Rutgers RB Rice to enter draft

[az jam]

Rutgers running back Rice will enter NFL draft

Rutgers standout Ray Rice will enter the NFL draft, a person close to the running back told ESPN's Joe Schad on Tuesday.

The junior ran for 280 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-30 win over Ball State in the International Bowl on Saturday.


Rice led the Rutgers program to national prominence including bowl victories the past two seasons.

Rice finished the season with 2,012 rushing yards. He set a school record with 25 touchdowns this season and had gone over 100 yards in a school-record eight straight games.

"When it's all said and done, Ray's going to be known as one of the greatest players in Rutgers history," senior offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah said after the International Bowl win. "Just being part of his whole career and helping him accomplish what he has, has been great."

For his career, Rice racked up 4,926 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns over three seasons.

 

[Southpaw]

3rd rounder.

 

[Mitch]

I like this kid a lot. Not a burner, per se, but a real gamer. Would love to see him in Cardinal red next year.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

If he's available in the third round - the Cards better pull a "Matt Leinart" and not even take ten seconds off the allotted draft time between picks.

 

[Mitch]

If he's available in the third round - the Cards better pull a "Matt Leinart" and not even take ten seconds off the allotted draft time between picks.

Agreed...but can't see him lasting to the middle of round three. Early second seems about right.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I like this kid a lot. Not a burner, per se, but a real gamer. Would love to see him in Cardinal red next year.

Stats, 40 times, need, etc., etc., aside.

I just really like this kid as a football player. Go RU!

 

[az jam]

He is listed at 5'9" 200 lbs with a 4.45 in the 40. We will find out his real numbers at the Combine.

 

[Shogun]

*yawn*

 

[joeshmo]

Agreed...but can't see him lasting to the middle of round three. Early second seems about right.

With juniors such as -
- Kevin Smith (RB) Central Florida
- Jamaal Charles (RB) Texas
- Rashard Mendenhall (RB) - Illinois
already making the jump to the NFL and Stewart still making his decision Rice could easily fall very fast and hard.

 

[overseascardfan]

I am going to throw Slaton, Torain & Hart out there for possible 3rd round picks.

If we miss out this year guys like Wells, Devine, Spiller, Lucky, & Edge's cousin at the U will come out next year.

 

[red desert]

I like this kid a lot. Not a burner, per se, but a real gamer. Would love to see him in Cardinal red next year.

Sounds like Marcell Shipp, 'cept smaller. If that's the case, I say bring him in.

 

[Second Deck]

I would not mind at all taking Rice in the 2nd provided his numbers hold up at the combine. I love the kids attitude and also like the Rutgers coach.

 

[Pariah]

"When it's all said and done, Ray's going to be known as one of the greatest players in Rutgers history," senior offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah said after the International Bowl win.

Uh, it IS all said and done.

 

[az jam]

Size is similar to JJ Arington except JJ weighs about 15 lbs more. Not sure we want a small back. Would he be anything more than a 3rd down back?

Would prefer Mendinghall or Stewart if he comes out.

 

[Matt L]

Torain's got better size. I really wonder what he is going to run in the fourty cause Torain is a real bruiser.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Torain's got better size. I really wonder what he is going to run in the fourty cause Torain is a real bruiser.

Will all you ASU homers just drop it already. I actually really like Torian but anyone who thinks he is getting drafted anywhere before Round 6 is kidding themselves.

I guarantee the college football fans who don't live in AZ on this MB are like "who the hell is Ryan Torian?" He doesn't exactly have a long history of production and he got hurt half way through his "big" year. And I am not thinking he is going to run a 4.3 or anything.

He isn't Chris Henry after all

 

[ItsInTheCards]

Will all you ASU homers just drop it already. I actually really like Torian but anyone who thinks he is getting drafted anywhere before Round 6 is kidding themselves.

I guarantee the college football fans who don't live in AZ on this MB are like "who the hell is Ryan Torian?" He doesn't exactly have a long history of production and he got hurt half way through his "big" year. And I am not thinking he is going to run a 4.3 or anything.

