Film Don't Lie | Chris Tyree
When Chris Tyree won the Fastest Man at The Opening Finals last year, I never envisioned him committing to Notre Dame. That kind of athlete typically has either not been a fit or had little interest in the Irish.
Then Notre Dame went to the College Football Playoff, hired a new running backs coach, and got Tyree on campus multiple times in 2019. Now the dream of landing a back of his caliber is a reality.
I have Tyree as the highest rated commit in the class and the third commitment for the Irish that is in the ISD Fab 50. He’s a special talent with the potential to be a difference maker in Chip Long’s offense.
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 175
Projected Position: Running back
ISD Grade: 96 (4-star, 30th in the ISD Fab 50)
National Average Grade: 95.5 (4-star)
What he does best:
Tyree has elite speed. He’s a state champion sprinter in track and at The Opening Finals last year he ran a 4.38 40. If he gets a crease, he gone. It’s more than just the straight line speed with him, though. It’s the ability to accelerate to full speed so quickly that literally separates him on the field. The corner and the safety don’t have the right leverage after one small cut and he blows right by them. (Bonus points for cutting back to finish with six at the end too)
He has great feet. It’s what allows him to be an effective inside runner at his size. He can make tacklers miss with his lateral agility like on this run where it should be a short gain. Tyree turns it into a touchdown.
Slippery is a good way to describe his style as a runner. He’s strong enough to break arm tackles and can maximize yardage by making a linebacker or defensive back pay when they over pursue.
Tyree has legitimate receiving skills and could play the slot if asked. He’s a dangerous player in space and his ball skills are strong. How many other running backs can make a Willie Mays style over the shoulder grab like this one?
He is a willing blocker in blitz pickup, which isn’t a box that many backs like him can check. Tyree shows he’s not afraid to play physical as a tackler while playing cornerback and I think that translates over to him on the other side of the ball as well.
What he needs to improve:
He’s never going to be confused with Jerome Bettis, but he’ll have to get bigger and stronger in order to handle as many touches as possible. He can be a very effective inside runner, but in order to hold up in that capacity, he’ll have to add some more armor.
His vision is good, but like a lot of guys with his speed he will bounce some runs that he might not have to. It’s not a huge issue with him, but something he can get better at.
Tyree has the athletic traits to be a great route runner, but he’s not one yet. He can be dynamic in this area if he works at it.
What’s his ceiling?
I mentioned in 6 Thoughts today that the two players that I felt he reminded me of were Florida State’s Warrick Dunn and West Virginia’s Tavon Austin.
I think he has the athleticism of Dunn and similar grit as a runner for his size. He has the same kind of speed as an Austin, although Austin was more receiver than runner (though he did have over 600 yards rushing in his final year in college).
The impact those two had on their teams is what I think Tyree can eventually provide at Notre Dame if he reaches his potential. That’s how talented he is.
His versatility as a runner/receiver and special speed mean he should be able to make an immediate impact at Notre Dame. As he physically develops and his role grows in the offense, I could see him putting up 1,500+ yards from scrimmage in a season.
This is the type of skill talent the Irish have needed on offense and it’s going to be exciting to see what he will do during his time in blue and gold.
BREAKING | 2020 Four-Star RB Chris Tyree Commits To Notre Dame
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