Moats shifts into the NFL
Former Bulldogs star running back ready to play at next level
April 20, 2005
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Former Louisiana Tech star running back Ryan Moats is rated as one of the top players at his position by NFL Draft experts. (Shane Bevel/The Times)
Making a name for himself
Ryan Moats is part of one of the deepest classes of running back prospects for the NFL Draft. Here's a look at some of the top prospects:
First round
Cadillac Williams, Auburn, 5-11, 217 -- Dynamic runner who has a lot of power for his frame.
Ronnie Brown, Auburn, 6-0, 233 -- Big back who has a lot of versatility.
Cedric Benson, Texas, 5-11, 222 -- Stock has slipped; he's at his best in the red zone.
Second round
J.J. Arrington, California, 5-9, 214 -- Extremely fast and is best between the tackles.
Marion Barber, Minnesota, 5-11, 221 -- Patient runner.
Vernand Morency, Oklahoma State, 5-10, 212 -- Shifty runner who can be very elusive.
Third round
Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech, 5-8, 210 -- Excellent quickness, may not be big enough for every-down back.
Weekend TV
Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., ESPN; 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m., ESPN2
Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., ESPN
By Brian Vernellis
bvernellis@gannett.com
The talk and rumors about this weekend's NFL Draft float around former Louisiana Tech star Ryan Moats daily. Yet, for all he's heard, he's still in the dark.
He's talked with many NFL teams, but none has tipped its hand if it will select him. So he sits, tries to be patient and calms his anxiety about his professional future.
"I really don't have a preference," Moats said. "I'm just ready to go play."
His junior season at Louisiana Tech proved how ready he is. He set a school single-season rushing record with 1,774 yards and 18 touchdowns, earning the Western Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Year.
It was the final impetus he needed to leave Tech for the NFL.
"I just assessed everything and felt like I exceeded in college and did all I could do," he said. "I had two good years back-to-back and I thought it was time to move on."
He's part of a strong class of running backs, one of the strongest in recent years. Running backs, wide receivers, defensive ends and cornerbacks are the deepest positions for the draft.
Auburn's Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown and Texas' Cedric Benson are the top of the running back list.
Moats' stock has risen since scouts saw his workouts for the East-West Shrine Game. One play in practice illustrated his strengths -- his receiving and play-making abilities.
On a play out of the Bulldogs' playbook, Moats caught a swing pass out of the backfield then made several defenders miss before being tackled.
It's no wonder he idolizes Barry Sanders, another running back who had a knack for making defenders grasp at thin air. The two are almost identical in size -- Sanders is 5-8, 200 pounds; Moats is 5-8, 210 pounds.
"He's one of the most exciting running backs I've seen in the last three or four years," said ESPN analyst John Cooper, a former Ohio State head coach.
"Every time he touches the ball he is a threat to go the distance. I'm very impressed with him."
Cooper wasn't the only analyst praising Moats. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projected him as the fourth running back taken in the draft, possibly as high as the second round.
"I did hear about that," Moats said. "I really don't want to comment on it. I just want to see what happens.
"It's an honor for him to even say that because a lot of people would think of one of the other running backs before they'd pick me."
Dallas invited him and other local prospects to its Valley Ranch complex on April 8.
Fox Sports analyst and pro scout Chris Landry believes Moats has what it takes to be a solid NFL running back, but he doesn't think he will immediately follow Brown, Williams and Benson.
"He's a special college player, but he's not a great pro prospect," Landry said. "He doesn't have great speed. He doesn't have that burst like a lot of the top backs do.
"He's a solid, productive back with good instincts. There's nothing overly special about him."
Only time will tell, but Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell knows what will distinguish Moats from other prospects in the deep class.
"I know this, he will have a great attitude once he gets there," Bicknell said. "In other words, the coaches will love him and that's so important in order to make a team."
"If he can get there, keep his mouth shut, work hard and be a great kid, then the players and coaches will like him and that will really help him."
Not only does he have the physical attributes to succeed in the NFL, but he also has the right mental state of mind.
His first lucrative NFL contract is only days away, but he's not thinking of all the materialistic rewards that come with it.
"I don't want to get crazy, maybe get a car," he said. "I'm used to the way I am. I'm not really starving for anything."