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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deion Hankins, RB, UTEP

Deion Hankins is a bruising RB for UTEP who's hard to bring down. Hula Bowl scout PJ Hardaway breaks down Hankins as an NFL Prospect in his report.
Deion Hankins is a bruising RB for UTEP who’s hard to bring down. Hula Bowl scout PJ Hardaway breaks down Hankins as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #Deion Hankins #3 & #33  
School (Code)TXEP/University of Texas-El Paso
Class Yr5th year redshirt Junior
Height, Weight6000-226e
40 Yd Dash4.58e
Position/DepthRB-Starter
Honors/CaptainshipDoak Walker Award Candidate (2023)
All-Conference USA Second Team (2022)
Conference USA All-Freshman Team (2020)
Season Viewed (yr)2022
Games WatchedMiddle Tennessee State University, Boise State, New Mexico State
Scout Name / DatePaul “PJ” Hardaway/ September 9th, 2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

202212 GP/ 140 Attempts, 701 Yds, 5.0 Avg, 3 Tds, 4 Rec, 42 Yds, 0 Tds, 10.5 Avg, 144 Plays, 743 Yds, 5.2 Avg, 3 TD
202110 GP/ 121 Attempts, 458 Yds, 3.8 Avg, 6 Tds, 4 Rec, 24 Yds, 0 Tds, 6.0 Avg, 125 Plays, 482 Yds, 3.9 Avg, 6 TD
20207 GP/ 121 Attempts, 592 Yds, 4.9 Avg, 9 Tds, 1 Rec, 3 Yds, 0 Tds 6.0 Avg, 122 Plays, 595 Yds, 4.9 Avg, 9 TD
2019 4 GP/ 9 Attempts, 41 Yds, Rush 0 Tds 4.6 Avg, 0 Rec, 0 Yds, 0 Tds 0 Avg, 9 Plays, 41 Yds, 4.6 Avg, 0 TD

Player Summary:

3-year letterman, 3-year starter that has played in 36 career games and has 26 starts under his belt. A 2023 Doak Walker Award Candidate. Has a thick solid athletic body with big thighs. Harnesses good vision at identifying running lanes quickly and having patience to allow OL to create running lanes. Stays committed in crowded backfield by pressing the line before committing to a run lane for positive yards. Does a good job at following blocks and knowing when to not waste steps when hitting the next gear at the second level. Does not go down on first hit, runs hard by keeping feet moving forward, runs downhill violently. Solid at sticking foot in the ground and getting shoulders square to effectively run through defenders in tight spaces for extra yardage. Has solid COD that allows the ability to stop on a dime and pick up acceleration between tackles once the play is bounced outside. Hardly makes presence known to be an added blocker in pass protection, has a delayed reaction defending QB in pocket when it collapses. Lacks pass blocking ability, does not have a violent punch at point of impact vs defenders blitzing off the edge. Does not maintain balance or leverage vs defenders resulting in sacks or QB hurries out of the pocket. Easily overwhelmed by more aggressive, physical linebackers when picking up blocks at Point of impact from the interior gaps. Needs more work on sinking hips, having proper pad level when blocking, and adjusting to multiple defenders when QB moves out of pocket.

Scheme Fit:

A second to third down back in a spread offense with occasional 2 tight end formations.

Power Statement:

A strong athletic downhill runner that is tough to bring down in tight spaces, with limited steps to get through run lanes, coupled with good vision and play strength.

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