100 in 100: Dexter McCluster (49 of 100)
by Drew Kerr on Mar 1, 2010 5:43 PM PST
in 100 in 100 (2010)
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PrintI wanted to start this story off a little bit differently than the typical fashion that I normally begin with. Yesterday during the NFL Scouting Combine, Dexter McCluster was taking shots at our own Patrick Willis, McCluster's former teammate at Ole Miss.
McCluster had this to say when interviewing with 49ers web reporter Scott Kegley toward Patrick Willis:
"I have a little experience under my belt so I hope he's ready"
Ready for what? I am not exactly sure... But he also said this:
"When I first got there [Willis] always called me Baby Hester," McCluster recalled. "I remember one time in 7-on-7, he was pursuing me at an angle and I did a jab step, got underneath him and made him look silly.
and Willis had this to say in response on his Twitter page:
"Ha! Don't make me laugh. He picking the wrong guy. He better get in first and then play with those in his own league first". Lol.
Now, I know it's good to have confidence when you are coming in as a rookie, but really? Calling out arguably the best Inside Linebacker in the NFL? I didn't realize McCluster was suicidal... oh well, now on to the article...
McCluster played all four years while at Ole Miss but his first two primarily did the returns. In his final two years, he managed to rack up 2,969 Yards between receiving and rushing and that is not including his special teams return yards. There is a bit of question regarding Dexter McCluster's size at the next level and what kind of impact that will have on him at the next level. Some say he should stay at around the weight he is at and play wide out and others say he should pack on the pounds and stay at running back. At the Senior Bowl, the Ole Miss Running Back weighed in at 165 LBS. At the Combine, he had packed on 7 LBS and weighed in at 172. Either way, it should be ineresting to see how a team uses him at the next level. All I can say is, he better hope he gets drafted by a team that is not on the 49ers schedule this coming season.
Below, I will provide McCluster's stats, highlights, and projection on where he could end up in the draft.
Early in this video, you can see that McCluster does have some nifty moves. I think it is the second play when McCluster makes a creative move to make Tennessee's Strong Safety Eric Berry over pursue. Berry still recovers and ends up grabbing just enough of McCluster to bring him down but it showcases McCluster's ability to make exceptional players miss.
AWARDS AND HONORS:
- 2009 Running Back Trophy
- 2009 First Team All-SEC
CAREER STATS:
| Stats Overview | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||||
| YEAR | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| 2006 | 8 | 68 | 8.5 | 31 | 1 | 15 | 232 | 15.5 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 6 | 63 | 10.5 | 29 | 0 | 27 | 326 | 12.1 | 46 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 109 | 655 | 6.0 | 40 | 6 | 44 | 625 | 14.2 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 181 | 1169 | 6.5 | 86 | 8 | 44 | 520 | 11.8 | 64 | 3 | 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 | ||
| 9/6 | @Memphis | W 45-14 | 9 | 50 | 5.6 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 65 | 10.8 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 9/19 | Southeastern Louisiana | W 52-6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 16.0 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 9/24 | @South Carolina | L 16-10 | 15 | 85 | 5.7 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/3 | @Vanderbilt | W 23-7 | 7 | 13 | 1.9 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 21.0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/10 | Alabama | L 22-3 | 6 | 15 | 2.5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 7.3 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/17 | UAB | W 48-13 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/24 | Arkansas | W 30-17 | 22 | 123 | 5.6 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 137 | 19.6 | 64 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10/31 | @Auburn | L 33-20 | 22 | 186 | 8.5 | 79 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 4.3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 11/7 | Northern Arizona | W 38-14 | Did Not Play or did not accumulate any stats. | |||||||||||||
| 11/14 | Tennessee | W 42-17 | 25 | 282 | 11.3 | 71 | 4 | 4 | 42 | 10.5 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 11/21 | LSU | W 25-23 | 24 | 148 | 6.2 | 57 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 6.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 11/28 | @Mississippi State | L 41-27 | 16 | 82 | 5.1 | 22 | 0 | 5 | 63 | 12.6 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2009 Postseason Game Log | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||||||
| BOWL | OPP | RESULT | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| AT&T COTTON BOWL | Oklahoma State | W 21-7 | 34 | 184 | 5.4 | 86 | 2 | 5 | 45 | 9.0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SUMMARY AND PROJECTION:
Dexter McCluster will have a lot to prove when he gets to the next level. People on a continual basis say he is going to be too small and it may not stop even when he gets to the NFL. Player such as DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles and Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers have had to overcome these same critique's through the course of their careers. He didn't have a horrible Combine and he didn't have a great one, alot of the scouts will be forced to go back and look at the film and McCluster will more than likely end up slotted near where he was slotted before the Combine.
