Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Jaydon Blue, RB
School: Texas | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6’0” / 200 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th-UDFA Round
Player Comparison: Nyheim Hines
College Statistics
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Y/A | TD | Y/G | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Y/G | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD | Awards |
| 2022* | Texas | Big 12 | FR | RB | 9 | 15 | 33 | 2.2 | 0 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 15 | 33 | 2.2 | 0 | ||
| 2023* | Texas | Big 12 | SO | RB | 14 | 65 | 398 | 6.1 | 3 | 28.4 | 14 | 135 | 9.6 | 1 | 9.6 | 79 | 533 | 6.7 | 4 | |
| 2024* | Texas | SEC | SR | RB | 15 | 134 | 730 | 5.4 | 8 | 48.7 | 42 | 368 | 8.8 | 6 | 24.5 | 176 | 1098 | 6.2 | 14 | |
| Career | 38 | 214 | 1161 | 5.4 | 11 | 30.6 | 56 | 503 | 9.0 | 7 | 13.2 | 270 | 1664 | 6.2 | 18 | |||||
Player Overview
After sitting behind Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Jonathon Brooks, 2024 was Jaydon Blue’s year to be the lead back for the Texas Longhorns. The four-star recruit from Houston with a track background could’ve transferred, but he remained patient. He appeared to have his breakout game against ULM, but two fumbles against Mississippi State resulted in his teammate Quintrevion Wisner playing a larger role out of the backfield. Despite the reduction in touches, Blue still made an impact for the Longhorns especially in the passing game. Blue flashed again in the College Football Playoff with productive game rushing against Clemson and receiving against Ohio State.
Strengths
- Not the biggest RB, but well-built
- A patient runner who will wait for blocks to develop
- Impeccable footwork to quickly get to holes and evade tackles
- Build-up speed allows him to run away from the defense
- Tracks the ball downfield with hands like a receiver
Weaknesses
- Not the most powerful running back
- Burst and acceleration doesn’t match long speed
- Ball security is a concern: four fumbles this season
- Skipped East-West Shrine Game with no explanation
Let’s See His Work
College Football’s Fastest Five of Week 13
2. Texas RB Jaydon Blue (@Jaydonblue23) 22.3 mph #ReelSpeed
https://t.co/UFKB2eWAzC pic.twitter.com/0h09KheLPR
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) November 30, 2023
Jaydon Blue had 37 MTF during the 2024 season. pic.twitter.com/VBPisr5GUP
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) February 27, 2025
I’m told no Jaydon Blue this week at the East West Shrine Bowl practices/game.
Last minute bail for the Texas running back.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 25, 2025
How He Fits on the Commanders
The Commanders need to find more juice for their backfield. Austin Ekeler was able to provide this last season, but he missed several games with due to two concussions, not to mention he is almost 30 years old. A player like Jaydon Blue would give the Commanders a running back who can run between the tackles with vision and the ability to break long runs once he gets to daylight. The biggest thing in his game he has to clean up are fumbles. He’ll struggle to find a substantial role for a team until that happens. However, if he can show those issues are behind him, Blue can be a potent part of a committee at running back.