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This is something I'm always interested in, looking at the Body Mass Index of running backs in each new class. The NFL norm is usually between 28-32. Being on the upper side of 30 usually indicates a power back, and being under 30 usually indicates a quicker back. I've included all the players measured at this year's combined, and plugged in the guys that were the Top 15 rushers this past year in the league for comparison as well...

Player ( Height / Weight ) BMI
Michael Turner ( 5-10 / 244 ) 35.0
Allen Bradford ( 5-11 / 242 ) 33.9
Delone Carter ( 5-9 / 222 ) 33.1
Mario Fannin ( 5-10 / 231 ) 32.8
Maurice Jones-Drew ( 5-7 / 208 ) 32.6
Rashard Mendenhall ( 5-10 / 225 ) 32.3
Ray Rice ( 5-8 / 212 ) 32.2
Jamie Harper ( 5-11 / 233 ) 32.2
Matt Asiata ( 5-11 / 229 ) 31.9
Jacquizz Rodgers ( 5-6 / 196 ) 31.8
Peyton Hillis ( 6-1 / 240 ) 31.7
Cedric Benson ( 5-11 / 227 ) 31.7
Mark Ingram ( 5-9 / 215 ) 31.6
Stevan Ridley ( 5-11 / 225 ) 31.2
Mike Leshoure ( 6-0 / 227 ) 31.1
Vai Taua ( 5-10 / 213 ) 31.0
Daniel Thomas ( 6-0 / 230 ) 31.0
Ryan Williams ( 5-9 / 212 ) 31.0
Kendall Hunter ( 5-7 / 199 ) 30.9
Darren Evans ( 6-0 / 227 ) 30.8
John Clay ( 6-1 / 230 ) 30.8
Dion Lewis ( 5-7 / 193 ) 30.6
Brandon Saine ( 5-11 / 220 ) 30.5
Alex Green ( 6-0 / 225 ) 30.3
Steven Jackson ( 6-2 / 236 ) 30.3
Anthony Allen ( 6-1 / 228 ) 30.3
Roy Helu ( 6-0 / 219 ) 30.1
Johnny White ( 5-10 / 209 ) 30.1
Jordan Todman ( 5-9 / 203 ) 30.1
Damien Berry ( 5-10 / 211 ) 30.1
Armando Allen ( 5-8 / 199 ) 30.0
Arian Foster ( 6-1 / 227 ) 29.9
Shane Vereen ( 5-10 / 210 ) 29.9
Shaun Draughn ( 5-11 / 213 ) 29.8
Da'Rel Scott ( 5-11 / 211 ) 29.4
Graig Cooper ( 5-10 / 205 ) 29.4
Bilal Powell ( 5-11 / 207 ) 29.3
Ahmad Bradshaw ( 5-9 / 198 ) 29.2
Evan Royster ( 6-0 / 212 ) 29.1
LeSean McCoy ( 5-11 / 208 ) 29.0
DeMarco Murray ( 6-0 / 213 ) 29.0
Adrian Peterson ( 6-1 / 217 ) 28.6
Derrick Locke ( 5-8 / 188 ) 28.4
Matt Forte ( 6-2 / 218 ) 28.0
Jamaal Charles ( 5-11 / 199 ) 27.8
Noel Devine ( 5-8 / 179 ) 27.6
Darren McFadden ( 6-2 / 210 ) 27.0
Chris Johnson ( 5-11 / 191 ) 26.6
Taiwan Jones ( 6-0 / 194 ) 26.6

Here's a link to past discussions of this topic: http://www.falcfans.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9673

Your link is to a William Moore article.

It's interesting that it breaks pretty cleanly into powerbacks (32 BMI roughly and up) or speedier guys (29 bmi or below).

I would have thought that 30, 31 would be where you want to be. I wonder if it holds most years, that being "in the middle" doesn't get you there.

Sorry, here's the correct link: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7349


I think 30-31 is the "sweet spot" because it usually represents a player that is a bit of both. Take Steven Jackson for instance. I know he's not as explosive as he used to be, but 5 years ago he was a very good combo of speed/power. During his prime, LT was somewhere around 31. Fred Taylor was just around 31 in his prime as well.

For power runners, if I was their coach, I'd prefer them to be at least 31+ Take for instance, guys like Bilal Powell or Anthony Allen. For their more powerful running styles, in order for them to be at the 31 BMI, Powell needs to put on another 12 pounds and get up to 219 with his frame. Allen needs to be 233 with his frame.

Someone like Clay, who is a power runner, but because he's not as naturally explosive as say someone like Turner, you want to keep them as close to 30 as possible. Reports say during his sophomore year (2009), he was up in that Turner range of around 35. If he could run a 4.45 like Turner, that would be fine. But since he's only a 4.65 guy, then he needs to be as light as possible.

Yeah, 30-31 seems the sweet spot to me as well, but it's interesting that this year, almost all the top 15 guys were one or the other (heavy or light).

Still, I'd opt for the combo (can do some of both) most times.

sweet spot!