NFL Draft Profile: Rueben Randle
LSU WR Rueben Randle was an effective deep threat with decent production on a team that was very successful, but didn't feature great quarterback play. Randle had 37 receptions of over 15 yards with 21 of those for over 25 yards in 3 years at LSU. With good size (6'3", 210lbs) and athleticism he could develop into an excellent WR, though a lack of true blazing speed means he'll need to become well rounded as a WR to be effective, which will take time coming out of a run heavy offense that used him mostly deep.
Statistics:
2009 (True Freshman): 11 catches, 173 yards, 15.7 Y/C, 2 TDs
2010 (Soph): 33 catches, 544 yards, 16.5 Y/C, 3 TDs
2011 (Junior): 53 catches, 917 yards, 17.3 Y/C, 8 TDs
Combine:
40 yard dash: 4.55 seconds
Bench Press: 15 reps
Vertical Jump: 31 inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet, 1 inch
3 Cone Drill: 6.99 seconds
20 yard shuttle: 4.36 seconds
40 yard shuttle: 11.78 seconds
Positives:
Randle has good size and athleticism, with reliable hands. He was effective at a high level of competition and his production increased accross the board each year. Has lots of room to learn and grow, won't turn 21 under after the draft.
Negatives:
Randle was used mostly as a deep threat so his short and intermediate routes need work. Doesn't have the freakish athleticism to be successful at the next level without proper technique. He's a project but there's a big potential payoff and he was a much bigger factor in college than the somewhat similar Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech (though Hill put up much better combine numbers).
Further Reading:
Randle makes some explosive plays, I like the kid, I think the one thing about him that worried me was that he too often did not extend to get the ball, and that won't work too well in the NFL with the way that DB's play, if he can get that fixed I think he will be a very good player at the next level
