2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Toa Taua, RB, Nevada

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Toa Taua, #35
School (Code)	NVRE
DOB, Class Yr	02-15-2000, 5th YR Senior
Height, Weight	5081, 215
40 Yd Dash	4.55
Arms, Hands	3000, 0918
Position/Depth	RB, Starter
Honors/Captainship	Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List (2020)Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List (2020)All-Mountain West Second Team (2020)Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2018)
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	COST, COAF, IAUN
Scout Name / Date	CJ Marable, 11-11-22

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	155 ATT, 571 YDS, 10 TDS, 29 REC, 255 YDS, 1 TD
2021	150 ATT, 732 YDS, 6 TDS, 39 REC, 296 YDS, 1 TD
2020	114 ATT, 675 YDS, 4 TDS, 31 REC, 214 YDS, 1 TD
2019	196 ATT, 807 YDS, 6 TDS, 30 REC, 185 YDS
2018	178 ATT, 872 YDS, 6TDS, 22 REC, 202 YDS, 1 TD

Player Summary:

5th year Senior RB in the zone/gap blocking scheme of NVRE. He is primarily the 1st RB in a rotation, where he sees anywhere from 10-25 carries per game. Below-average height and decent weight with a thick, muscular, sturdy frame. Plays faster than his 40 time. Lack of home run speed but has an above-average initial burst. Very decisive runner but it bites him in the butt sometimes because he buries his head too early. Very physical and violent runner who doesn’t shy away from contact. He is a one-cut-and-go type of back but is creative and can make something out of nothing. Displays good vision and ability to set up his blocks to gain extra yardage. On outside zone plays in the shotgun, he takes too many steps before getting the hand off which makes him miss the open hole. He gets low and runs with excellent balance to withstand contact. The low center of gravity allows him to break and bounce off of would-be-tacklers. Very strong and tough runner who lowers his pads and delivers the blow to defenders. He has good quality power to keep his legs pumping through contact. He stays patient behind the line of scrimmage, allowing blocks to create openings, and looks for cutback lanes with accurate vision. He shows impressive lateral agility, start/stop ability and overall fluidity. Almost every run, he’s always falling forward because of good body lean. Above-average ball catching ability yet displays below-average route running, often short cutting his routes. In the 1st half against COST, he ran a Texas route and instead of him pushing up and getting on the defender’s toes, he broke the route off too early which allowed the defender to make a play on the ball. His pass protection is decent. He has the want to, physicality and aggression. Possesses the toughness to be developed into a good pass protector. Would like to see him drop his butt and sink his hips, ready to strike the opposing defender. Before getting out in his route he displays toughness by violently chipping edge rushers. 

Scheme Fit: 

Zone/Gap Block Scheme, Change-of-Pace

Power Statement:

Bruising running back who isn’t afraid of contact who displays impressive contact balance and the effort to keep his legs pumping through traffic. Impressive patience, feet and burst and he hit the hole hard with a physical attitude. Because of his lower body strength and natural running lean he’s always falling forward. Good ball catcher out the back field who needs improvement in route running ability. Will be a huge help on the next level as a 3rd down or change of pace type of back.