NFL DraftScouting Reports

NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Dorian Cowart, RB, South Dakota School of Mines

  • Name: Dorian Cowart Jr.
  • Position: RB
  • School: South Dakota School of Mines
  • Height: 5’8”
  • Weight: 190 lbs.
  • Class: Senior
  • Games Watched: 2015 Highlights, 2016 Highlights, Career Highlights

Background: A Fort Lauderdale, FL native. Began his career at Jacksonville University (NCAA – FCS) in 2014. Transferred to Feather River College (JUCO) in 2015 where he recorded 101 carries for 458 rushing yards & 1 rushing touchdown, 13 receptions for 86 receiving yards, and 16 kick returns for 373 yards while earning NorCal League Honorable Mention honors. As a junior in 2016, he transferred to South Dakota School of Mines (NCAA – DII) where he recorded 131 carries for 831 rushing yards & 7 rushing touchdowns, 19 receptions for 249 receiving yards & 1 receiving touchdown, and 4 kick returns for 98 yards. As a senior in 2017, he recorded 117 carries for 627 rushing yards & 5 rushing touchdowns, 38 receptions for 362 receiving yards & 1 receiving touchdown, 7 kick returns for 128 yards, and 3 punt returns for 15 yards while earning All Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Honorable Mention honors.

Strengths: Cowart Jr. is very athletic & versatile for a player of his size. He has decent agility to change directions when needed. He plays with okay speed in both the running & passing game. He uses decent vision when running between the tackles. He can make the first defender miss on outside runs, and in the open field. He can be very elusive in the open field. He does not go down after first contact. He can take a hit & generate positive yards on run & pass plays. He runs through arm tackles from LB’s & DB’s. He shows some ability to run multiple routes from the backfield. He can create separation from LB’s playing man coverage. He has decent catching ability. He uses decent skills to cut block & engage defenders at the point of attack in pass protection. He has some ability to return punts & kicks on special teams.

Weaknesses: Cowart Jr. is undersize despite having a compact type of frame. He can be impatient at times by outrunning blockers, and/or changing direction in the open field. He does not always find the cutback lanes on inside runs. He does not have the play strength to break tackles from DL. He is not the most polished route runner in the passing game. His mental process to determine man or zone coverage in passing situations is a question. He does not have breakaway speed at the second & third levels that you would expect from a runner of his stature. His ability to handle a larger load of carries is a question. He plays bigger than his size from time to time.

Summary: Cowart Jr. is a complementary & versatile RB that can function well in multiple sub packages to generate yards in both the running & passing game. At Feather River College & South Dakota School of Mines, he was used out of the backfield in pistol & spread formations as an offensive weapon. While versatile & elusive, he can be impatient when following his blockers, or changing directions when he has the ball in his hands. At the next level, he must show that he can be more patient when letting a play develop, and sharpen his route running skills out of the backfield, along with being able to handle a bigger load of carries throughout a full season. As combines & pro days draw closer, I see Cowart going undrafted, and being brought onto a team as a return man, and as a depth player for their spread scheme.

Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent

This report was completed by NFL Draft Diamonds Lead Scout Brandon Davis! Follow him on Twitter!!

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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