify holes, and find them quickly, while keeping his feet chopping under him without trying to do too much. Singletary is an extremely smart back, and that takes me to my next point.

Home/Conference USA