I agree with Carolina Speed on Steele. White running backs starring on small schools are never given anything close to respect leading up to the NFL draft and the draft itself, though there's a chance Laube may be an exception this year. Steele averaged 5.4 yards per carry at Ball State, 5.1 at UCLA. Which is more impressive in the eyes of scouts and "draft gurus"? It's not even close. And, 847 rushing yards as a part-time back at UCLA is more impressive than 1,556 yards as a full-time back at Ball State.
I've frankly been shocked by all the favorable pre-draft publicity and mock draft respect Ricky Pearsall and Ladd McConkey are getting. But they are getting it because both played in the SEC. And Will Shipley may not be getting the respect we'd like but he's getting some and could be drafted on the second day of the draft, and as a running back not a fullback. Playing in the ACC and specifically for a strong Clemson program has helped greatly in that regard. So unless Pearsall, McConkey and Shipley are all screwed in this year's draft, it's pretty clear that playing for a top program (as defined by the narratives of the media) noticeably enhances the chances of a White RB or WR to overcome some of the institutionalized hurdles of the Caste System.
As for Steele, hopefully he has a very strong pro day. I'd like to see him actually drafted rather than going the FA route. It gives him a stronger chance to see playing time if he has some draft capital, and with the way RBs get injured in the NFL, it's possible though not likely that he could prosper in the NFL at some point. Rex Burkhead was drafted in the sixth round and even though he had to serve a four year racial apprenticeship, he stuck in the league and eventually showed how talented he was as both a runner and receiver and ended up having a long pro career, while during the same time frame dozens of White RBs who starred at small schools never got a whiff of the NFL.
