100 in 100: Jonathan Dwyer (9 of 100)

by Drew Kerr on Jan 20, 2010 1:00 PM PST in 100 in 100 (2010)

The Junior Running Back from Georgia Tech Jonathan Dwyer has declared himself eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft. Dwyer had nearly identical season in 2008 and 2009 rushing for 1395 yards each. The bruising running back stands at 6'1" and weighs roughly 235 LBS. For multiple reasons, Dwyer has climbed up the board and is considered among the top 5 running backs entering the draft this year. Punishing, Menacing, Pain inflicting are just a few expressions that describe the Yellow Jackets back quite well.

Dwyer chose the number 21 to honor former Yellow Jacket Calvin Johnson who while at Georgia Tech dominated the competition. Dwyer's first year at Georgia Tech he was a back up to current NFL running back Tashard Choice for the Dallas Cowboys. Choice was quoted earlier in the season in saying, "He's going to be among the leading rushers in the country next year, and if he stays healthy, he could lead the nation in rushing. He's that good.", and Dwyer fulfilled the prediction. Dwyer has earned the nickname "The Diesel" and "D-Train" for his physical style of running.

Below, I'll feature a look at some of Dwyer's highlights, stats, and give some projections of where he could possibly end up in the draft...

As you can see in the highlight film, Dwyer has reasonable speed and does very well at breaking tackles. I think my favorite run in the video came about 0:34 in to the feed where he runs right and then changes direction, spins off a couple of would-be tacklers, breaks another tackle and jukes another would-be tackler making him fall to the ground and then darts back toward the right and heads for the endzone for the score. It's a very good demonstration of what Dwyer brings to the table.

AWARDS AND HONORS:

2007 Humanitarian Bowl MVP
2008 ACC Player of the Year
2008 All-American First Team

CAREER STATS:

Stats Overview	Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
YEAR	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
2007	82	436	5.3	65	9	2	17	8.5	9	0	0	0
2008	200	1395	7.0	88	12	8	209	26.1	79	1	0	0
2009	235	1395	5.9	74	14	5	37	7.4	21	0	0	0

2009 Regular Season Game Log			Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
DATE	OPP	RESULT	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	FUM	LST
9/5	Jacksonville State	W 37-17	7	95	13.6	74	2	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
9/10	Clemson	W 30-27	18	66	3.7	17	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
9/17	@Miami (FL)	L 33-17	5	7	1.4	5	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
9/26	North Carolina	W 24-7	19	158	8.3	39	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
10/3	@Mississippi State	W 42-31	16	83	5.2	13	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
10/10	@Florida State	W 49-44	14	102	7.3	69	2	1	11	11.0	11	0	0	0
10/17	Virginia Tech	W 28-23	20	82	4.1	33	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
10/24	@Virginia	W 34-9	25	125	5.0	32	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
10/31	@Vanderbilt	W 56-31	22	186	8.5	41	3	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
11/7	Wake Forest	W 30-27	23	189	8.2	59	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
11/14	@Duke	W 49-10	14	110	7.9	46	2	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
11/28	Georgia	L 30-24	14	33	2.4	8	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
12/5	@Clemson	W 39-34	24	110	4.6	20	2	2	14	7.0	21	0	0	0

2009 Postseason Game Log

Rushing

Receiving

Fumbles

BOWL

OPP

RESULT

ATT

YDS

AVG

LNG

REC

YDS

AVG

LNG

FUM

LST

FedEx ORANGE BOWL

Iowa

L 24-14

3.5

6.0

SUMMARY AND PROJECTIONS:

Dwyer will get some playing time no matter where he is drafted. He will be too valuable to let go to waste by sitting on the bench. I am a firm believer that he will be selected as the 2nd running back in the Draft this year. He could very well be starting somewhere his rookie season. This large back will most likely be a late 1st rounder or an early 2nd rounder.

Possibilities -- If drafted in the 1st round, Texans, Chargers.

For more articles on 100 in 100, please follow this link:

http://www.ninersnation.com/section/100-in-100-2010

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looks like a good back

of course the highlight that you mentioned came in a game they were up 55-0, so… probably not the most quality opponent. Still, it was an impressive run.

A hearty thank you to Rich Aurilia for all the good memories, and to the Niners for finally getting the uni's (mostly) right.

by wjackalope on Jan 20, 2010 1:11 PM PST reply actions

I think he will be a decent back somehwhere next year. Maybe in a 2nd back type of role. Unless he goes to the two places I suggested above. If LT goes, then Dwyer would be the number one of course. The Texans need a good solid RB also. But either one of those teams could wait and go after Jahvid Best in the 2nd also.

Tim Tebow = 1,432,219 season tickets next year. Who wouldn't pick him in the 1st round with those projections?

by Drew Kerr on Jan 20, 2010 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

Probable Bust

Doesn’t have the speed
Doesn’t have the acceleration neither
Plays in a Triple Option attack which inflate his numbers
Is going to need to learn to catch the ball out of the backfield

In the NFL he’s just a goaline back.

