Unique Senior Bowl interviews: RBs Jarquez Hunter, R.J. Harvey have the flexibility, pass-catching expertise to succeed

The Cleveland Browns have lived and died with the run sport. Or, at the least they did. Lately, not a lot. Starter Nick Chubb destroyed his knee in 2023 and since then the dashing assault has fallen off. Will the offense as soon as once more develop into a working juggernaut? Or will the passing sport develop into their focus?

RELATED: FORMER BROWNS RB COACH TALKS ABOUT HIS TIME IN CLEVELAND

In any regard, each workforce should be capable of run the soccer. And to do that, you want a succesful again. Will Chubb return in 2025? In that case, will he decide up the place he left off, or be a symbolic signing however obtain minimal snaps?

The Browns might want to draft a working again this yr in the event that they don’t dip into free company. D’Onta Foreman received’t be again, and which may be Chubb’s destiny as properly. Jerome Ford is serviceable, however not a house run risk. Pierre Sturdy is a succesful RB3 and Nyheim Hines hasn’t seen the sphere but.

On the Reese’s Senior Bowl, there are a number of succesful our bodies. DBN’s Barry Shuck interviewed two potential working backs for the Browns to think about:

Photograph by Andy Lyons/Getty Pictures

RB Jarquez Hunter – Auburn
5’-10”, 209 kilos
4.44 40 time
Projected spherical: 4

Q: What is going to NFL groups instantly discover about your taking part in expertise?

A: Versatility. A man who can are available, run arduous, catch passes, and be a very good blocker when referred to as to remain within the pocket. They know I can run the ball, however you need to present your catching capability. I can play offense 100 miles an hour after which line up on particular groups and on the identical time be a pacesetter.

Q: NFL groups put plenty of money and time into scouting gamers. How would their cash be well-spent on you?

A: Simply staying on the arduous work half. You’ll be able to at all times get higher every single day and you’ll exit and translate that to the NFL. It’s the little issues. Spend the time within the weight room is one other key.

Q: How did you discover out about your invite to the Senior Bowl?

A: Proper after one follow I obtained my invitation. As soon as follow wrapped up, my coach handed me the invite within the assembly room. I couldn’t imagine it. It was a dream come true and thrilling. I‘ve always wanted to go to the Senior Bowl. I’ve been watching the sport on TV for a very long time. I spoke with my household about it and so they have been all excited concerning the alternative.

Q: After you rating your first NFL landing, have you ever ready a particular dance celebration?

A: I don’t actually have a good time. I can’t dance. I simply principally give reward via my actions and honor God and provides him thanks. Then I’m simply going to run again to the sidelines.

Q: Is it necessary so that you can begin your rookie season?

A: I wouldn’t say it’s a necessity. I needed to wait my flip at Auburn and be affected person. However each time I obtained my likelihood – I needed to make it my finest. I didn’t take any likelihood without any consideration and let no one take my alternative away from me. Then as guys left, they relied extra on me and I got here via for my workforce.

Q: What did you be taught probably the most about your self taking part in school soccer?

A: Staying loyal. Loyalty to my workforce. I had completely different coaches and had relationships with the opposite coaches. However I stayed the curse. And I used to be loyal to my workforce and really feel like I gave my workforce the whole lot I obtained once I obtained on the market and it didn’t matter if it was this coach or that coach. I’m going to play arduous for whoever is teaching.

Q: How is the week’s expertise taking part in within the Senior Bowl?

A: It’s an important expertise. Going via school I’ve seen a few of my teammates invited and be capable of play right here. That they had success within the NFL and I really feel it’s a nice alternative for others to see what I can do that will not have seen me play a lot.

Q: How would you describe your working model?

A: I’m a north-south runner. I’ve good palms popping out of the backfield and don’t have any points staying within the pocket and blocking on passing downs if that’s what I’m wanted to do. I can outrun defenders within the open area and once I get to the second degree, I could cause issues.

Q: Who’re a few of your favourite NFL gamers?

A: I watch and research Saquon Barkley. I positively attempt to mannequin my sport after him a bit of bit.

Photograph by Andrew Wevers/UCF Athletics/Getty Pictures

RB R.J. Harvey – UCF
5’-9”, 208 kilos
4.41 40 time
Projected spherical: 3

Q: What do you provide an NFL workforce?

A: Versatility. I can run the ball, move the ball, catch passes popping out of the backfield and am a very good move protector. I can play particular groups and do something potential to assist my workforce win.

Q: You have been a dual-threat QB at Edgewater Excessive College and accepted a university scholarship for quarterback. Why did you turn to working again?

A: It was a tricky transition. I had performed quarterback all my life. Fortunately I had nice working backs in our room to show me issues. I put in plenty of work and it obtained me to the place I’m in the present day.

Q: You grew to become the primary UCF participant to run for over 1,000 yards in a season since 2018 with 1,416 yards and you then topped that working for 1,577 yards this yr. Do you see your self being the primary RB for a workforce on the subsequent degree?

A: I really feel prefer it positively does. I obtained plenty of expertise and are available sport time I’m a fierce competitor. I actually need to win – that’s the most important factor I need to win.

Q: As a senior, you have been named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. The place have been you once you heard you have been within the working for the award?

A: I used to be nominated two years in a row. This time I noticed it on Instagram. That’s how I discovered. The UCF soccer gamers posted i.

Q: How would you describe your blocking expertise?

A: I’m a prepared move protector. I positively want to enhance on it, however will work tougher than anybody to get this proper and be reliable when requested to stay in to dam.

Q: In school, you caught plenty of balls. Are your receiving expertise an asset to your sport?

A: You’ve to have the ability to slip out to the aspect when the move rush is dangerous and make your self out there to your quarterback. Meaning you need to be a very good receiver. I’m a very good receiver and I take note of what’s going on with the pocket. I’ve nice palms and wish to catch passes. A variety of instances it lets you bypass the massive males up entrance so all you need to take care of is the linebackers and secondary.

Q: You’ve an expression “Play every down like it’s your last.” What’s that message to teammates?

A: It has a number of meanings as a result of we aren’t going to play this sport perpetually, however primarily it means to play arduous and depart the whole lot you might have each sport on the sphere. Do your finest, and make your time depend.

Q: What are your strengths at RB?

A: I’m a decided runner. I’ve a purpose once I contact the ball and that’s to search out the proper gap alongside the road and squeeze via it. Then run such as you it’s the final time you’ll ever run the ball once more.

Q: How do you put together mentally and bodily for a giant sport?

A: You need to know that when your play known as to be prepared. That begins within the weight room and what you eat and the way a lot you get your physique able to play this sport.

Q: What are you trying ahead to most about taking part in at this degree?

A: I need to compete towards one of the best. The NFL will present me with precisely that.