Rookie free agent profile: Calvin Middleton, FB/RB, Jacksonville State

Calvin Middleton 5'10" 230
RB, Jacksonville State

Rankings: NFL Draft Bible: 20th-ranked fullback. Free agent grade.
NFLDraftScout: Listed but not ranked in the top 138 running backs.
Pro Football Weekly: not listed.



Biography/honors:
2011: Played in all 11 games, number of starts not listed. 167 carries for 723 yards (4.3 ypc) and 8 TDs. 20 receptions for 135 yards (6.8 ypc) and 2 TDs. 
2010: Played in nine games, started five. 118 carries for 514 yards (4.4 ypc) and 7 TDs. 11 receptions for 85 yards (7.7 ypc).
2009: Played in all 11 games, started five. 126 carries for 629 yards (5.0 ypc) and 6 TDs. Five catches for 66 yards (13.2 ypc) and a TD.
2008: Played in seven games with one start. 16 carries for 75 yards (4.7 ypc) and 3 TDs. Three catches for 13 yards.

Major: criminal justice. Good, the Rams have a rookie on the other side of the taser for a change.

Injuries:
2010: Missed three games and was limited to one carry two other times due to a turf toe-like injury.

Pro day stats: (NFL Combine RB averages in parentheses)
4.6-4.7 range 40-yard dash (4.6)
1.6 (est.) 10-yard split (1.57)
7.1 3-cone drill (7.06)
4.3 20-yard shuttle (4.22)

Note: hand-timed by RamView against YouTube of Jacksonville State's pro day because official results don't appear to be published anywhere. 

Positives: Plays both tailback and fullback. Big-back with small-back speed. Good-sized and well-built. North-south runner who can break tackles. Has strong lower body and is hard to bring down. Doesn't go down on first contact. Excellent vision and quickness. Has deceptive speed and is a better receiver with better hands than the typical big back. Deceptive elusiveness after the catch and as a downfield runner. Effective lead blocker who beats defenders to the point of attack and packs a punch. Strong chip blocker. Doesn't fumble much. Good pass protector who takes pride in his blocking. Smart player who plays to the whistle. Respectable pro day times despite some footing problems and a very amateur timer.

Negatives: Was just part of a three- or more-headed rushing attack on teams that passed a lot. Won't make many people miss. May look to bounce a play outside more than he should. Ended up at Jacksonville State instead of Alabama or UAB due to academic issues. Played at a school whose athletic department doesn't keep statistics up-to-date on its website or post its players' pro day results.

Compares to: according to a couple of scouts, Mike Tolbert.

Fun Facts: It wasn't Appalachian State vs. Michigan, but it was close: Division I-AA Jacksonville State beat Ole Miss 49-48 in double-overtime in 2010. The Gamecocks erased a 31-10 deficit, scored a TD in double-OT on 4th-and-15, and Middleton won the game with a two-point conversion off a dumpoff pass into a crowd at the goal line.

RamView: The Rams will be looking at Middleton as a fullback or hybrid back, and as president of the Ben Guidugli fan club, I have to admit I'm a little nervous. Calvin is a better blocker and pass-protector than you typically see from a rookie running back, and his rushing and receiving ability are unlike anything you'll see from any of the Rams' fullback candidates this year or their fullbacks of recent years. I think Middleton's got his own fate in his hands here. If he can pop on special teams, show he can block at a much higher level of competition and play fast at about 15 pounds more than his college weight, the Rams' cattle call for fullbacks and H-backs will be all the more interesting.

Chance of making roster: 30%.

Sources: NFLDraftScout, Jacksonville State athletics, Stats LLC, ESPN, Wikipedia, College2Pro.com, YouTube, NFL Draft Bible

Photo: USA Today