Rasheen Ali, RB Marshall: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Ali was a two-star recruit from Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio in the class of 2019

Marshall running back Rasheen Ali saw the first significant action of his college career in 2021. Now he’s building momentum heading into the 2022 season and could challenge for a top 100 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at what makes Ali such a special player.

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Rasheen Ali, RB Marshall: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt sophomore running back from Cleveland, Ohio

Background: Ali was a two-star recruit from Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio in the class of 2019. He didn’t receive a national rank from 247Sports, but the website ranked him No. 273 at the running back position and No. 141 among recruits from Ohio. For reference, the top recruit from Ohio in 2019 was Ohio State’s Zach Harrison. Ali didn’t receive a national rank or star rank from Rivals, On3.com, or ESPN. He also played basketball at Shaker Heights.

2021 Production: 13 games, 250 carries, 1,401 yards, 23 touchdowns + 45 receptions, 334 yards, 1 touchdown + 1 kick return, 97 yards, 1 touchdown

2020 Production: 6 games, 5 carries, 22 yards + 4 kick returns, 76 yards (Redshirt Year)

2019 Production: N/A (Redshirt Year)

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2021 First-Team All-Conference USA, 2021 Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team (All-Purpose), 2021 First-Team Freshman All-American (All-Purpose, The Athletic)

Pros: Special teams experience on three of the four major units, remains active in pass protection and surveys for threats, choppy footwork, doesn’t shy away from contact, patiently waits for the running lane to open, finishes through contact, displays good burst, lacks home run speed but defensive backs have to work to catch him, excellent footwork to plant and cut upfield, footwork helps him work laterally between gaps

Cons: Fumbled six times in 2021, ball security is a legitimate concern, competition level, dropped four passes in 2021, minimal snaps lined up in the slot, form in pass pro needs cleaning up, strength in pass pro could become a question, wish he ran more downfield routes, needs to diversify his route tree, lacks home run speed, doesn’t consistently make the first defender miss, sometimes he needs to just get north to south and not dance around behind the line so much

Overview: Ali is unofficially listed at 6'0", 201 lbs. His 58 forced missed tackles in 2021 tied Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams for 14th most among running backs. Ali also tied Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez Jr. with 883 rushing yards after contact, the tenth most in college football. The biggest concerns about Ali surround his work in pass protection and ball security. Six fumbles in one year won’t cut it at the next level. Ali is also guilty of being too patient at times and taking tackles for significant losses when he needs to just cut upfield and take as many yards as he can get. On the positive side, Ali displays tremendous footwork that leads to some really clean cuts and lateral bounce to survey multiple gaps. He’s patient with his blockers and has the burst to shoot through rushing lanes once they open. Despite his average frame, Ali isn’t shy about finishing through contact and making sure he falls forward. The redshirt sophomore doesn’t have elite burst or speed, but they’re both above average and give defenses trouble.

Overall, Ali is a dynamic offensive weapon who displays excellent polish, patience, and footwork. He’ll need to diversify his route tree to secure a role on third downs at the next level. Ali’s frame could become a hindrance for his draft stock unless he adds some more muscle. However, he offers exciting upside as a pure runner with only one year of starting experience.

Role & Scheme Fit: Potential three-down back in an inside or outside zone scheme

Round Projection: Mid Fourth to Early Fifth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-21-22