Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech - NFL Draft Player Profile

Running back nicknames are oddly reliable when it comes to communicating the specific skills of a running back. Beast mode. The bus. All day. Tractorcito. Does Virginia Tech Are running back and 2021 NFL Draft prospect Khalil “Juice” Herbert continuing this trend? Here’s a look at his NFL draft profile and how he might project professionally.

Khalil Herbert NFL Draft Profile Height: 5 feet 9 Weight: 212 pounds Position: Running Back School: Virginia Tech Current year: Redshirt Senior

Until the 2020 season, Khalil Herbert was largely an unknown. He took a different path than most for his rise to the NFL Draft, and for a while he wasn’t even on the radar. Herbert began his football career in Plantation, Florida as a running back for American Heritage High School. There, Herbert did enough to win a three star billing in the recruiting class of 2016.

Herbert had a 35-inch vertical on the disc, but he lacked elite size and speed. So, he didn’t get much interest in Power Five. Most of its offerings came from lesser-known schools like Fordham, Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State, and Georgia State. For much of the year, Herbert waited for better deals. And late in the process, the Kansas Jayhawks stepped in and presented a game for Herbert. He signed with Kansas, eager to play on the Power Five stage.

Khalil Herbert’s journey to becoming a Virginia Tech come back

Herbert recorded playing time early in his career, but he never really established himself as a major threat with the Jayhawks. In 2016, Herbert had 189 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries. In 2017, he went for 663 yards and four touchdowns on 120 attempts.

With the arrival of 2018, Herbert’s production fell again. After increasing his yards per attempt to 5.5, Herbert arrived with just 499 yards and five scores on 113 attempts in his true junior season. As a true senior in 2019, Herbert was little more than an ancillary threat.

Nonetheless, he showed his advantage, going for 384 yards and two touchdowns on just 43 attempts. This 2019 season, while less involved, would prove to be crucial in giving Herbert the next opportunity.

Herbert’s only season with Virginia Tech Hokies in 2020

Herbert acquired valuable educational knowledge in Kansas, obtaining a degree in business administration. However, on the pitch, the juice just wasn’t worth the squeeze.

Ahead of the 2020 season, Herbert entered the portal as graduate transfer, aimed at increasing its prestige as a prospect project. Choosing between Nebraska and Virginia Tech, Herbert ultimately chose the Hokies. And it was with Virginie Tech that the running back has had his best season.

The Hokies have used Herbert at a much higher level, and he’s recorded career highs in almost every category in 2020. Playing in 11 games, Herbert has 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns on 155 attempts, or 7.6 yards. per race. He also caught ten passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Virginia Tech the running back was a All-ACC selection in third team, finally gaining the recognition he lacked in Kansas.

After his 2020 breakout campaign, Herbert declared himself for the 2021 NFL Draft. He also accepted an invitation to Reese’s Senior Bowl in 2021.

Khalil Herbert’s NFL Draft Profile Analysis

Khalil Herbert is a fun runner to watch. It definitely brings some sort of juice, and it’s not citrus. Herbert has a fair amount of explosiveness in the open field, and he also has exceptional long speed.

It’s not a jack of all trades, but it should point somewhere in the 4.4s or early 4.5s. With this speed, Herbert can lie down …