Rasheen Ali was turning heads at the Senior Bowl before suffering a biceps injury that’s expected to sideline him for several months. While the injury timing is unfortunate, the Marshall running back still deserves serious consideration from NFL teams looking to draft a running back.
Ali finished his Marshall career with nearly 3,000 rushing yards, eclipsing more than 1,000 yards in 2021 and 2023, his two full seasons as a starting running back for the Thundering Herd. He also reeled in more than 500 receiving yards on 75 catches while in college.
Elite speed, quickness, and hands make Ali an ideal modern NFL running back. He might not be a workhorse back at the next level, but he’s dynamic enough to fit into a running back rotation early in his professional career.
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Game-Changer
While NFL teams would love to consistently sustain long drives and slowly work their way down the field for touchdowns, that’s hard to do. Explosive plays are critical for NFL offenses hoping to be among the best in the league. If your offense can generate explosive running plays, it makes your team even more dangerous.
Ali tied for first nationally in 2023 with six runs of at least 50 yards. Marshall’s passing game was inconsistent in 2023, but Ali still managed to create explosive running plays with defenses knowing he was the team’s best offensive weapon.
He looked good against Power Five competition as well, rushing for 174 yards on 27 carries against Virginia Tech. Two of his 27 carries went for touchdowns in the Marshall victory. Against N.C. State, Ali’s numbers were more pedestrian as he ran for 63 yards on just 14 carries and added another two catches for nine yards. Still, he looked the part in each game against ACC foes, giving Virginia Tech’s rush defense fits.
Given Ali’s ability to turn an ordinary running play into an explosive touchdown, he’s all but certain to attract interest from NFL teams. He was a game-changing runner in the Sun Belt, flashing 4.4 speed and good ability to make players miss in space.
While Ali isn’t known for running over defenders and being a bruising back, he plays with enough power to run through arm tackles.
Receiving Threat
Ali’s ability as a pass catcher makes him one of the best Group of Five running backs available in the draft. Ali has sure hands and more than enough speed to leave linebackers looking silly in coverage.
He runs shifty routes in the middle of the field, which leaves less athletic linebackers grasping at air. Ali could theoretically line up in the slot at the next level on certain plays, acting as a receiver in an empty set.
Ali’s injury is unfortunate, but the running back’s ability to move with sudden bursts makes him a special talent. An arm injury shouldn’t jeopardize his lower-body explosiveness. He catches the football, runs through initial contact, and holds more than enough speed to be an NFL contributor.
Ali won’t be the first running back off the board in the NFL Draft, but he possesses the type of skills that should help him get selected in the middle or late rounds of the draft.
Where Did Rasheen Ali Get Drafted?
Ali was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected with the 165th overall pick.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
