2019 NFL Draft Profile: Devin Singletary, FAU

Devin Singletary - Running Back - FAU Owls

HEIGHT: 5’7”

WEIGHT: 203

ARM LENGTH: 28 7/7”

HANDS: 8 1/2

PROJECTION: 3rd-5th round

40 YD DASH (NFL Combine): 4.66 seconds

BENCH PRESS (NFL Combine): 15 reps

VERTICAL (NFL Combine): 35”

BROAD JUMP (NFL Combine): 117”

3 CONE DRILL (NFL Combine): 7.32 seconds

20 YD SHUTTLE (NFL Combine): 4.4 seconds

Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

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Background

Devin “Motor” Singletary was a 5-9, 165-pound running back out of American Heritage High School in Delray Beach, Florida, a school known for producing high end football prospects. Despite a prolific career, Singletary was considered a solid three-star prospect in large part due to his stature. Thanks to his size scaring away the major schools in the state, Singletary was slated to land at a Power 5 school in Illinois, but decided to stay in south Florida and flip his commitment to FAU on National Signing Day.

That decision changed the course of FAU history. Literally. After rushing for 1,021 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman, Singletary rushed for a school record 1,920 yards and 32 touchdowns with 6.4 yards per carry. As a junior Singletary rushed for 1,358 yards and 22 touchdowns. Singletary owns every major rushing record in FAU history and became FAU’s first AP All-American in 2018.

Strengths

When you turn on the film and watch Motor run, the first thing that stands out is his ability to make the first would-be tackler miss. Motor averaged an incredible 6.0 yards per carry in college. While the stat was never kept track of, his Yards After Contact had to have been a ridiculous number.

Perhaps Motor’s biggest strength is his patience and vision. While Motor didn’t run behind a bad line at FAU, at times in his career he had to make the most of nothing and was able to turn what looked like a negative play, to a five-yard run. That type of vision will translate well at the next level where the game moves much faster.

Thanks to his sturdy legs and power, Motor was essentially automatic in the red zone and could be used as a goal line back as well.

While his rushing ability is what makes him an intriguing prospect, Motor displays nice hands too. In his career, Singletary recorded 51 catches for 397 yards and 1 touchdown. A role as a third-down back could be on the table should a primary ball carrier already be established for the team he’s on.

Weaknesses

While Singletary had an injury free time at FAU, he totaled over 700 carries in his three years in Boca Raton. That much carries by a running back is a valid concern.

On top of the number of carries, Singletary isn’t exactly a burner. He has solid speed, but nothing that will scare a defense.

He does have a tendency for the home run play. Often, he’ll make cut after cut, trying to evade tacklers. While that certainly worked in C-USA, that type of play will be hard to translate in the NFL.

Conclusion

Devin Singletary possesses excellent vision, terrific balance after contact, quick footwork, nice hands and great elusiveness. These are the traits that make Motor a surefire draft pick, with many scouts projecting him as a sleeper for the next level.

FAU head coach Lane Kiffin played to Motor’s strengths by utilizing a zone read scheme. Should Motor find himself in the same scheme in the NFL, I find it hard to believe he won’t be a Pro Bowl type player.

One of the most underrated qualities Motor possesses is a high, well, motor. NFL coaches won’t ever have to worry about the possibility of him taking downs off.

In this day and age where it’s become clear that running backs have a short shelf life, Singletary doesn’t have a significant injury history so NFL General Managers don’t have to worry about the possibility of a player who fails to pan out due to a long injury sheet.

With that said, the amount of carries on his body is a real concern and in my eyes the biggest drawback on Motor’s resume.

Motor was one of the best running backs in the country during his time at FAU. His knack for finding the end zone near the goal line is a huge positive. His combine numbers likely prevented him from being drafted in the second round so I believe he will likely hear his name called somewhere in the fourth round.