LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s performance vs. Alabama could vault him up draft boards

Among the biggest winners from the epic LSU-Alabama matchup was Tigers running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

The 5-foot-8, 208-pound junior carried the ball 20 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns against Alabama’s pro-ready defense. He also had a career high in receptions (nine) and reception yards (77). To put his receiving numbers in perspective, Edwards-Helaire has more receptions the past two games (16) than he combined for in both his freshman and sophomore seasons (14).

Overall, he’s carried the ball 135 times for 786 yards and 11 TDs while catching 28 passes for 202 yards and 1 TD this season.

And it’s finally enough that other draft analysts are starting to take notice. Many analysts now peg him as a Day 2 to fourth-round type of player.

“Though he was outrushed by Alabama’s Najee Harris, Edwards-Helaire made more impactful plays during critical times of the game,” writes NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network. “His ability to break tackles, carry defenders or move the pile was a deciding factor in the outcome on Saturday. He’s the little man that could and while I don’t expect Edwards-Helaire to be a top-90 selection in the draft, I do believe he will be an invaluable rotational ball carrier/spot starter at the next level.”

Likewise, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler touted Edwards-Helaire’s performance, comparing him to a “smaller version of Mark Ingram – compact, quick and versatile.”

“Discussing his next level projection with scouts, the main concern with Harris is his spotty vision, taking too long to find and clear the hole,” Brugler writes. “But that wasn’t the case on Saturday night — he spent less time thinking and more time attacking. And with his sheer size and contact balance, Harris ran through tackle attempts with ease.”