Possibilities -- 2nd Round; Picks - 50-64, 3rd Round; Picks - 65-95.
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What if the 49ers drafted him
And he had to play against Willis every day in practice. If the 49ers don’t go for Spiller, I wouldn’t mind seeing them draft McCluster. He could be a good change of pace back and with the added bonus of helping in the return game. His 6.5 yards per carry really surprised me. It’s not like he was playing in the Sun Belt confrence. That was against SEC compatition.
Don't trust this guy. He lies.
if the 49ers drafted him...
I was thinking the same thing. I’m guessing one good pop from Willis to set him straight and that’d be it.
by David Fucillo on Mar 1, 2010 6:53 PM PST up reply actions
I think that McCluster would be the very last RB Scot M and Sing would look at based on what they’ve said thus far.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
“very last” as in absolute bottom of the list? or do you mean that last acceptable rb? I hope it’s the latter. I’ve been big on this guy all year.
As in… I don’t even think he will be on the 49ers board as a RB that we are looking at, if we are in fact looking at RB’s because of the statements from Scot M and Sing saying that they want to draft big, fast, athletic talent… none of which equals Dexter McCluster.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
+1
I see a Ben Tate or Hardesty(who had the best combine that no one is talking about) or even McKnight more than McCluster
Coach/GM Speak
They’re bluffing. Happens all the time. What would being honest do for them? My guess is outside of OL, their top priority is a ridiculously fast little return man, who can spell there “big, fast, athletic talent”.
49ers and TOOL live, my personal Heaven!!!
all I know is
he put up 20 reps of the 225. That doesn’t say everything…but it says the kid is strong, not just a little wafer. By comparison, Gresham put up 20, Ryan Matthews 19, the best WR’s put up 20, that was only three of them who did that.
I feel that he will make a big difference for some team in a positive way. Who knows which team that will be.
"If I were to walk down a dark alley in a bad part of town, I'd want Ray Brown with me. And if I were to have a nice dinner at a fine restaurant, I'd want Ray Brown with me." The Late Great McKittrick
He’s not having to push it that far with his little tiny hobbit arms
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
If you can bench 30 lbs more then your weight 20 times then damn.
by manraj7 on Mar 1, 2010 8:17 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
That’s actually not that big a deal. When I was 165, I could push up 200 15-20 times fairly easily. Not to mention, that was when I was in high school. And the shorter your arms are the easier it is.
So I don’t really agree with that. If anything, an athlete should be able to bench 30 LBS more than your weight 15-20 times. It’s tougher for the bigger guys with the longer arms.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
uhhh big difference
pushing 35lbs more than ur weight a few times and
pushing 55lbs more than you weigh 20 times..
.
just saying the man is strong. I’d be more concerned about his speed though. Because it doesn’t really matter how strong he is, if linebacker hone in on him like heat seeking missles pr track him down.
From the replays the offense he was in ran sideline to sideline a lot. That may not work with him so well at the next level.
That 35 LBS more was when I was in High School, when my mucsles weren’t fully developed. I think he should be able to do that. He may be strong but I don’t think he is superman because he pushed up what he’s been training to push up that many times. I don’ t think it’s all that special, IMPO.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Tate
This kid is good. If we want a Gore replacement…forget Coffee…Tate can tote!
"If I were to walk down a dark alley in a bad part of town, I'd want Ray Brown with me. And if I were to have a nice dinner at a fine restaurant, I'd want Ray Brown with me." The Late Great McKittrick
+1
Tate would probably be overlooked because he is not the sexy pick that Spiller would be. He doesn’t look like the ideal COP back that can also provide the versatility to be a returner, but with his speed, explosiveness, moves & power, he could very easily be that type of back. I could see taking our OL with #13 & trading down 17 to see if we can secure him in the 2nd or 3rd to be a perfectly viable move.
by Mangoman on Mar 1, 2010 9:05 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I wish we didn't have Coffee now....
