It’s not every day that ESPN will sing the praises of a small school guy before he has proven himself on the NFL level, but they did exactly that earlier this month. According to this story, one place Kareem Hunt has set himself apart during mini-camp was in the passing game.

That’s the first thing I look at when judging how much playing time a rookie or freshman running back will see in the upcoming season. These guys have been reading blocks and running with the football since they were little kids. The learning curve is almost exclusively in the passing game, and by all accounts he is picking that aspect up quite nicely.

A lot of comments from the coaches and administrators are praises loaded with “well, we still have to see him in pads” type of sentiment. That’s one place I am not worried at all. Hunt showed the ability to run through tacklers on every level of the defense while setting the career rushing record for the Toledo Rockets. He will certainly be able to break tackles in the NFL.

Currently he is behind Spencer Ware and Chandrick West on the depth chart. After West led the team in 2015, Ware took over, leading the team with 921 yards on 4.3 yards per carry. He also caught 33 passes for 447 yards. The Chiefs had their worst rushing season since 2011, averaging only 4.3 yards and not quite reaching 1800 yards. All of this should add up to Hunt seeing action during the season.

Kareem Hunt By The Numbers

• Height: 5’10
• Weight: 216
• 40 Time: 4.62
• 225lbs Bench Reps: 18
• Vertical Jump: 36.5”
• Career Rushing Yards: 4945 yards
• Career YPC: 6.3
• Career Receptions: 73
• Career Receiving Yards: 555

Stats obtained from NFL.com and Sports-reference.com