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Overview

Despite surprising many with his early declaration, Coffee should find NFL success with his combination of size, strength and surprising burst in the open field. Though he shared carries amongst 'Bama's talented stable of backs, Coffee emerged as the Tide's bell-cow back down the stretch, finishing with 1,383 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. His total pushed him ahead of former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander for second on the Tide's single-season rushing list behind only Bobby Humphrey's 1,471 yards in 1986. Belying the traditional Alabama role of just a physical runner, Coffee is also a very good receiver out of the backfield, averaging 17 receptions for 130 yards the past two seasons. Had an arm span of 31 3/4 inches and a hand span of 9 1/2 inches at the combine.

High School

As a senior, Coffee had 1,886 yards rushing, 350 yards receiving and 29 total touchdowns. Coffee led Fort Walton Beach to the District 2- 4A district title and a regional championship game appearance. As a junior, he had 850 yards rushing and seven TDs on 132 carries and 18 receptions for 275 yards and four touchdowns.

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Analysis
Analysis

Positives: Well-built athlete. A bit of a slasher. Sees the hole and shows surprising burst to it, considering his height. Can make defenders miss in the open field, but seems to prefer physically taking them on at times. Lowers his shoulder into the defender and looks to intimidate. Runs with a chip on his shoulder. Good acceleration through the second level of the defense and into the open field. At least adequate straight-line speed. Good vision at the second level for the cutback. Experienced receiver out of the backfield. Good upper-body strength and effort as a pass blocker. Has been a weight room monster since high school. Has matured during his college career, and is now a faith-driven leader and sought-after speaker in the community.

Negatives: Has a bit of an odd build for a running back. Thin hips, and though well built he lacks the bulk in his core and lower body that scouts prefer for a power runner. Runs a bit upright, which just adds to the concern regarding his build and power-running. Likes to run over defenders, but too often goes down on contact. Suspended for four games in 2007 as part of an Alabama textbook scandal. Redshirted 2006 with a knee injury.

Injury Report

2006: Redshirted due to a knee injury.



FFToolbox:

Coffee probably isn't ready to make the jump from college to the NFL, but he decided to make it nonetheless. Then again, it's hard to imagine producing the same kind of season as the one in which he just exploded for the BCS-bound Alabama Crimson Tide. After redshirting in 2005 and playing in a backup role throughout most of his freshman and sophomore seasons in 2006 and 2007, Coffee became a First Team All-SEC performer as a junior in 2008. He rushed 233 times for 1383 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding another score and 118 more yards on 16 receptions. Behind an impressive offensive line, Coffee helped lead Alabama to an undefeated regular season before it fell apart a bit in the SEC Championship and Sugar Bowl. With OT Andre Smith departing and other foreseeable holes developing in the offensive line, Coffee might have been hard-pressed to duplicate all of those numbers as a senior. As such, he is going pro despite not really possessing that coveted blend of size and speed that makes scouts salivate. He has a decent build at 6'1'' and 200 pounds, and his peak 40-yard-dash times in the low 4.4s are solid but not spectacular. Coffee does not project as a feature back in the NFL at the moment, and there are an excess of backup-like running backs in the NFL, so his draft stock could suffer. Still, it would not be surprising to see a team go for him as early as the fourth round. Plus the fact that he is a strong leader both on and off the field certainly won't hurt.