From now until the 2017 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
Rushel Shell/RB/West Virginia — 5’10”/227 Lbs
The Good
-Lowers shoulder with authority; consistently falls forward at the end of runs
-Good athleticism and wiggle in the open field for a back his size
-Flexible, fluid lower half with some explosiveness in short areas
-Low workload in college coming from crowded backfield
-Very comfortable running out of a shotgun-based offense
The Bad
-Limited vision as a runner, often running with blinders on straight into OL
-Serious ball security issues in college
-Doesn’t possess breakaway speed for the position, often getting caught from behind in open field
-High pad level as a runner
– Limited receiving threat that has history of focus drops
Bio
-All-time leading rushing in Pennsylvania high school football history (9,078 yards, 110 touchdowns)
-Originally started career at Pitt before trying to transfer after freshman year; was blocked from following Todd Graham to Arizona State; committed to UCLA before backing out to try and return to Pitt; blocked from returning to Pitt by Paul Chryst, ending up at West Virginia
-35 career games at WVU (16 starts)
-Rushed for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns as a Mountaineer; added 49 receptions for 341 yards
-Shared backfield with Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood and current Mountaineer Justin Crawford during time at WVU
-Struggled with ankle injury and concussion in senior season
Tape Breakdown
Hailing from Western Pennsylvania, the hype train has surrounded West Virginia’s Rushel Shell since he was a freshman running back at Hopewell High School.