Playing in the shadow of Christian McCaffrey for the first two seasons of his career left Bryce Love as a relative unknown coming into 2017. It didn’t take long, however, before he became a household name, Heisman contender, and potential first-round pick in the 2018 Draft Class. The slightly undersized but incredibly explosive true junior has taken full advantage of the opportunity he’s been given now that McCaffrey is on to his career in the NFL. In an era where spread offenses have made it easier for running backs to run untouched in to the defense, finding a more traditional offense like Stanford’s and seeing a back have so much success means a lot in terms of projecting him to the next level.
What He Does Well:
Love is a sub 4.4 speed type player who can actually bring that caliber of speed on the field with pads on. His foot speed is top notch whether is he long striding in space or approaching traffic with jabbing steps. What makes him so hard to catch is a rare blend of balance, body control, vision, and agility. He quickly forecasts and locates his running lanes, showing the burst and acceleration to fly through any sized window. While he may not be a pile pusher, Love will show no hesitation in lowering his shoulder and running with toughness. He plays through pain, plays with aggression, and plays with passion. Matched with his talent, he can be a special difference maker.
Where He Needs Work:
Love won’t ever be a big, physical bruiser. His frame is slight and there isn’t a lot of power derived from his lower body. He can be taken down by simple arm tackles if a defender gets a hand on him. His presence as a blocker isn’t strong despite his effort. Defenders with a head of steam can easily shake his block and/or drive him deep in the pocket. Love also has not been used as a receiver very often, with just 28 catches in 35 games. A back with this kind of size needs to prove he can do more than take handoffs if he is going to be a first rounder.