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Mar 1, 2010 10:57 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not understand the Coffee vile the last two weeks
Scouting report: He runs between the tackles.
49ers Offensive Line: NFL worst at blocking between the tackles (anywhere for that matter)
Coffee got to play against the Vikings defense which is stout against the run and unfortunately the 49ers got blown out by the end 1st Qtr against the Falcons which meant he got no carries. Really, when did have an opportunity to have a decent run? He wasn’t tripping on grass with 10 yards of day light ala Kevin Barrow, he was running into a wall in his own backfield.
2.7 yards per carry . . . forget in limited time, against good competition and behind an offensive line who couldn’t block for an average for 2.2 yards per carry.
Well I guess he’s just a superstar then.
Let’s not forget he ran behind the same line that Frank Gore did. Gore missed three games and still managed a 1000+ yard season. Rookie or not, Coffee should have done better. Let’s hope he shakes off the rookie jitters this year and gets better… all I am saying is I am not going to hold my breath because I didn’t see anything that special about him when he was at Alabama.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Coffee had one horrible game (the Minnesota one)
and two games where he averaged 3.6 yards per carry which, while not spectacular, is at least ok.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
I don't think he's the future of the franchise either
but I also think he hasn’t had a large enough sample size to really say
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
Tate is better.
I never really liked Coffee when he came out.
He was all production and no upside.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Mar 2, 2010 3:08 PM PST up reply actions
Everyone runs a better 40 at their pro day. Its called homefield advantage, aka slightly doctoring the results.
"Alex Smith doesn't inspire the Offensive Line to play well." - Random Troll on Post-Game Thread
by Hoopers Judge on Mar 1, 2010 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
The tape shows a faster player
On the field, there are few as fast as him so who cares what time he runs. He can fly.
by abasketballfan on Mar 1, 2010 10:33 PM PST up reply actions
Joe mcknight?
I think mcknight would be a great addition. Tho not on the same level as spiller as far as a return specialist, I think mcknight would really help our return game and give us a nice change of pace back. I think he will be around for our 2nd round selection so we should defenitely pass on spiller and address o line and safety with our first two picks
NO.
He could be a good returner, but he’s not a good RB.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Mar 1, 2010 10:57 PM PST up reply actions
Trash talking
To me those comments just read like friendly trash talking, nothing serious. Kind of like the trash talk between Ochocinco and Revis before Ochocinco got shut down.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
On a national stage, freindly or not, you don’t think Willis is going to be thinking about that when they face each other? I am not saying he’s going to be out for the guys head or to kill him or anything, but Willis is the type of guy that lets his actions be his statements.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
It's still harmless trash talk
between two old college teammates. Willis isn’t a guy to take offense at something like that
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
You're right...
But I still bet Willis puts a nice statement hit on him say the opportunity provides itself. That is just part of man law.
If you call out guys like Ray Lewis or Patrick Willis, you just better be prepare to get your head knocked off. He make shake your hand and laugh about it after the game but during business is business and war is war. McCluster planted a seed and it’s going to bite him hard if and when Willis get’s the chance to show him up… ex-teammate or not.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Willis seems a lot less serious than Lewis.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Mar 2, 2010 3:09 PM PST up reply actions
Don't close your eyes tonight
Willis is gonna hit you in your dreams
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Implying that Willis will go after McCluster “extra” hard because of trash talk would imply that he isn’t trying to decapitate EVERY ball carrier on EVERY play.
I reject your premise.
I know what I'm talking about, I started at right guard for the 1992 College Park Falcons.
ESPN doesn't track fumbles
ignore that stat
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will probably get picked in the first round.
this guy
is not bad..its just when he runs into the middle..he doesn’t seem to go anywhere..its mostly on misdirections, reverses, playactions—-which don’t seem to be very popular with Mr. Raye on offense..I don’t see this guy as a match for our team right now how we’re constructed.
Those states agains Tennessee
are really impressive. I hate the thing we have for “big players”
I’d love to draft this guy…
And if anyone else can't get the video above to work
check out this block he throws
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