The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine is fast approaching, and prospects from all over the country are putting in the extra hours of hard work to ensure they perform their best during the drills next week on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf.
NFL Media analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis are already watching film and figuring out what top players they will keep a close eye on, and one tailback has them very intrigued.
"Jay Ajayi is a player I didn't really know much about when I put on the tape, but I loved the way he ran the football," Jeremiah said. "The power he had was impressive, the vision was impressive. Overall, his balance is what makes him rare."
Davis added: "He's going to be one of those kids who, as soon as we talk about him, people will go, 'What is the comparison?' Immediately, people are going to compare him to the Muscle Hamster, who also came out of Boise State, in Doug Martin. I don't think (Ajayi) is Doug Martin -- I like him better than Martin coming out, and Martin hit the league like a bomb but has had some injury trouble since then.
"I think (Ajayi) is a complete back who developed real quickly at Boise State, and I thought his one year under (coach) Bryan Harsin was a godsend because he had him doing everything."
That's high praise from Davis, considering that Martin was a first-round pick in 2012 and earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie with Tampa Bay.
Ajayi is a little different though, and that might be why both analysts prefer him at the next level. In addition to being a little taller than Martin, Ajayi is a powerful downhill runner who also flashes enough speed and burst to get to the outside. Ajayi drew a number of second- and third-team All-American honors after his junior year and set numerous school records with the Broncos, including rushing yards, all-purpose yards and touchdowns scored.
Ajayi doesn't crack NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks' list of top five tailbacks in the 2015 NFL Draft, but a strong showing in Indianapolis at the combine could certainly change enough opinions, and he could creep in there for many scouts.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
