Gavin Sawchuk RB Oklahoma | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Gavin Sawchuk RB Oklahoma
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.24 seconds (100%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 07/28/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.24 seconds (100%*) | |
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 07/28/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 63.8 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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61% |
| Break Tackles: |
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45% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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51% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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55% |
| Run Blocking: |
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54% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#464
Position rank:
#45
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| College Games: 21 College Snaps: 517 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mulbah Car - Houston |
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71% |
| Cam'Ron Harris - Miami |
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61% |
| Shane Simpson - Virginia |
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61% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Gavin Sawchuk emerged as Oklahoma's lead back in 2023, rushing for 744 yards and 9 touchdowns on 120 carries. The former Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year showed flashes of his elite speed, particularly late in the season with five 100+ yard games in his final five contests.Sawchuk's journey to Norman was paved with accolades. At Valor Christian High School, he racked up over 5,000 career rushing yards and 80 touchdowns. His back-to-back Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021 put him in elite company with Christian McCaffrey. Sawchuk capped his prep career with 2,004 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior.
After a redshirt freshman season in 2022, Sawchuk broke out in 2023. He earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors while leading the Sooners' ground attack. His season culminated with a 135-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona, showcasing his potential on a national stage.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Home run hitter with elite straight-line - speed can take it the distance on any play
- Displays exceptional vision and patience, sets up blocks well before hitting the hole with decisive one-cut ability
- Natural hands catcher out of the backfield - flashes potential as a legitimate receiving threat at the next level
- Light feet and lateral agility to make defenders miss in a phone booth, creating yards in tight spaces
- Runs with good pad level and contact balance, consistently falls forward for extra yardage after initial contact
- Scheme-versatile runner, equally effective in zone and gap blocking systems, enhancing his NFL fit
- Red zone weapon with a nose for paydirt, demonstrated by 9 rushing touchdowns in breakout junior campaign
- High football acumen and situational awareness, consistently makes high-IQ decisions with the rock in his hands
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal NFL RB frame at 200 pounds, raising durability concerns and ability to withstand punishment over a full season
- Major liability in pass protection, likely limiting third-down utility early in his NFL career
- Doesn't possess the sand in his pants to consistently move the chains between the tackles or in short-yardage situations
- Limited tread on the tires as a bell-cow back, only one season as the primary ball carrier at Oklahoma
- Ball security needs refinement, tendency to carry the ball loose in traffic could lead to fumble issues at the next level
Scouting Report: Summary
A dynamic change-of-pace back with home run ability, Sawchuk's elite wheels and soft mitts make him a potential mismatch nightmare out of the backfield. His vision and one-cut explosiveness project well to zone-heavy schemes, where he can use his burst to exploit cutback lanes.In a committee approach, Sawchuk could thrive as a complementary piece, particularly in an offense that emphasizes getting backs in space and leveraging them in the passing game. His ability to stress defenses vertically and horizontally could make him a valuable chess piece on passing downs and in up-tempo situations.
While concerns about his anchor in pass pro and ability to grind out tough yards may limit his every-down potential, Sawchuk's game-breaking speed and playmaking chops give him intriguing upside. With proper coaching to shore up his weaknesses, he has the tools to develop into a dangerous offensive weapon at the next level.
How other scouting services rate Gavin Sawchuk (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
498.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
42.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.