RB Tyrone Tracy scouting reports

[MightyGiants]

Cosell

TYRONE TRACY'S 2024 NFL COMBINE RESULTS
Height: 5'11 ⅛"
Weight: 209 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
10-yard split: 1.53 seconds
Vertical jump: 40"
Broad jump: 10'4"
20-yard shuttle: 4.06 seconds


TYRONE TRACY 2024 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS
Good-sized back with natural quickness and loose hips who shows excellent short-area burst and elusiveness.
Shows excellent patience and vision in gap-scheme run game tempo-ing his path to read offensive line pull and defenses.
Explosive short-area burst through the first level of defense with balance and body control to re-accelerate.
Can stop and start and re-accelerate both inside and on the edge. Doesn't slow down or lose stride on his cuts.
Effective in both zone and gap scheme run games showing one-cut downhill burst, patience and tempo.
Accelerating burst and speed to get to the edge and outflank the defense. Can outrun inside-out pursuit.
Outstanding shiftiness and elusiveness in confined space to make defenders miss and create extra yardage.
High-level one-cut downhill ability with sudden change of direction. Works through small creases at first level.
Makes defenders miss in different ways with multiple moves: lateral quickness, spins, physicality and speed.
Brings pass-receiving dimension out of the backfield with the ability to run intermediate and vertical routes.
Shows willingness and tenacity to step up and pass protect vs. blitzing second- and third-level defenders.


WEAKNESSES
Still learning the running back position given his college background as a receiver. Lacks needed experience.
At times, will look for the bigger play when he needs to attack the line of scrimmage and get the hard yards. Is that lack of experience?
Will need more work in the zone-run game where he has to read blocks, gap fluidity and defensive flow.
Doesn't possess home-run speed — won't run away from the defense when he gets past the third level.

NFL TRANSITION
Tracy was a full-time running back for only one season after spending his first five college seasons primarily as a wide receiver, the position at which he was initially recruited to play at Iowa.

While still learning the running back position, he'd likely make the transition to the next level in much the same way that Alvin Kamara and Jahmyr Gibbs are deployed by their respective teams. While Tracy isn't at the level of either back (Kamara in his prime, Gibbs right now going into his second season with the Detroit Lions), he would profile in an offense as a complementary primary back and multidimensional receiving weapon who can line up in multiple locations within the formation and could be especially effective as a detached receiver given his background.

Given the kind of running back that Tracy is and how he will best make the transition to the next level — assuming he will be deployed that way, which I believe is the most effective means for him to play in the league — there aren't a lot of weaknesses in his game. I could see him fitting well into an NFL offense that features the back in the passing game, especially with formation versatility.

Tracy will only get better as a runner with more experience, but he showed strong traits with his natural quickness and burst and his elusiveness making defenders miss in multiple ways. Perhaps most impressively, he showed more than functional physicality and competitive toughness to finish runs. Overall, Tracy is one of my favorite backs to watch, and I believe he is an ascending talent. I'm looking forward to seeing who drafts him and how he's deployed.

OTHER NOTES
Tracy was initially recruited by Iowa as a receiver and played his first four years there before transferring to Purdue for his final two seasons. In 2019 with the Hawkeyes, he had a 36-589-16.4-3 TD stat line; He made the full-time position switch to running back in 2023 and carried the ball 113 times after having only 33 rushes in his first five college seasons.

He was featured at times on jet sweeps in the Purdue offense, and there's no question Tracy can be deployed in multiple ways in the context of an NFL offense — both in terms of alignment, location and concepts. His 20-yard touchdown vs. Northwestern was a strong snapshot of him as a runner: gap scheme with lateral quickness and contact balance with a darting, slashing feel at the second and third levels of the defense. His 28-yard run vs. Indiana was another strong snapshot: inside lead play with Tracy again showing lateral agility to slide from gap to gap and the contact balance to work through tacklers at the second level.

McGinn


12. TYRONE TRACY, Purdue (5-11, 209, 4.48, 4-5): Started 16 of his 38 games as a wide receiver at Iowa from 2018-'21. Had 36 receptions in 2019. Team captain in '21. Transferred to Purdue in 2022 and was a backup wideout before moving to running back last year and flourishing. "Love him," one scout said. "Change of pace guy. Did really well in his first year really playing running back." Posted 113 of his career total of 146 rushes in 2023 when he led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.4). Finished with 947 (6.5) and 10 TDs to go with 113 receptions. "Kind of new to the position so he's feeling it out," a second scout said. "His vision keeps him alive. Like a No. 3 running back who contributes on special teams. Not a powerful back but he's grown into that body and stays on his feet and fights for extra yardage. Has enough speed to get outside. Struggled in pass pro." His 3-cone time of 6.81 led the position. From Indianapolis.

