"...Without a doubt, Lance and Derrick Henry are two completely different styles of running backs. Saban has proven that he can not only coach a power runner like Henry, a battering ram of sorts, but also develop someone like Lance, a quick and intelligent runner who uses his mind to break down defenses."
"Oh, it's rare to hear you praise a running back like this."
"Trust me, he deserves it. In him, I see shades of McCoy, and a bit of Peterson. I think this kid is a gem. Though he's already shining, he's still waiting to be fully polished. There's still room for growth…"
Blah blah blah.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh picked up the remote and muted the TV. Holding the phone to his ear, he asked, "Did you hear that commentary? What do you think? Do you agree?"
The show was Inside the NFL, a professional football program known for its in-depth content. It not only covered weekly NFL games, reports, injuries, and team rumors, but also had a dedicated segment for NCAA games, ensuring that the league stayed informed about the newest draft prospects.
This meant that from the moment players stepped onto the NCAA stage, they were already in the spotlight.
And this week's hot topic? Lance.
The Chinese-American running back, who had burst onto the scene, quickly became the center of attention, dominating discussions week after week.
But to Harbaugh, a lot of the media hype seemed inflated. He wasn't entirely convinced that the league wasn't secretly pushing this narrative to tap into the Chinese market. Harbaugh, however, trusted his scouts' reports and his own judgment more than anything else.
"Yes and no," came the voice from the other end of the phone, belonging to the Ravens' scout, Brandt.
Harbaugh's curiosity was piqued. "Oh? You're starting to sound like the media with that kind of vague answer."
Brandt chuckled. "Of course, Lance's speed, explosiveness, and agility are undeniable talents. Compared to McCoy, I'd say he's closer to a Peterson-type mold."
"But in my opinion, what makes Lance truly exceptional is his brain — his learning ability, and his analytical skills."
Harbaugh raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Care to elaborate?"
While Brandt was breaking things down for Harbaugh, across the country, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was also reviewing footage of Lance.
If Rivera had heard Brandt's assessment, it might have been a eureka moment for him.
For one, the rapid development and progress Lance had made in just six months were beyond belief. It was hard to imagine that someone who had never touched a football before was now playing at such a high level — a testament to Lance's learning ability.
Secondly, while Rivera could clearly see Lance's physical gifts — speed, explosiveness, agility — he also knew that there was more to Lance's game than just athleticism.
Especially in his recent game against Louisiana State University, Rivera believed that mere physical talent alone wouldn't have been enough to solve the problems Lance faced on the field. There was more to analyze, more layers to his performance.
Rivera was both excited and eager, itching to fly to Alabama himself to personally scout Lance. The more he thought about it, the more he believed that Lance could be the perfect running back for the Panthers, an ideal complement to Cam Newton.
But logic prevailed, reining him back in — after all, the NFL regular season was still in full swing, and they had games to prepare for.
To be honest, Rivera should have been reviewing game footage and working on strategies, not obsessing over a college prospect. But he just couldn't help himself.
Rivera thought to himself that his general manager, Dave Gettleman, couldn't possibly turn down a player like Lance, especially one who was Chinese-American and had the potential to open up the entire Asian market.
Just the thought of it got Rivera's blood pumping again. Some things, he realized, needed to be seen with his own eyes. Sitting up straight, he pressed the intercom.
"I need the footage from this week's Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers game. Immediately. Now."
The scene shifts back to Brandt and Harbaugh's conversation.
Harbaugh was intrigued. "Dissect? That's an interesting choice of words."
Brandt nodded. "Exactly. Like a surgical scalpel, precise and sharp. Right now, everyone is talking about Lance's physical abilities — his speed, explosiveness, agility, etc. — and they all know he's a different style of runner than Henry. But they're missing the key point."
Harbaugh caught on. "His brain?"
Brandt confirmed, "Exactly, his brain."
This was the puzzle piece that Rivera had yet to fully grasp, though he might get closer to the answer after reviewing the game footage.
"When we talk about quarterbacks, nobody forgets to mention their brain — their ability to organize, read defenses, and make decisions. But when we discuss running backs, we often overlook that aspect."
"And Lance is a running back who knows how to use his brain."
"Though he's still raw and lacks experience, and his style is still evolving, before every snap, he reads the defense and engages in a mental chess match, just like a quarterback. That's what makes him dangerous."
This, Brandt explained, was Lance's analytical ability.
Harbaugh was impressed. "Are you suggesting... Sanders?"
When most people think of running backs, the first thing that comes to mind is physicality — power, brute strength, collisions — which is why running backs often get labeled as "muscle-bound" or even "mindless."
But that's far from the truth.
Many running backs know how to read defenses, adapt, and use their intellect on the field. Barry Sanders, for instance, was one of the best.
The legendary Detroit Lions running back, who combined brains, physicality, and speed, played for only ten years but was widely regarded as the greatest running back in NFL history. He shattered preconceived notions about what a running back could be.
In modern football, a running back who relies solely on physicality won't last long —
Physical talent sets the floor, but intelligence sets the ceiling.
Somewhere, Fournette sneezed: "Is someone bad-mouthing me?"
As Harbaugh processed Brandt's description, the image of Barry Sanders immediately came to mind. Sanders was a god among men.
But before Harbaugh could get too carried away, Brandt brought him back to reality. "Not quite. Lance's physical toughness still needs work. He's nowhere near the level of Sanders, not even freshman-year Sanders."
"But," Brandt added, "let's not forget — Lance has only been playing football for six months…"
There was no need to say more. Harbaugh got it.
Lance was already impressive now, but his potential for growth was what really made him exciting. Perhaps one day, he could indeed become a player as legendary as Sanders.
Harbaugh exhaled deeply. "Well, this could be a problem."
Lance was too talented, too coveted — and that could be an issue.
Brandt immediately picked up on Harbaugh's concern. "I used to think running backs weren't in high demand. But now, it seems every team in the league is looking for one. Still, there aren't many teams willing to use a top-three-round pick on a running back."
"Coach, do you know who I saw at the LSU game?"
For once, Brandt decided to tease a bit.
Harbaugh paused. "Jacksonville?"
Brandt burst out laughing. "Cleveland."
Harbaugh: "...Damn!"
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Powerstones?
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