Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II heads into the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the more intriguing running back prospects. Once touted as the potential RB1 to start the season, his underwhelming senior campaign left many questioning his ceiling. However, the Senior Bowl offers him a prime opportunity to remind scouts of the player who dominated college football just one season ago.
Collegiate Career Overview
Gordon’s career at Oklahoma State has been a tale of two seasons. His sophomore campaign was nothing short of spectacular, where he erupted for over 1,700 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, making him a household name among college football fans and scouts alike.
However, his senior season fell short of expectations. Gordon posted 880 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns, a respectable output but not the production expected from someone touted as a top back entering the season. Still, he finished his college career with impressive numbers:
Rushing Yards: 2,920
Rushing Touchdowns: 35
Total Touchdowns: 39
Receiving Yards: 585
While the dip in production could be attributed to poor offensive line play, Gordon still showcased flashes of brilliance that reminded scouts of his potential as a featured NFL back.
Strengths
Elite Contact Balance: At 6’1” and nearly 230 pounds, Gordon is a nightmare for defenders to bring down. He bounces off tacklers with ease and consistently fights for extra yardage.
Sneaky Agility: Despite his size, Gordon displays an impressive ability to make defenders miss in the open field. His shiftiness adds a layer of unpredictability to his game.
Speed and Burst: While not the fastest back in the class, Gordon’s long strides give him deceptive breakaway speed, allowing him to rip off chunk plays when given open lanes.
Vision and Patience: Gordon is a smart runner with excellent field vision. He consistently finds the right holes and rarely makes poor decisions with the ball in his hands.
Pass-Catching Ability: Though underutilized as a receiver in college, Gordon has shown reliable hands and the ability to contribute as a checkdown option in the passing game.
Areas for Improvement
Pass Protection: While Gordon is willing to block, his technique needs refinement to handle NFL-level pass rushers effectively.
Consistency: Gordon’s lack of sustained dominance in his senior year raises questions about his ability to consistently produce at a high level, particularly behind subpar offensive lines.
Senior Bowl Impact
The Senior Bowl presents a golden opportunity for Gordon to show scouts why he was once considered a top-tier running back prospect. With a strong performance, he can:
Showcase His Versatility: Whether it’s breaking tackles in team drills or flashing his pass-catching ability, Gordon can prove he’s more than just a downhill runner.
Silence Critics: By excelling against some of the best defensive prospects in the country, Gordon can erase doubts raised during his senior season.
Boost His Stock: A standout showing could propel Gordon from a mid-round prospect to a potential Day 2 pick.
NFL Projection
Ollie Gordon has all the physical tools to become a workhorse back in the NFL. His size, speed, and balance make him an ideal candidate for teams looking for a bruising runner who can handle a heavy workload. Teams that value physicality and downhill running—like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, or Tennessee Titans—could be excellent fits.
Currently, Gordon projects as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. However, with a dominant Senior Bowl and a solid Combine performance, he could elevate himself firmly into the Day 2 conversation.
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