The 5 Most Successful Small-School Running Backs in the NFL
Derrick Blaylock
College: Stephen F. Austin State University (FCS)
Drafted: 2001, 5th Round (150th Overall)
Career Total NEP: 30.71
Built in the same mold as Jones-Drew or Ray Rice, our next running back was overlooked by big schools because they could literally look over him. Derrick Blaylock stands just 5’8’’ but was a solid 205 pounds during his playing days.
At Class 3A Atlanta High School in Texas, Blaylock was a three-time three sport All-District selection in track, basketball, and football. He was unheralded coming out of a smaller athletic program, though -- Texas high school sports go up to Class 5A -- and did not attract colleges in the FBS. He instead stayed close to home, attending FCS program Stephen F. Austin.
Even there he wasn’t given a chance to start until his senior year because of battles with hamstring injuries and superior talent on the team. In only 31 total appearances in college, he still finished seventh in school history for career rushing yards.
From there, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted him in the 5th Round of the 2001 Draft, and he put together a fine six-year career, with three years above replacement-level in terms of annual Total NEP.
