Scouting Report: Matt Falcon

Southfield (MI) Southfield running back Matt Falcon

Name: Matt Falcon
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Southfield (MI) Southfield
Position: Running back
Class: 2016

Notes: Holds offers from Akron, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Carolina State, Nortern Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio State, Tennessee, Toledo, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, and West Virginia . . . Had 2015 teammates that went to Buffalo (DE Charles Harris), Minnesota (CB Ray Buford, S Dior Johnson), and Western Michigan (S Davonte Ginwright) . . . Had 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns in six games as a junior in 2014 . . . ESPN 3-star RB . . . Rivals 4-star, #13 RB . . . Scout 4-star, #11 RB, #147 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star, #16 RB

Strengths: College-ready frame . . . Gets low to run behind pads . . . Shows good long speed for a big back . . . Shows long stride length . . . Very quick feet in the hole . . . Can make people miss without losing forward momentum . . . Good acceleration . . . Impressive athleticism for a guy listed between 205-215 lbs.

Weaknesses: Tore his ACL in 2013 . . . Seems to be very protective of his legs . . . Goes down a little too easily when defenders tackle him below the waist . . . Looks a little tentative when making sharp cuts . . . Not a natural pass catcher . . . Can be impatient waiting for blocks to develop

Projection: Running back. I have concerns about Falcon because of his injury problems, which have caused him to miss much of both his sophomore and junior seasons. I also think that has affected his running, as it looks like he is not as strong in the lower body as he should be. If he can remain injury-free for a long period of time, perhaps he can strengthen his lower body more and regain some of the mobility that seems to be missing because of that clunky brace on his left leg. Regardless, I think he has a lot of potential and could be a very good running back if he can remain healthy. His size and speed combination could make him a factor in any conference in the country, in my opinion.

Reminds me of: Brandon Minor. Minor had more of a duck-footed gait, but he would also get low to run behind his pads and had surprising quickness in the hole. Minor was fast enough to hit the hole and could make people pay if they lost leverage, but he was not a threat to go 80 yards on any given play.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: The 247 Sports Crystal Ball reads 53% in favor of Michigan and 26% for Tennessee right now. Ohio State is running third, but they have two running back commitments in the 2016 class and are unlikely to add to that number. Offers from UCLA and West Virginia just came in the last 24 hours, and there will surely be more. In fact, I would not be surprised at all if the national powerhouses (Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Oregon, USC) throw their hats in the ring. If everything remains the same, I like Michigan's chances. All bets are off if national championship contenders - who actually have room - come calling.

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