Can La’Mical Perine take over for Le’Veon Bell as the Jets’ RB1 in 2021? Sam Crnic breaks down Perine’s NCAA All-22 film at Florida.
2020 Jets draft class film breakdowns:
With questions surrounding Le’Veon Bell’s future with the team, it was imperative for the Jets to go young at the running back position. In an attempt to find the next Bilal Powell, in terms of longevity and toughness, drafting a running back on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL draft was essential. Joe Douglas got his prospect of choice in the fourth round at No. 120 overall: Florida product La’Mical Perine.
- Hometown: Mobile, AL
- High School: Theodore High School (AL)
- Position: RB
- School: Florida
- Height: 5’11
- Weight: 216 lb
Ranked eighth in Florida history in career rushing yards (2,485) and ninth in receiving yards (674), La’Mical Perine looks to contribute to the Jets offense as soon as possible. The MVP of the 2019 Orange Bowl after rushing for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, Perine was a large factor in Florida’s offense throughout the majority of his four-year career.
Like many RBs from Florida, Perine idolized the journeyman Frank Gore, who is now his teammate. This gives La’Mical a perfect opportunity to be mentored by one of the games’ greatest, similar to young Bills back Devin Singletary in 2019.
A large part of Singletary’s adjustment to the NFL, Devin shared Gore’s mentorship and advice:
“He helped me out a lot… At the end of the day, football is football — he let me know that. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low, just stay in the middle.”
Film
On the attack, Perine stays patient enough to let the first-level blocks in front of him develop, leading to a nice lane down the left side. Off the hesitation, Perine displays a solid burst to make his way towards the second-level block. Instead of working his way to the sideline, he cuts back inside to get a few extra yards on the play.
Off the catch, Perine makes his way towards the incoming defender instead of the sideline; showing that he’s not afraid of the physicality. A tough runner to bring down, Perine lowers his shoulders to stay upright after contact. While his brute strength won’t “wow” any scouts, his constant motor keeps him going after the collision.
While the first play of the thread showcased Perine’s patience, this clip displays his urgency to find a lane past the line of scrimmage. With no hole developing down the left B-gap, Perine works outside and manages to shed a tackle for a nice gain on the play. In addition to his urgency to work past the first-level, he displays a swift-enough reaction to his offensive linemen’s change in leverage.
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