2024 NFL Draft Profile: Marshall RB Rasheen Ali

Rasheen Ali defied expectations in several ways during his time with the Mashall Thundering Herd. When he played at his best, the Herd were one of the Sun

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Rasheen Ali defied expectations in several ways during his time with the Mashall Thundering Herd. When he played at his best, the Herd were one of the Sun Belt's best teams.

Now, as he prepares for the professional game, he'll once again face an uphill battle, but could show tremendous upside with the right situation.

Here are the important things to know about one of the G5's better running backs in recent memory.

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Background

Measurements: 6’0" – 205 pounds

A former two-star prospect, Ali has been one of the best and arguably most unheralded running backs in the nation over the past three seasons at Marshall.

Taking over as a starter in Charles Huff’s backfield in 2021, Ali burst onto the college football scene by leading the nation in rushing touchdowns with 21 and rushed for over 1,400 yards as a sophomore.

The Cleveland native was set to follow-up the 2021 campaign, but after rushing for nearly six yards per carry on 47 attempts, Ali chose to step away from the team to address his “mental, physical and emotional health” and didn’t return to the field with the emergence of Thundering Herd running back Khalan Laborn, who rushed for 1,516 yards during the 2022 season.

After rejoining the team as a full participant in the offseason, Ali again picked up his all-conference form, rushing for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

For his career, Ali rushed for over 100 yards 11 times and has been one of the highest-rated backs per Pro Football Focus during his four seasons in Huntington.

The Strengths

Ali’s draft stock will be aided by a strong pro day, should he be able to participate, but the most immediate quality of his playing style that will transfer to the next level is a natural rushing ability. Despite playing at the Group of Five level, the six-foot, 205-pounder performed well against superior competition, rushing for 174 yards against Virginia Tech and ran for a combined 344 yards in three bowl game appearances.

Additionally, Ali has 75 career receptions including 45 during his 2021 campaign – being a more than proven weapon out of the backfield. Playing for Marshall head coach Charles Huff, who spent eight seasons coaching running backs with Alabama, Penn State, Mississippi State and the Buffalo Bills, should provide Ali with a pro-level understanding of the position.

Ali was having an impressive senior bowl week per several reports, but ruptured his biceps tendon in Mobile. As of now, it’s not expected that he’ll be able to perform at the NFL combine and also leaves his pro day status in question.

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Combine Stats

N/A (Did not participate due to injury)

What's Next

The senior bowl injury leaves his draft prep in the air, but he’s expected to be ready to go by the start of the 2024 season. Ali’s body of work at the collegiate level almost assures that team’s will take a strong look at him during the draft – but should he not be able to participate in any of the athletic testing drills, it may leave him looking at being an undrafted free agent at worst or, at best, a day three selection.