NFL Draft Profile: Hassan Haskins, Running Back, Michigan Wolverines
#25
Pos: RB
Ht: 6020
Wt: 228
Hands: 0928
Arms: 3168
Bench: 27
DOB: 11/26/99
Eligible: 2022
Eureka, MO
Eureka Senior High School
Hassan Haskins
Michigan Wolverines
Pros:
The Michigan offense has lived and died by its rushing attack by committee in recent years. The 2021 season has been no different, as Hassan Haskins has grown into a dependable power back. Listed as a linebacker during his freshman season, the Wolverines’ star is still growing every week. Haskins is well-built for the position and runs with incredible effort. Though he is still learning, the Missouri native works well in a power-run scheme. A one-cut back with a north-south rushing tendency, Haskins is very linearly explosive. That said, he wins thanks to his power. He regularly lowers his shoulder into engagement. His persistent leg drive enables him to run through contact and fall forward. Similarly, his lower body strength allows him to work through arm tackles. At the second level, Haskins uses a well-timed stiff arm. The Michigan standout rarely loses yards, as his burst and size create momentum in short areas. Haskins has a knack for contorting his body to melt through contact. While Haskins is not yet a refined or instinctive runner, he plays off of his blockers very well and patiently allows the play to develop ahead of him. He has grown into a decisive runner. While Haskins has decent hands out of the backfield, his best contributions in the passing game come as a blocker. He flashes power, technique, and awareness in pass protection. At the next level, the former linebacker offers special teams value; he is a strong linear athlete who works hard for tackles on turnovers.
Cons:
Despite his various promising traits, the Wolverines’ star running back’s projection to the NFL has a somewhat capped ceiling. The career committee back in college will fit best in an early-down role in a gap or power scheme at the next level. On the field, Haskins’s vision is an evident concern; his best plays come working in structure and he fails to consistently create for himself. What’s more, he is not an instinctive player with the ball in his hands. He chooses the first hole he sees, is too risk-averse, and leaves yards on the field. Further, Haskins’s top speed is not sufficient to break long touchdowns; he is regularly caught and brought down in the open field. He is fairly stiff in his change of direction and slows down out of his cuts. As a result, Haskins’s frequent attempts to make opponents miss in space are generally unsuccessful. His limited lateral agility and inability to consistently string cuts together make him slow to the hole at times. Moreover, Haskins does not break many tackles. His power and leg drive see him drag defenders and fall forward; that said, he rarely stays on his feet to take on additional opponents. As a receiver, Haskins’s route running lacks fluidity and salesmanship. His blocking technique in pass protection regressed in 2021 and he is ineffective as a lead blocker.
Summary:
Big, explosive running backs often find roles in the NFL. Hassan Haskins has the size and linear burst to make a roster early in his career and see the field in a gap or power run scheme. What’s more, he has the play strength to operate in short-yardage situations. Still, the Michigan standout lacks the fluidity and top speed to serve as an every-down back. He can be a high-level special teamer. He has spot-starter and consistent contributor potential.
Background:
Born November 26th, 1999 in St. Louis, Missouri, Hassan Haskins was a standout athlete at Eureka Senior High School. In his junior year, the star two-way player recorded 34 tackles and 12 sacks; on offense, he put up 1,509 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 242 attempts. He also made 36 receptions for 294 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior, Haskins ran for 2,197 yards and 31 touchdowns on 255 carries. He also caught 12 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he made 25 tackles, nine sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He helped lead his team to the Missouri Class 6A State Semifinals in 2017. Haskins’s stellar high school career earned him a three-star rating from 247Sports Composite Rankings. The same service named him the 975th-best recruit in the nation, the 49th-ranked running back in his class, and the 11th-overall player from Missouri that year. As a freshman at Michigan, Haskins saw the field in three games on special teams while listed as a linebacker. As a sophomore, he was listed as a running back and appeared in all thirteen games - he played offense in 12 and special teams in four. In the 2019 season, he ran for 622 yards and four touchdowns while also recording 40 receiving yards. He made three special team tackles and was named Michigan’s Offensive Most Improved Player. He also earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from coaches and the media. As a junior in a COVID-limited season, Haskins appeared in all six games with two starts at running back; he also played special teams. He led the team with 61 carries for 375 yards and six touchdowns. In 2021, the senior was voted an alternate captain by his teammates. Through the mid-season point, Haskins has been a standout in the Wolverines’ two-headed rushing attack. He is majoring in American Culture in Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
One-Liners
A well-built and athletic back, Hassan Haskins has the linear burst and power to make a roster early in a gap or power scheme; while his long speed and stiffness will preclude him from an every-down role, he can contribute in a committee and play on all special teams units.
Grades
Current Player Value/Potential Player Value
6.9 / 7.6
Floor/Ceiling: Special Teams Contributor / Role Player in Committee Backfield
Scheme Fit: Gap/Power Run
Grade: 6th Round
Quotes:
"I’m trying to sharpen my entire game, but my main focus is improving my blocking form. I know I’ll have to block linebackers at the next level. I also want to fix my footwork between the holes. I’ll need to squeeze into tight windows when I’m in the NFL." -- Hassan Haskins on the areas of his game he is trying to improve upon
Latest News:
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch: With the rare size and excellent strength for the position, Hassan Haskins is a load to bring down. The 6-1, 223-pound bruiser from St. Louis played in three games as a freshman but truly burst onto the scene as a sophomore when he averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry. During the shortened 2020 season and while splitting time in the deep Wolverine backfield, Haskins displayed his foot quickness and ability to break tackles to the tune of 6.1 yards per carry and a team-leading six rushing touchdowns. While NFL scouts would like to see him more involved in the passing game in 2021, Haskins’ eagerness to play on special teams the past couple of years speaks to his toughness and unselfish nature – two aspects NFL teams covet from the running back position. (08/21/21)
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