Small-school player who will be an NFL force

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Small-school player who will be an NFL force: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri

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[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=nfldrafthonorroll&prov=tsn&type=lgns&print=1 (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=nfldrafthonorroll&prov=tsn&type=lgns&print=1)

[YardRat]

Are you trying to convince yourself, or what?

[Mitchy moo]

Are you trying to convince yourself, or what?


Twice.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Xavier Omon, running back – Northwest Missouri State (7th round-undrafted)

With the influx of junior running backs in this year’s draft class, many of the top have fallen completely off the radar. Coming from Division II Northwest Missouri State, Omon did not get the publicity of some of the other top backs but you would be hard-pressed to find a more durable workhorse over the last four years. Omon has a lot of tread on his tires, having carried the ball 1,271 times over the last four years (over 250 more carries than Mike Hart over the same span) and lacks the speed to be a big play threat at the next level. Regardless, Omon has good size (5-foot-11, 228) and is very tough to bring down, showcasing excellent power between the tackles. Decorated as the NCAA Division II 2007 rushing leader, Omon displays good vision and has underrated shiftiness as he shows the ability to make the first guy miss as well as elude defenders in space. A complete back, Omon is also a very good blocker and could potentially make the move to fullback in the NFL.

http://www.ravens24x7.com/column_view.php?cid=63&id=2370&view=archive

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Are you trying to convince yourself, or what?

Convince myself of what? I was just looking around for some info and this is what I found.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Overview and Analysis

Omon led Division II with 2,337 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns as a senior. He became the first back in NCAA history to run for more than 1,500 yards each of his four seasons. He brings a tough downhill running style, an incredibly strong lower body, vision, balance, and work ethic scouts and coaches look for in a running back. He lacks the speed to be a home-run type back but he is tough to bring down, works hard, and gets the tough yards. He will be a very good backup in the NFL and even though he lacks home run speed, expect him to be drafted late due to his production and running style.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.d2football.com/images/pro_hope/omon_action.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.d2football.com/prohopefuls/&h=200&w=152&sz=13&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=0-dZORjDIjyxIM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=79&prev=/images%3Fq%3DXavier%2BOmon%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

[YardRat]

Your post was very Dorothy-from-Oz-ish.

I got this terrible visual of you clicking the heels of ruby-red turf spikes repeating the mantra "Small-school player who will be an NFL force: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri. Small-school player who will be an NFL force: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri. Small-school player who will be an NFL force: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri..."

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Your post was very Dorothy-from-Oz-ish.

I got this terrible visual of you clicking the heels of ruby-red turf spikes repeating the mantra "Small-school player who will be an NFL force: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri. Small-school player who will be an NFL force: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri. Small-school player who will be an NFL force: Xavier Omon, RB, Northwest Missouri..."

No, that is what it says in the link, I don't know what is wrong with the zone lately that links aren't working. I fixed the link for it to make more sense.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

http://gonnersportstalk.blogspot.com/2008/04/sleepers-in-2008-nfl-draft.html

1) Xavier Omon RB Northwest Missouri State University-Yes I might be biased, but I have seen him play for the past two years in person and ladies and gentleman the man flat out has game. Over 2,300 yards this last season and is the only back in any division college football to rush for over 1,500 yards in four consecutive seasons. He rushed for over 600 yards in two playoff games (309 against Chadron State and 292 against Grand Valley State). Yes he doesn't have Darren McFadden speed but the guy has pretty good speed running a 4.55 40 yard dash. I can easily see Omon being taken in the late rounds (probably 6th or 7th round).

[TigerJ]

I think the drafting of Omon has a lot to do with Buffalo's disappointment in Dwayne Wright's productivity last season, or lack thereof.

[yordad]

I think the drafting of Omon has a lot to do with Buffalo's disappointment in Dwayne Wright's productivity last season, or lack thereof. Maybe not. They did get rid of A-Train. And, it was the 6th round.

I have seen very little Omon, but I have seen some. He looked a lot like Lynch to me. If Lynch put on 10- 15 more pounds of muscle, they cold be clones. If Lynch put on that weight he probably wouldn't run a 4.46 anymore.

What I am saying is, he has moves. Deceptively shifty. Hit the hole hard. Spins. Excellent vision. And, he may not have top end track speed, but you gotta take a proper angle on this guy. He can jump over people. I am told his pro day was more impressive then the combine. He is very powerful. And, experienced.

So, basically a buffed out Lynch. He has potential. I think he will be a preseason stud. He should pass Wright on the depth chart. But, hopefully he never sees time in the game, because the real Lynch is a beast. And Jackson's got mad skills. But, he could be a good sleeper.

[Mad Max]

He rushed for over 600 yards in two playoff games (309 against Chadron State and 292 against Grand Valley State).

How'd that kid Danny Woodhead look? Kiper/ESPN were pimping him good?

(BTW the Jesters picked Woodhead up)

[Don't Panic]

Well said yordad... the more I look at him, I love this kid. Easily my favorite pick after round three. We have such a complete stable of RBs right now. I'd venture top 5 in the league top to bottom. Nothing wrong with having that kind of depth. As was said, this kid is basically a trade for A-Train. I can definitely live with that.

[casdhf]

I have no problem with keeping 4 HBs on the roster. If Lynch goes down, we'll need 3 decent guys behind him.

[mysticsoto]

I think the drafting of Omon has a lot to do with Buffalo's disappointment in Dwayne Wright's productivity last season, or lack thereof.

That could be, though it seems quick to make that kind of a judgement after one year. That being said, perhaps there are other intangibles like work ethic, etc that we are not privy to...

[Jeff1220]

Xavier Omon, running back – Northwest Missouri State (7th round-undrafted)
A complete back, Omon is also a very good blocker and could potentially make the move to fullback in the NFL.

http://www.ravens24x7.com/column_view.php?cid=63&id=2370&view=archive

Or is this what they have in mind? :scratch:

[madness]

Or is this what they have in mind? :scratch:

I think he's here to challenge for 3rd RB. Wright had trouble handling blocking schemes and couldn't stay on the field.

He doesn't seem like a FB at all from these highlights.


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