Texas RB Jaydon Blue’s speed and receiving ability are high-level NFL attributes

The speedster has elite athleticism and pass-catching abilities that will interest NFL teams.

With four running backs drafted in the last two years, Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue will look to continue the trend and become the next Longhorn back taken in the NFL Draft.

The 5’9, 196-pound speedster provides a lot to like for NFL teams and is expected to hear his name called as a mid-round draft pick.

Blue’s path to this moment has been far from linear. With a history of injuries and a deep stable of backs at Texas the last few years, Blue has had to wait his turn, a rarity for an athlete of his caliber.

His journey to the NFL began a decade or more earlier. After two knee injuries in middle school football threatened his future in the game, Blue participated in high school football accordingly. He ran wild his junior season, slotting himself as one of the top running backs in the class before sitting out his senior year to preserve his health.

After minimal action his freshman year, Blue saw more time in 2023 season, including a jaw-dropping 69-yard touchdown run against Texas Tech during which he reached 22.3 miles per hour, one of the fastest max speeds for any running back that season.

Yet, through two seasons he had only shown flashes, never a complete performance.

This past season, with the season-ending knee injury sustained by projected starter Cedric Baxter, Blue was expected to take over the reins as the lead back for Texas.

Yet once again, his performance and playing time were highly inconsistent, influenced by an early-season ankle injury against Michigan and ball-security issues — Blue was benched in the SEC opener against Mississippi State when he fumbled twice in the first half and recorded single-digit carries in eight games in 2024.

While he still flashed, including game-changing touchdowns against Clemson and Ohio State, Blue never consistently owned the backfield for Texas because of his injury issues, ball-security problems, and ineffectiveness running between the tackles.

He leaves the Forty Acres having recorded 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns on 214 carries alongside 56 receptions for 503 yards and seven touchdowns.

Despite those weaknesses, Blue is a highly intriguing prospect. Before his physical attributes or skills, Blue hardly has any miles on him at a position where that is more valued than anywhere. Thanks to sitting out his senior year and waiting behind other talented backs at Texas, Blue has only 214 carries in the last four seasons. In comparison, Cam Skattebo had 293 attempts last season alone. NFL scouts will love Blue’s freshness.

Blue’s speed is his best attribute, running a 4.38 40 at the NFL Combine despite a hamstring injury and then besting that number with a a sub 4.30 effort at the Texas Pro Day.

When Blue is healthy, he’s dynamic in the open field, forcing 15 missed tackles on 41 receptions and 37 missed tackles on 135 rushing attempts in 2024 despite the significant limitations on his speed and change-of-direction ability by the early-season ankle injury.

As a pass catcher, Blue is an impossible cover for linebackers and faster than almost any defensive back he’d be matched up against. In the College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State, both touchdowns scored by Texas were by Blue on wheel routes.

As a running back, Blue is scheme-limited because while he’s extremely effective on outside zone, as evidenced by his two touchdown runs against Clemson, he’s not as good on inside zone or Power and lacks ideal vision, tempo, and ability to move the pile after contact.

Blue’s most likely potential lies as a third-down back in the NFL. His speed and route-running abilities are a match up nightmare for linebackers around the league. He is a legitimate mismatch in the passing game. Blue will need to show significant improvement in the blocking game if he hopes to make it in this role. The tape at Texas shows poor effort and mental miscues while staying in as an extra blocker.

His profile outside this usage isn’t bleak. His speed and cutting ability are strong strengths and he has an innate sense when running outside. Blue’s biggest weaknesses are his history of fumbling and his ability to run inside or through contact. While these do raise a level of concern, there is reason to believe these can be ironed out.

Blue is currently being projected as a Day 3 pick with reason to believe his best football is still in front of him. He may not lead an NFL backfield, but he certainly can exist as a part-time back with big-play potential.