NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: D’Andre Ferby, RB, Western Kentucky University by Matt Anzio

Player: D’Andre Ferby

Position: Running back

School: Western Kentucky

Height: 6’1

Weight: 230 lbs

Draft: 2019

Projected Forty: 4.60  

Projected Round: UDFA

Hometown: Smyrna Tenn

Stats & Awards

Career – 344 carries, 1297 yds, 20 TD’s, 24 catch 132 rec yds

2018 – Limited to 9 games

2018 – 62 carries, 273 yds  6 TD’s

2017- 117 carries, 373 yards, 3 Tds, 9 catch for 33 yds

130 Plays from scrimmage, 457 total yds

2016- Doak Award Watchlist  

Lost for the season after 1 carrie against Rice

2015- Conference USA All Freshman Team

Part of a 2 headed Monster

Had 164 carries 650 yds & 11 TD’s

173 plays 687 yds from scrimmage

Diamond Report

Overview:

Ferby  is a big physical back with legs like tree trunks yet still has a eye opening first step with quick 1 cuts but generally runs straight downhill. Can be somewhat comical if he gets to the third level running over DB’s like he is Godzilla & they are mere mortals.   

Runs over defenders  ridiculous upper & lower body power. Surprisingly fast in the open field ideally a 3rd down or goalline back.  He won’t be denied 1st downs or TD’s had 20 career TD’s with over 1400 scrimmage yards in his career despite missing 2016 & limited 2018. He is thick from head to toe with thick strong powerful legs & thighs. Strong upper body as well really built like a true old school power back. Could be used in the red zone effectively as he has had several multiple TD games in his Collegiate career.

In the Run Game:

Beast like stiff arm then he is off to the races big man is real quick in the open field.  Can make the short yardage first down or break a big chunk play. Make no mistake Ferby is very much a run up the middle isolation type short yardage back.  Used as part of a rotation used in the red zone frequently. Doesn’t hesitate or slow down when changing direction. Grant it he doesn’t change his direction that often but he can shake a defender with quick one cuts then straight downhill.  Monstrous lean uses that 230-pound frame to run through “tackler” get that extra yd, first down or TD. He can be caught from behind but not exactly easy to take him down.

Summary:

Ferby was mostly used in goal line situations this year & was part of a backfield with Joshua Samuel. A  young quick back who had almost double the amount of carries and 641 yds on the ground but only scored 1 TD as he is a much smaller fast RB. Which limited his production but not in the red zone. He might not be an every down back but I really like the way this prospect is built Strong stout almost a throwback.  Not used in the pass game much but does show that he can contribute in the pass game. Believe he can be a strong blocker on pass downs with the proper coaching. This was kind of a disappointing year but that can actually be an upside for a team if they can get him after the draft. If healthy I think he can be a dominant short yardage redzone weapon. Think despite a down year he can get into a camp maybe open some eyes. Can be like a L. Blount type in the endzone. With every team using 2-4 backs every game these days. Could see Ferby making a name for himself rumbling in for scores on Sundays.