What a great surprise Irons was for Auburn last year. You lose two running backs to the first round of the draft, and this former South Carolina transfer really steps up. When you hear the football cliché "homerun threat," it's Irons they are talking about. He's very, very fast, and just seems to pull away from everyone on the field, when he gets a crease. Irons has a compact build, with a strong lower body, and shows good vision, and an amazing burst.
NEGATIVES
Irons doesn't have great size, and can't be a pounder back, between the tackles. Irons averaged right around 20 carries a game, but he really needs to be rested at times, with other backs, so he doesn't get dinged up. Not being a power runner at all, he isn't strong in short yardage. He hasn't shown much as a wide out, out of the backfield, and isn't a strong blocker.
FINAL WORD
Irons is a very explosive player, who really burst on the scene last year. He may never be a feature back in the NFL, because he's not nearly physical enough, but as a situational player, with all that speed, he'll be tempting to a lot of teams. Guys like Brad Lester and Carl Stewart will steal touches from Irons, which could hurt his stats, but his measurables cannot be denied. The kid is blazing fast, and you give him a crease and he's gone.
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