NFL.com

By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 4
NFL Comparison
Bilal Powell
Overview
Tracy was a full-time running back for only one year but had exciting flashes all over his tape. He's a bendy, rhythmic runner who sees and traverses the interior run lanes like he built the maze. He creates additional yardage with a blend of elusiveness, power and a willful desire to maximize each run, but he will need to curb his eagerness to bounce runs wide when it's time to finish and move to the next snap. While he's still honing his skills as a runner, his ability to handle gadget runs and threaten linebackers out of the backfield could get him on the field early on. Tracy will be an older rookie, but his versatility and burgeoning talent as a complementary runner should open evaluators' eyes to what he could become as a pro.

Strengths
Versatility with starting background at receiver and running back.
Loose hips and wide base allow sharp cuts and change of direction.
Glides with consistent pace and processing to find his pathways.
Long strides help him get to the corner on outside runs ahead of pursuit.
Spin moves, jump cuts and contact balance create a high number of yards after contact.
Capable kick returner and cover man on special teams.

Weaknesses
Still learning to run with discipline to the play design.
Needs to balance hero-ball efforts with more focus on moving the run downhill.
Excessive forward lean can lead to some imbalance as a one-cut runner.


Brugler


11. TYRONE TRACY JR. | Purdue 5111 | 209 lbs. | 6SR Indianapolis, Ind. (Decatur Central) 11/23/1999 (age 24.42) #3
BACKGROUND: Tyrone "Tee" Tracy Jr., the second of four boys, was born and raised in the Indianapolis area. His father (Tyrone Sr.) starred at Ben Davis High School
in Indianapolis before a prolific career at Division II Fort Hays State (1986-89), in which he set school records for all-purpose yards in a season and career (he was
inducted into Fort Hays State's Hall of Fame in 2011). Tyrone Tracy Jr. started playing flag football at age 3 and pee-wee tackle football at age 6. He was a multi-sport
athlete throughout childhood, but he shined brightest in basketball and football. Tracy attended Decatur Central High School and saw varsity action as a freshman,
accounting for 960 all-purpose yards as a running back and returner. He became the starting running back as a sophomore and rushed for 1,239 yards and 11
touchdowns, adding 27 receptions for 680 receiving yards.
As a junior, Tracy made more of an impact catching the football (40 receptions for 651 yards and nine touchdowns; 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns). As a
senior captain, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana, as well as first team All-County and All-State for the third straight season. Tracy finished his final
season with 1,412 rushing yards, 1,132 receiving yards and 30 total touchdowns (17 receiving, 13 rushing), and he led Decatur Central to a 10-2 mark and undefeated
record in the conference. He set school records for career receiving yards (2,643), receiving touchdowns (33) and total touchdowns (72). Tracy was also a three-year
starting point guard on the Decatur Central basketball team and lettered in track (sprints, relays and jumps). He set personal bests of 6.94 seconds in the 60 meters,
11.31 seconds in the 100, 23.00 seconds in the 200 and 19 feet, 6.5 inches in the long jump.
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS 32
A three-star recruit, Tracy was the No. 31 running back in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 8 recruit in Indiana. Midway through his sophomore season, in
October 2015, he received his first scholarship offer (Cincinnati). As a junior, Tracy added offe rs from Boston College, Iowa, Louisville, Navy, Northwestern and
Syracuse. He committed to Iowa in April 2017 and ranked as the No. 12 recruit in head coach Kirk Ferentz's 2018 class (center Tyler Linderbaum was No. 1). Although
he signed as a running back, Tracy moved to wide receiver for the Hawkeyes. He was a starter to open the 2021 season, but his snaps fell off a cliff by the end of the
season. Frustrated by his diminished role, Tracy entered the transfer portal in December 2021 and chose Purdue less than a week later. In 2023, he took advantage of
an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the pandemic and returned to West Lafayette for a sixth season.
Both of his younger brothers play football at Miami (Ohio) — Kenny, who broke several of Tracy's records at Decatur Central, is a rising senior RB; Javon is a rising
sophomore WR. His cousin (Larry III) played DB at Indiana (2019-21) before transferring to Illinois State (2022). His cousin (Miles) played college basketball at Indiana
University South Bend (2018-23). Tracy graduated with his degree in communications (May 2023). He accepted his invitation to the 202 4 Hula Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) CAR YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD NOTES
2018: (4/0) 1 -1 -1.0 0 1 22 22.0 0 Iowa; WR; Redshirted; Enrolled in June 2018
2019: (13/8) 6 39 6.5 1 36 589 16.4 3 Iowa; WR
2020: (8/4) 2 22 11.0 0 14 154 11.0 1 Iowa; WR; Pandemic-shortened season
2021: (13/4) 7 33 4.7 1 15 106 7.1 1 Iowa; WR; Team captain
2022: (14/5) 17 138 8.1 0 28 198 7.1 0 Purdue; WR
2023: (11/9) 113 716 6.3 8 19 132 6.9 0 Purdue; RB; Led team in rushing TDs; 98-yard KR TD; Missed one game (injury)
Total: (63/30) 146 947 6.5 10 113 1,201 10.6 5
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 5111 209 9 1/8 31 3/4 76 5/8 4.48 2.62 1.56 40 10'4" 4.06 6.81 - (no bench press — choice)
PRO DAY 5112 209 9 31 1/4 76 3/4 - - - - - - - 20 (bench only; stood on combine — choice)
STRENGTHS: Well-built athlete with above-average speed ... shifty cutting skills to make steep backside cuts and quickly clear the first wave (averaged 4.44 yards after
contact in 2023) ... abruptly adjusts his pacing to shake defenders in space ... has enough run strength to drive through uncommitted tackles ... receiver background
shows when he is targeted out of the backfield ... eager to body up defenders in pass pro and scans quickly to pick up blitzes ... only one career fumble (none in 2023)
... ranked second in the Big Ten in kick-return yardage in 2023, including a 98-yard touchdown return (17/428/1) ... also stood out on kick and punt coverages (six
special-teams tackles) ... led the team with nine total touchdowns in 2023 (eight rushing, one kick return).
WEAKNESSES: Inconsistent anticipating run lanes and eyes get too big for his appetite ... needs to be more efficient pressing and setting up blocks ... overly patient on
some runs, too impatient on others ... momentum occasionally stalls out of his jump cuts and late to hit the gas ... slight hip tightness limits his fluidity out in space ...
guilty of running before securing catches and had a pair of drops (and a few bobbles) on his 2023 tape ... willing as a pass bl ocker but needs to sharpen his technique
... missed the Ohio State game in October 2023 because of injury ... will turn 25 during his rookie season ... spent only one of six college seasons as a running back.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Purdue, Tracy played a "WideBack" position in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell's scheme, which utilized h is skills as both a
running back and wide receiver. After four seasons as a receiver at Iowa, his versatility as ball carrie r blossomed in West Lafayette, and in 2023 he led the Big Ten in
rushing yards per carry (6.34). Displaying natural instincts with the ball in his hands, Tracy runs with the dynamic agility and elusiveness to slip tackles from different
angles (21.9 percent of his carries in 2023 resulted in a 10-plus-yard run, which ranked top five in the FBS). However, his inexperience at running back shows in his
sporadic tendencies when choosing run lanes. Overall, Tracy needs to improve his decision-making at the line of scrimmage, but he can create with his quick lateral
cuts and contact balance — and he can stay on the field on passing downs. He is a multi-dimensional threat as a rusher, receiver and special teamer, which
increases his chances of commanding an NFL roster spot.
GRADE: 4th Round