He isn't Chris Henry after all

I actually feel the same way about how Antoine Cason's name is thrown around here.....to be expected I guess seeing as its an Arizona message board

then again, I read all that kind of stuff as well about the freakin Canes on the Phins board as well

 

[devilfan02]

We already have Ray Rice. His name's JJ Arrington

 

[devilfan02]

Will all you ASU homers just drop it already. I actually really like Torian but anyone who thinks he is getting drafted anywhere before Round 6 is kidding themselves.

I guarantee the college football fans who don't live in AZ on this MB are like "who the hell is Ryan Torian?" He doesn't exactly have a long history of production and he got hurt half way through his "big" year. And I am not thinking he is going to run a 4.3 or anything.

He isn't Chris Henry after all

Kyper had him as his #1 senior RB at one point before he got injured. He has size, speed, and runs hard. Before his injury he would have definitely been a top-3 round pick.

As the last poster said, the same thing can be said for Cason. If this wasn't an AZ message board there wouldn't be anywhere near the hype

 

[DoTheDew]

The last thing a team that has trouble keeping defenders out of the backfield on running plays needs, is a back who is going to have trouble breaking tackles in the NFL with defenders that have 50-150 lbs on him each. He'd probably be a great returner but we have breaston.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Kyper had him as his #1 senior RB at one point before he got injured. He has size, speed, and runs hard. Before his injury he would have definitely been a top-3 round pick.

As the last poster said, the same thing can be said for Cason. If this wasn't an AZ message board there wouldn't be anywhere near the hype

Ahh sweet - the biggest homer of all comes out of the woodwork. Where's your running mate AZBALLER?

We all have no idea how the combines will turn out but Cason IS the Thorpe award winner. And he played HUUUGE in his teams only national game (you know opposed to choking on the chicken bone in three nationally televised games). Cason might not be the first CB picked but I can assure you he will not drop out of the first round. And thats not homerism - he was getting love LAST YEAR as a #1 pick and had an even better year this year.

And you say "before the injury" like that doesn't play into the drafting process. Hell heres an analogy you might understand. Sam Keller likely would have been drafted had he finished the season - but since he didn't - good luck seeing him on an NFL roster next year. Out of sight out of mind for mid round draft picks.

I'll have to go check out this Kyper guy you talk of - but something tells me the actual Mel Kiper doesn't have Torian anywhere near his draft board

 

[Arizona's Finest]

The last thing a team that has trouble keeping defenders out of the backfield on running plays needs, is a back who is going to have trouble breaking tackles in the NFL with defenders that have 50-150 lbs on him each. He'd probably be a great returner but we have breaston.

I think everyone is focusing on the measurables just a little too much. Has anyone ever watched this guy run before? Does he look ANYTHING like JJ Arrington to any of you? And Steve Breaston?LOL

He just plain knows how to run and he is a powerful SOB - even with that small frame - keep in mind all the other backs drafted late who ended up being stars in the NFL. IMHO this kid fits that mold as well.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Will all you ASU homers just drop it already. I actually really like Torian but anyone who thinks he is getting drafted anywhere before Round 6 is kidding themselves.

I guarantee the college football fans who don't live in AZ on this MB are like "who the hell is Ryan Torian?" He doesn't exactly have a long history of production and he got hurt half way through his "big" year. And I am not thinking he is going to run a 4.3 or anything.

He isn't Chris Henry after all

agreed. he's a bruiser. and i loved watching him run. but i think he'll time slower than molassas. he's not a high draft pick, particularly in the wake of his injury.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Kyper had him as his #1 senior RB at one point before he got injured. He has size, speed, and runs hard. Before his injury he would have definitely been a top-3 round pick.

As the last poster said, the same thing can be said for Cason. If this wasn't an AZ message board there wouldn't be anywhere near the hype

completely disagree. you see cason's name pop up nationally all year. you haven't heard torain's name nationally in a looooooong time, not since preseason.

cason will go first round. torain will not go until 5th. and i'm an asu football fan.

 

[Skkorpion]

Neither the combine numbers nor the opinions of dueling "experts" interest me in the least. Do these kids produce and make big plays against good competition? Those things matter.