SCOUTING THE COMMITS: Running back Bryant Koback
Before a season-ending leg injury Bryant Koback was poised to shatter rushing records for Holland (Ohio) Springfield this fall.
Cats Illustrated takes a closer look at the Cats' lone running back commitment from the 2017 class as part of our series of scouting reports in advance of National Signing Day.
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SENIOR YEAR: The highs were high and the low was very low. Holland (Ohio) Springfield lost to Westlake (Ohio) 48-41 in their first playoff game, in overtime, but Koback wasn't a part of that game. He didn't play at all after a leg injury in a late September regular season game against Southview (Ohio) in a 58-7 win. With Koback, Springfield was 5-0, scoring 45 points or more every single time out. Without Koback, Springfield did just fine -- 5-1 -- but they never scored more than 42 points in regulation during any of those six games.
In less than five full games of action Koback rushed 93 times for 993 yards and an amazing 18 touchdowns. He went over 100 yards in every full game he played in, totaling more than 400 all-purpose yards in a game and proving to be more than unstoppable. He was seemingly impossible to slow down.
Koback also had seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns in those four-plus games of action, and he returned one game's opening kickoff nearly the full length of the field for a touchdown.
STRENGTHS: It's tough to single out strengths in Koback's game because, frankly, he's such a well-rounded running back that has been known as the total package capable of just about everything a coach would want.
But the single-most defining characteristic of Koback's game is the quality that more defines college football in 2016 than any other: Speed. Koback first made a name for himself at the U.S. Army All-American Combine for underclassmen in San Antonio, Tex., where he turned in a great 40-time, just as did former Berea, Ky., back Damien Harris a couple of years before him.
Koback has routinely turned in sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash times, whether at combines or camping at Kentucky or Ohio State. It's not a fluke when he turns in eye-popping testing numbers. That's who he is. He has game breaking speed and will rarely be tracked down in the open field. He ran a 4.38-second forty at Kentucky's camp more than a year ago, before he was committed to Kentucky. But Koback's best time was a 4.30 - yes, 4.3-flat - at Ohio State that same summer. So it's not surprising that Koback is a track star, having competed not only in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, but also in the high jump and long jump.
Koback's speed is impressive but in real time it appears almost effortless. He has obviously been well-trained as a runner, or he's just a phenomenal natural, because he runs with great form and ease.
If Koback's speed is what causes heads to turn, what makes jaws drop is the fact that he's not built like a Trindon Holliday or most other all-purpose backs who are slight in stature. No, Koback is 5-foot-11 and, as of March of 2016, either 202 or 203 pounds. His speed is rare, but it's almost unheard of for a high school running back with that kind of size.
One of the things that is special about Koback beyond his size and speed is his instinctual knack for accelerating and even decelerating. Koback's cuts aren't violent so much as smooth and seamless. He runs with his eyes up and downfield so he weaves through blockers with ease. He can ever-so-slightly tap the brakes, even if it doesn't look like he made an effort to stop at all, and then switches directions with ease and explosiveness.
He has a very rare quality because of his speed, running form and balance: It is very difficult for defenders to anticipate his change of direction. In the open field that's devastating.
Koback has also proven himself to be a more than capable pass catcher. He can take screens to the house or explode past defensive backs. He will have plenty of pass catching opportunities at Kentucky.
Koback's speed, vision and acceleration make him a prime candidate to excel as a kick return specialist at Kentucky. If healthy, that's a role Koback could compete for fairly early in his time in Lexington.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: There is not a single part of Koback's game that can be singled out as a significant liability. He is good to great in every major evaluation category for a running back, or projects to be. He will need to prove he can block for his quarterback but most high school running backs haven't proven they can do that.
The big question about Koback right now is what his game readiness will be for Kentucky next year. If Boom Williams leaves, Kentucky may need Koback's speed in the backfield, even when he's only a true freshman. Even if he doesn't leave Koback will be expected to compete for some carries next season. His leg injury wasn't minor but he did tell Cats Illustrated this week, following his official visit to UK, that he's ahead of schedule in his recovery. Being at Kentucky a semester early will prove helpful.
One thing Koback will have to watch out for: He has easily outrun every defensive player that has ever took less than a perfect angle on him. Because of that, he can often attack the corner with ease in a straight-line. He'll outrun college linebackers and most defensive backs, but defenses are going to string him out and force him inside more often. He'll have to pick up more yards after contact. He's certainly capable of carrying a big load (see: roughly 20 carries per game in limited action due to blowouts in 2016), but we'll learn a lot more about how Koback pushes the pile, how he picks up yards after contact in the backfield, and how he runs in between the tackles once he gets to Kentucky.
NOTES: Koback rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a junior at Holland (Ohio) Springfield. He also had 31 touchdowns last year.
Koback also has Power Five offers from Boston College, Purdue, Syracuse, Northwestern and Indiana.
Kentucky was the first school to offer Koback. That offer went out in May of 2015.
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