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PFF scouting report: C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame

Below is the PFF draft profile for Notre Dame's C.J. Prosise, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.

Position fit: Initially fits as a committee or No. 2 back with the added ability to be a good receiver out of the backfield.

Stats to know:
• Ranked 34th in the nation in overall grade for RBs in 2015 (No. 13 in draft class), 24th as a runner (No. 10 in draft class)
• Ranked seventh in the nation in overall grade through Week 7, fifth as a runner
• Forced a missed tackle on average of once every 2.5 carries on power-blocking scheme plays. Once every 5.2 runs on an inside-zone blocking scheme

What he does best:
• Shows good vision and footwork on inside zone. Very patient reading zone blocks, maybe too patient at times
• Breaks arm tackles and gets yards through final contact when given the opportunity to run downhill
• Graded well on inside zone and power-blocking scheme plays, but definitely produced better on power plays
• Exceptional when he can reach the second level untouched. Reads the open field well. Has the burst and top speed to beat defensive back pursuit angles
• Prior experience at receiver is shown through his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make plays in space

Biggest concerns:
• Only one year of significant playing time at running back and missed part or all of the last few games of the season with multiple injuries
• Reached the second level untouched on a quarter of his total carries and nearly one-third of power-scheme runs. May be a little more reliant on first-level blocks than top backs in the nation
• Very little experience in pass protection. Stayed in to pass block just 61 times in 2015. His 94.7 pass blocking efficiency ranked 32nd out of top 55 draft-eligible backs
• Fumbled four times on 182 offensive touches in 2015

Bottom line:
Prosise handled the transition from receiver to running back well and was quite productive over the first half of the season. He was shut down pretty well by Clemson and Temple when Notre Dame’s offensive line really struggled in run blocking. However, when Prosise has something to work with up front, he excels. He may fit best in a team that runs more power-blocking schemes, but overall has shown the ability to succeed in various schemes. His receiving ability should be an asset in the NFL, but his lack of experience in pass protection may limit his opportunities on passing downs.

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