Ryan Estrada

Physical Profile

Stands between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 and weighs around 195 pounds. Possesses a compact and powerful build ideal for the running back position. While no verified speed markers are available, his film shows good initial burst and acceleration through the hole. His frame suggests he can add more mass without sacrificing his quick-footedness, which will be necessary for a high-volume role at the Power Four level.

Play Style

A workhorse running back who is a big-play threat on every touch. Estrada combines speed, vision, and balance to turn small openings into significant gains. He is adept at making defenders miss in open space and runs with a low pad level that allows him to absorb contact. He is a no-nonsense runner who doesn't dance excessively in the backfield and gets north-south quickly.

Strengths

• **Elite High School Production:** Became the all-time leading rusher in the city of El Paso, with career totals of 7,633 rushing yards and 95 touchdowns. His junior year was particularly dominant, rushing for 2,422 yards and 32 TDs on 13.53 yards per carry.
• **Vision and Decisiveness:** Runs with purpose and keeps his pads square, showing a knack for finding the hole and hitting it without hesitation. He reads his blocks well and has the quickness to make decisive cuts.
• **Contact Balance and Toughness:** Strong enough to break through arm tackles and maintains his balance through contact. He consistently shows the ability to finish runs with power and fall forward for extra yardage.

Areas to Improve

• **Pass-Catching Volume:** While he showed encouraging pass-catching ability as a freshman with 23 receptions, his involvement in the passing game has been limited since. To become a true every-down back at the next level, he will need to demonstrate more consistency and volume as a receiver out of the backfield.
• **Top-End Speed:** While he possesses a good initial burst, there are questions about his elite, breakaway speed against higher levels of competition. Continued development in speed and conditioning will be crucial for turning long runs into touchdowns in college.

College Projection

Projects as a valuable contributor to a Power Four running back room early in his career. His production and skillset suggest he has the potential to develop into a multi-year starter and a high-volume, every-down back. He committed to and signed with Minnesota.

NFL Outlook

As a four-star prospect with a composite score of 0.9007 and a history of elite production, Estrada has the potential to be a future NFL Draft selection. His development as a pass-catcher and continued improvement in overall athleticism will ultimately determine his draft stock. If he can translate his high school success to the college level, he has the upside to be a mid-to-late round pick with the potential to carve out a meaningful professional career.

Best Fit

A program that utilizes a zone-blocking scheme or a system that allows the running back to make one cut and get downhill would be an ideal fit for Estrada's talents. His vision and decisiveness would be maximized in such a system. He has already committed to Minnesota, a program known for its strong running game, which aligns well with his skill set.