<div>After watching Danny Woodhead dominate this year, I did some research, hoping to find the answer to these 2 specific questions: 1) Did other smaller scatbacks/all-purpose backs face the "too small" label while going through the D1 recruitment and NFL Draft process like Danny Woodhead did? 2) How does Danny measure up stastically to these backs? Here's what I found out:</div>
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<div>(Note: YPC=yards per carry)</div>
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The "smaller than Woodhead but you will never hear the media obsess about it like they do Danny" guys:</div>
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Garrett Wolfe- 5'7" 180lbs- Had a stellar high school career, signed with D1 NIU, after very successful college career was drafted in the 3rd round by the Chicago Bears.</div>
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NFL Numbers: 2.0 YPC this year (in very limited action),
3.9 YPC career, 11.7 YPCatch career</div>
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Darren Sproles- 5'6" 180lbs- Had a stellar high school career, signed with D1 powerhouse Kansas State, after very succesful college career was drafted in 4th round by the San Diego Chargers.</div>
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4.9 YPC this year, 4.5 YPC career, 8.7 YPCatch this year, 9.5 YPCatch career</div>
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The "roughly the same size as Danny but the media won't tell you that" guys:</div>
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Leon Washington-5'8" 200 lbs.-Received "prestigious" 5-star rating from Rivals coming out of high school (as a cornerback of all things), signed with D1 powerhouse Florida State, after successful college career was drafted in the 4th round by NY Jets. </div>
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3.7 YPC this year, 4.7 YPC career, 9.2 YPCatch this year, 7.9 YPCatch career</div>
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Maurice Jones-Drew 5'7" 200 lbs- Received "prestigious" number 1 all-purpose back ranking from Rivals, signed with D1 powerhouse UCLA, after very successful college career was drafted in the 2nd round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.</div>
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4.4 YPC this year, 4.6 YPC career, 9.3 YPCatch this year, 8.9 YPCatch career</div>
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Ray Rice 5'8" 205 lbs - Was considered as New Jersey's number 1 prospect by Rivals, signed with D1 Rutgers, after very successful college career was drafted in the 2nd round by the Baltimore Ravens. </div>
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4.0 YPC this year, 4.6 YPC career, 9.4 YPCatch this year, 9.5 YPCatch career</div>
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AND FINALLY...</div>
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Danny Woodhead 5'8" 200lbs- Received ZERO D1 offers after record setting high school career as he was considered waaaaaay too small, had stellar career at D2 Chadron State where he won D2's equivalent to the Heisman two years in a row, rushed for 7,962 yards (NCAA record at the time), 9,749 all-purpose yards (NCAA 2nd all-time), was UNDRAFTED by the NFL. Signed as undrafted free agent by the Jets. Cut 3 times, after sitting on waivers for 5 days was finally picked up by the New England Patriots after a Maroney trade forced their hand.</div>
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5.6 YPC this year, 5.4 YPC career, 11.1 YPCatch this year and career</div>
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<div>I don't think I have to tell anyone on this site what the conclusion of my little research project is. Any lurkers out there, take note. No matter what the media tells you, Danny Woodhead was NOT passed over for a D1 scholarship nor went undrafted because he was waaaaaaay too small. But, he was definitely waaaaaaaay too "something else"
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