FBS from First Carry

Philadelphia, Pa., native Desmon Peoples committed to Rutgers on Thursday and tonight I sat down to tell the Scarlet Knight faithful what they’re getting in the wickedly nimble tailback out of Archbishop Wood High School.

For this Scout’s Take, I can actually tell you the exact play that I knew Desmon Peoples would be an FBS running back because it was the first carry I ever saw him make for St. Joseph’s Prep as a sophomore. I was sitting in the press box with current Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg discussing the game and Prep’s starting running back went down. In walked Peoples who I had heard much about already as he had transferred into the program. On his first run he took the ball from about the 19 yard line, had no hole, made two quick cuts, hit a wall of defenders and then bounced off of Father Judge defenders with a spin-move included to race 81 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. It was one run, but Coach Mornhinweg and I looked at each other with wide eyes. I believe that was his first varsity carry

Rutgers just got a tremendous running back in Savon Huggins last year, but Peoples is not a player I would count as “depth” or “second-string”. He is a weapon and in my opinion the only thing that held him back from dozens of offers was his size, because he is excellent in many departments.

Peoples acceleration through rushing lanes is impressive, but even more remarkable is his ability to simply cut on a dime and make the first tackler miss at will. He is just so agile and light on his feet that he’s like a ballerina at times on the football field. His balance and ability to stay on his feet has been absolutely uncanny throughout his high school career at times. I have literally watched Desmon Peoples swarmed by five defenders and somehow find a way to maneuver out of their collective grasp and fly to the end zone. He is absolutely special in that department. In terms of speed, the Philadelphia native isn’t a world class sprinter, but he is certainly in the 4.4 to 4.5 range and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. His lack of height makes him very tough to find behind offensive linemen and he will break you up the middle or off-tackle.

I’ve talked to people and analysts that tell me his frame is too small for college football and to that I say bunk. Peoples is thick in the butt and thighs and has solid calf muscles. That strong lower body and low center of gravity makes him tough to bring down. He’s also a tough kid Last season I went to watch him play a few times, but once was against his old team, St. Joe’s Prep, and he had a thigh bruise so bad that his skin color was jet black and purple and he stayed on that field as long as he could take it. He had been playing on it for weeks. Anyone who has put on the pads before knows that’s tough. He also has very good hands and can be very, very dangerous in the passing and return game.

I’d love to see Peoples red-shirt at Rutgers and continue to work on adding muscle mass from head to toe. He’s finally back up over 170 pounds after being on crutches last season and if he could get in the 185-190 pound area before he hits the field I think it would be golden. I see him as a great chance of pace back to Savon Huggins, a weapon out of the backfield in the passing game and an option as a return guy. If he can pack on that weight and keep his speed, he’ll be a can’t miss prospect.