So short arms are now a thing for (white) running backs too!Here's another story about Schrader, filled with overly dramatic descriptions of his negatives. Well down in the article the 800 pound elephant in the room is identified, but of course it's a black dude who has to say it:
So why didn’t the 49ers — or any of the NFL’s 31 other teams — make Schrader one of the 257 players selected in April’s draft?
Luper, a former skeptic who became a true believer, gets it. Schrader isn’t particularly big (202 pounds) and ran a plodding 40-yard dash (4.61 seconds) before the draft. At the combine, his arm measurement (28-1/8 inches) was the shortest among 29 running backs and raised questions about his catching radius and ability to block blitzing linebackers.
Luper thinks those deficiencies helped obscure elite traits such as lightning-fast feet and X-ray vision. Those qualities explain why a back lacking blazing speed ranked second in FBS with 11 runs of 30-plus yards and was one of three players with 230-plus carries to average at least 5.9 yards an attempt.
Luper, who is black, also has said he believes Schrader’s skin color was a factor. Schrader was the first white running back to lead the SEC in rushing since Alabama’s Johnny Musso in 1971, according to ESPN. He also was just the second SEC rushing leader to go undrafted in the past 33 seasons (the other being Alabama’s Shaud Wiliams, 2003).
“He has a great story,” Luper said. “A phenomenal story. But he has a tremendous skill set.”
I know it is early but I’m predicting, based on the info coming out, the Persall has a big role this year!"Insider" update on Ricky Persall's potential role as a rookie:
49ers Insider Shares Promising Trend For Rookie WR
The San Francisco 49ers are currently set at wide receiver with legitimate threats in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. But Aiyuk is angling for awww.thecoldwire.com
The 49ers drafted RB Isaac Guerendo out of Louisville by way of Wisconsin in the fourth round. He reminds me of Kalen Ballage as like Ballage, Guerendo is touted as an almost otherworldly combination of size and speed yet he only rushed for 1,392 total yards in six years of college competition.
Ballage ended up being one of the worst running backs in NFL history, running for 665 yards over four NFL seasons with his rushing average being a pathetic 3.1 yards. What's that saying about deja vu all over again?
If Guerendo does end up being a flop, that will help Cody Schrader's cause. Since Guerendo was drafted and Schrader wasn't, I expect Cody to be on the practice squad to begin this season, perhaps all season, as the injury prone Elijah Mitchell and journeyman type Jordan Mason are still on the roster. As always, Schrader will have to be patient and endure what will almost surely be a racial apprenticeship if he ever gets a chance in the NFL, but a likely bust like Guerendo makes his path easier.
A nice article on Schrader.
RB Cody Schrader
May 10, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Cody Schrader (38) runs drills during the 49ers rookie minicamp at LeviÕs Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports
Yeah, we’re going with Schrader over fourth-round rookie running back Isaac Guerendo. The Mizzou product went undrafted and signed with the 49ers after the draft ended. Perhaps he doesn’t make the team. The intrigue comes in the fact that he just might be their second-best RB behind Christian McCaffrey, which would certainly throw a wrench in the depth chart.
Schrader had about 800 extra rushing and receiving yards than guerendo. And even tho guerendo ran a 4.33 they both ran a 1.55 ten yard split. Schrader is the better rb, hopefully he gets his shot to prove itA nice article on Schrader.
RB Cody Schrader
May 10, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Cody Schrader (38) runs drills during the 49ers rookie minicamp at LeviÕs Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports
Yeah, we’re going with Schrader over fourth-round rookie running back Isaac Guerendo. The Mizzou product went undrafted and signed with the 49ers after the draft ended. Perhaps he doesn’t make the team. The intrigue comes in the fact that he just might be their second-best RB behind Christian McCaffrey, which would certainly throw a wrench in the depth chart.