Damarius Yates

Physical Profile

Yates possesses a compact and muscular build, listed between 5-foot-10 and 190-195 pounds. This frame provides a low center of gravity and the strength to break tackles, while his background as a state-champion sprinter in the 200-meter and a sub-11.0 100-meter dash runner provides the explosive, long-speed element that makes him a home-run threat. His physical tools are an ideal blend of power and speed for a modern, every-down running back, with the frame to potentially add more mass and play north of 200 pounds without sacrificing his burst.

Play Style

Yates is a downhill, zone-scheme running back who plays with a sense of urgency. On film, he is a 'north and south' runner who likes to make one cut and power forward, consistently fighting for extra yardage. He has the speed to bounce runs to the perimeter and is highly effective on sweeps and counters. He runs with a low pad level, shows good contact balance, and utilizes a violent stiff arm. His acceleration is a key trait, allowing him to hit his top gear quickly and separate from defenders once he's in the open field.

Strengths

• Verified, game-breaking speed; as a multi-time sub-11.0 100-meter sprinter, he possesses outstanding separation speed and the burst to erase angles at the second and third levels of the defense.
• Exceptional vision and decisive, one-cut running style; shows a clear understanding of zone-blocking schemes, pressing the line of scrimmage before making a sharp cut and accelerating downhill with minimal wasted motion.
• Three-down versatility as a receiver; demonstrates soft hands and is a proven weapon in the passing game, having amassed over 1,000 receiving yards in his career, making him a valuable asset on screens and check-downs.
• Elite high school production; his career totals of over 5,000 total yards, including a senior season with 2,080 rushing yards and a state-record-tying 8-touchdown game, showcase his durability and consistent, high-level performance.

Areas to Improve

• Developing creative elusiveness; while he has shifty feet for side-stepping initial defenders, he relies more on his one-cut-and-go style and can improve his ability to string together multiple moves in space to maximize runs when the initial hole isn't clean.
• Pass protection technique; like most high school backs, will need to refine his technique and willingness to take on blitzing linebackers and defensive ends at the Power Four level to become a trusted every-down back.

College Projection

Yates projects as a multi-year contributor with 'bell cow' upside at the University of Mississippi. Given his advanced vision, verified speed, and pass-catching ability, he possesses the skill set to compete for rotational snaps early in his career. He is an excellent fit for a zone-based rushing attack that will get him in space, and he has the potential to develop into an All-SEC caliber starting running back by his second or third year.

NFL Outlook

Based on his consensus four-star rating, impressive productivity, and blend of size and elite speed, Yates has a clear NFL trajectory. His three-down potential makes him a valuable prospect for the next level. He currently projects as a Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) NFL Draft pick, with the upside to elevate his stock into Day 2 with continued development and a productive collegiate career at Ole Miss.

Best Fit

Yates is best suited for a zone-based or one-cut offensive scheme that allows him to press the line of scrimmage, make a decisive read, and use his elite acceleration to hit the open field. An offense that actively incorporates the running back into the passing game via screens and check-downs will fully leverage his versatile skill set. His high school production at Kemper County and commitment to Ole Miss suggest he is well-prepared for an up-tempo, spread system.