Senior Bowl Spotlight: Corey Clement, University of Wisconsin

Height: 5’ 10 ¼”
Weight: 221 lbs
Hands: 9 ⅞”
Arm: 30 ⅞”
Wing: 72 ¾”
40 yard dash: 4.68  (official)

NFL Comparison: Carlos Hyde, Vick Ballard

Scouting Notes: Clement is surprisingly quick-footed and explosive for a full-sized running back. I was shocked when I found out that he came in a pound heavier than fellow RB De’Von Smith at this year’s Senior Bowl because his feet were so much lighter and he moved with so much more pop than the powerful Smith – a talented back in his own right. Clement can do everything you need a three-down back to do. He’s a one-cut-and-up guy with good patience and low pads, but is decisive and smooth when he takes it to the edges — reaching top speed in a hurry. Clement can shed tackles with ease, and he always keeps his feet moving as he’s brought down, falling forward more often than not. Seldom used in the passing game at Wisconsin (only 29 receptions over his career) Clement showed very good hands in receiving drills at the Senior Bowl as did most of the backs in attendance. No one at RosterWatch doubts he’ll have trouble in the receiving department department on the next level. Blocking didn’t seem to be a problem for Clement either, though he isn’t as experienced in that area as he’ll need to be to stay on the field in the NFL. This set of combined attributes left us struggling to decide if we would include Clement or Kareem Hunt on the 2017 All-Senior Bowl Roster; an honor that we eventually decided would go to Hunt. A history of fumbling does follow Clement, and that’s something he’ll have to remedy ASAP, as that’s one thing that will keep him on the bench no matter how talented he is.

Fantasy Outlook: Clement had hernia surgery in 2015, but he should check out health-wise. It’s the plethora of quality backs coming out in 2017 with better speed that will likely keep him from being a top RB pick in the draft. Even so, Clement has all the tools to produce on game days, should he land in the right situation. He’s worth a stab in dynasty if you need a RB, should you miss out one of the big names in the early rounds. In fact, if Clement does fall to a team with immediate RB needs in a good offense such as the Colts, we’re likely to see his dynasty stock rise to garner early-second round consideration in traditional rookie drafts.

From the Wisconsin Athletic Department

Career: Played in 43 games with 15 starts … part of winningest senior class in school history, posting a record of 41-13 (.759), including a 26-7 (.788) mark in Big Ten play … rushed for 3,092 yards to finish career ranked 12th on UW career rushing list … recorded 576 carries, averaging 5.37 yards per attempt to rank No. 8 all-time in rushing average … finished career ranked No. 9 all-time at UW in rushing touchdowns (36) and total touchdowns (38) … caught 29 passes for 279 yards and 2 TDs … as a freshman in 2013, ran for 547 yards as Badgers’ No. 3 back behind James White and Melvin Gordon … rushed for 949 yards and nine TDs as Gordon’s backup in 2014 … combined with Gordon to set single-season FBS record for rushing yards by teammates at 3,536 yards (breaking record of 3,053 set by Gordon and White in 2013) … slowed by injury as a junior, playing in just four games … recorded 15 100-yard rushing games, tying for the 11th most in school history … selected for Senior Bowl