
Hugo, Oklahoma native, Derrick Locke burst onto the scene in 2007 as an unheralded RB who was thought of as a Trackster trying to play Big Time Football (how wrong the critics were). Consistently overlooked because of his size, Derrick has turned into one of the All-Time Cats certainly of this generation. To date, he has more than 1,700 yards rushing (907 in 2009 season), and 17 TDs.
Additionally, Derrick has over 500 yards receiving, and has also surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in KO Returns and 2 TDs. In 2008, Locke suffered a devestating knee injury which caused him to miss half of the season, and for some time there was a concern that he might never play football again.
Again, everyone points to his size as being the limiting factor to him having a productive NFL career, but his past actions (especially coming back from the knee injury) might want to cause some to reconsider his ability. His greatest assets are his speed and tenacity. Look for Derrick to be a 6th to 7th round player.
He depends on his speed, he gets touched and hes down...to weak for nfl
ReplyDeleteI disagree to a certain extent with that assessment. Locke is a tough kid who frequently gains yards after first contact. For a small kid, he runs well inside and outside. However, you are right that his speed is his best athletic tool. Derrick is about 5'9" 190# and runs 4.3 or better. At that size, he will never be a bruising runner. But his speed is uncommonly good, and he has much better balance than you suggest. He is also a good pass receiver, although this aspect of his game can still improve. Finally, of course, he is an electrifying kick returner....which is further evidence of his toughness.
ReplyDeleteObviously, Locke is not an every-down NFL back because of his size. But he is fast enough and tough enough to play on Sundays as a kick returner and third down back if he lands in the right city.