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by supraman on Jan 20, 2010 1:15 PM PST reply actions

Bad perception I think

Speed: He is projected to run in between a 4.40-and 4.45. Is it Chris Johnson-like speed? No. Is it acceptable NFL speed for a back of his size? Yes.

Acceleration: If you actually have seen him play in a game, he has plenty of acceleration to out run DB’s and LB’s on certain given plays. It’s actually evident a few times in the clip above even.

Triple option: I’ll give you that.

Receiving: He doesn’t have the best receiving stats but that goes back to your triple option theory. The times he was thrown to this year and years previous, he’s caught pretty much all the passes thrown his way.

Any player can be labeled a potential bust, so when you say things like that it’s sort like a saturated sponge… it just doesn’t hold any more water than if I were to say Ndamukong Suh will be a bust. Anyone can label any player a potential bust. Time will determine whether or not he will be.. but you’re certainly entitled to your opinion.

Tim Tebow = 1,432,219 season tickets next year. Who wouldn't pick him in the 1st round with those projections?

by Drew Kerr on Jan 20, 2010 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

Speed: He is projected to run in between a 4.40-and 4.45. Is it Chris Johnson-like speed? No. Is it acceptable NFL speed for a back of his size? Yes.

All depends on the track. But he doesn’t have NFL speed like I said.

Acceleration: If you actually have seen him play in a game, he has plenty of acceleration to out run DB’s and LB’s on certain given plays. It’s actually evident a few times in the clip above even.

Defenses play on there heels vs the Triple option, so on a lot of plays Dwyer is a step ahead of the defense that’s forced to hesitate.

Receiving: He doesn’t have the best receiving stats but that goes back to your triple option theory. The times he was thrown to this year and years previous, he’s caught pretty much all the passes thrown his way.

NFL teams are still going to want him to prove it.

Any player can be labeled a potential bust, so when you say things like that it’s sort like a saturated sponge… it just doesn’t hold any more water than if I were to say Ndamukong Suh will be a bust. Anyone can label any player a potential bust. Time will determine whether or not he will be.. but you’re certainly entitled to your opinion.

~~Probable~~ Bust.. is that better Drew?

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by supraman on Jan 20, 2010 2:03 PM PST up reply actions

Frank Gore runs a 4.40 40

If Dwyer runs the same speed that’s perfectly acceptable for a big back.

Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.

by smileyman on Jan 20, 2010 2:25 PM PST up reply actions

Depends on track

ex: Beanie Wells ran a 4.52 at the combine and a 4.38 at his Pro-day.

Gore is definitely faster than this guy.

If Dwyer runs a 4.45 it’s because he’s running on a fast track.. more likely I believe Dwyer will end up with a 4.53.

Youtube Account

by supraman on Jan 20, 2010 2:48 PM PST up reply actions

Imagine the 9ers on another 3rd and 2

How much speed do you need when you got (cue 2:14 mark on the video)!

really, does every RB need to be Chris Johnson Fast?? Dont see him goin past San diego if they really do address a need for RB and Spiller is gone.

by LADubbz45 on Jan 20, 2010 2:58 PM PST up reply actions

cue

In the NFL he’s just a goaline back.

Short situation back I don’t believe that’s a good reason to select him early.

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by supraman on Jan 20, 2010 3:05 PM PST up reply actions

He’ll be more than a short yardage situation guy. I think he was just making the point that he can do that as well.

Tim Tebow = 1,432,219 season tickets next year. Who wouldn't pick him in the 1st round with those projections?

by Drew Kerr on Jan 20, 2010 3:15 PM PST up reply actions

concerning speed

Speed highlights of Dwyer: Example 1, Example 2

Dwyer was the fastest guy on offense for Tech this past season. He’s strong as an ox but the speed is why his stats are so high. Also, the offense may give him more carries but the YPC is not that inflated. Fullbacks in Johnson’s offense average 4-5 YPC but Dwyer has been 6-8 his entire career. Also, take into account he has no blocking back.

I haven’t posted 2009’s stats yet but they are incredibly comparable to his 2008 except he cut back his fumbles. Here is an article I wrote about Dwyer in the 2009 preseason.

I guess the atmosphere that I've tried to create here is that I'm a friend first and a boss second, and probably an entertainer third.

by BirdGT on Jan 20, 2010 6:47 PM PST up reply actions

Interesting stats and nice article…good points.

Tim Tebow = 1,432,219 season tickets next year. Who wouldn't pick him in the 1st round with those projections?

by Drew Kerr on Jan 20, 2010 7:35 PM PST up reply actions

He has a similar build to Frank Gore and runs north-south like him too. He didn’t seem to read his blockers as well as Frank Gore but than again in most of the runs in the video the blockers had completely washed out all tacklers from his path.

Considering the 49ers already have Frank Gore and think they have Frank Gore Lite I don’t see him being drafted by the 49ers.

by bignerd on Jan 20, 2010 1:37 PM PST reply actions