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2021 NFL Draft: Top 5 late-round steals at running back

By Sonny Martinez

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the fourth quarter on September 26, 2020 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Hubbard had 101 yards. OSU won 27-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the fourth quarter on September 26, 2020 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Hubbard had 101 yards. OSU won 27-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 19: Trey Sermon #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gets upended by A.J. Hampton #11 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first quarter of the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 19: Trey Sermon #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gets upended by A.J. Hampton #11 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first quarter of the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

In terms of draft location, Trey Sermon is one of the most difficult players to project. If you look at mock drafts, you’ll see Sermon’s name ranging anywhere from mid-third round to seventh round. Sermon definitely has the talent and skill to be a Day 2 pick, but is looking like he will fall to Day 3.

The former four-star recruit had 33 offers but ultimately chose Oklahoma. He left Norman for Ohio State to better his chance at a national title and almost succeeded. He averaged almost 1.5 yards per carry more during his time in Columbus which is surprising considering the Big Ten’s defensive play versus the Big 12’s sometimes non-existent defenses. It’s unlikely that his NFL career will match his time at Ohio State, but he was still a great back even before he got there.

Over his four-year college career, Sermon ran for 2,946 yards and 26 touchdowns.

One of the few red flags on Sermon is the separated shoulder he suffered in the national title game. He’s rehabbed the injury, and leaving the national championship game is something that haunts Sermon and will add even more fuel to his fire.

Sermon is pretty consistent and very reliable. He knows how to turn it on when it’s needed. In 2020, the Ohio State passing offense couldn’t do anything against Northwestern. Sermon put the Buckeyes on his back, running for 331 yards and two touchdowns in a 22-10 win in the Big Ten Championship. He followed that up with a 193-yard game against Clemson in the national semifinal.

Sermon is 6-foot-0, 215 pounds, which is great size for an NFL running back already. He’s a solid pass blocker which was a major benefit to Justin Fields at Ohio State.

One of the major drawbacks to Sermon is he’s a much better runner when big holes are opened up for him rather than running between the tackles. He can still make good cuts and evade defenders, but if you give him room, he’s much more dangerous.

If you look at his skill set overall, the first place that comes to mind for Sermon to land in the NFL is with the Colts. He and Jonathan Taylor would be an excellent 1-2 punch and the Indy offensive line would do exactly what Sermon needs to succeed.

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