Tyrone Tracy, Purdue: A recent convert to the position from wide receiver, Tracy has excellent open-field skills, good
acceleration and speed, and raw power. If he can learn how to work between the tackles, Tracy could develop into a lead
back or high-end contributor in a committee.
Michael Wiley, Arizona: The athletic ability and

[MightyGiants]

PFF

Tracy spent most of his college football career at wide
receiver but never made the impact he had envisioned. He
has an upright running style but remains balanced on his feet
for yards after contact. He has a make-you-miss running style
due to good elusiveness and one-cut ability. His lack of
experience at running back yields inconsistencies in how he
reads blocks. On third downs, his hands and route running
are impressive. Although he brings good length and a
willingness to pass block, his strength and confidence are
still hit or miss.
PROFILE
• Natural athlete in whatever he's asked to do.
• Upright, tall running style but remains balanced through contact.
• Explosive and fast enough to get to and up the sideline.
• Experienced and talented receiver out of the backfield who can
 run any route.
• Natural make-you-miss type of running style — nicknamed himself
 "Sweet Feet" for that reason.
• Good length but currently lacks strength/confidence in pass
 protection.
• Hands are inconsistent in pass protection.
• Inconsistent vision, which is understandable, given he's played
 RB for one season.

[brownelvis54]

BOOOOOOOOOO

[MightyGiants]

Waldman

The Elevator Pitch: Tracy spent four years as a wide receiver and return specialist at Iowa. Watch his Iowa tape and you
see a wealth of trapping targets to his body and fighting the football, which is among the reasons why he's more intriguing
as a running back.
Tracy is an elusive runner who layers movements in the open field to avoid defenders. He gets his feet and knees high
enough to get over low shots and he can do this while making elusive moves against pursuit.
Tracy has an excellent stiff-arm that he can deliver with reach and power. He uses his pads well when he prepares for
contact, but he can improve his overall body lean when he runs between the tackles.
Tracy is a promising athlete with elite change of direction quickness that he applies well as a running back but may have
room to get even better as he becomes more adept as a decision maker between the tackles. Tracy can make an early
impact in the D'Andre Swift-Kenyan Drake role as a player earning the ball in open space or handed the ball on plays
between the tackles that are designed to simulate open space such as draws and toss plays.
A short-term trap-door that could undermine success in this role could be ball security because most of his touches came as
a receiver and he has careless moments with ball security between the tackles. If he can continue to learn the position
quickly, he could become a productive committee option by the end of his first contract.
Where is the player inconsistent? Pressing the line of scrimmage
What is the best scheme fit? Spread scheme that feeds him draws, toss, screens, and RPOs.
What is his ceiling scenario? A lead back who has learned to run efficiently and intelligently between the tackles.
What is his floor scenario? A return specialist and occasional gadget player in an offensive rotation.