Matt Waldman’s RSP Boiler Room examines a chip block of Texas A&M running back Trayveon Williams, a 2019 NFL Draft prospect, and explains why the notion of effort is not just physical in nature. 

When we think of effort in athletics, we default to the physical. A player with a “high motor” is desirable. In the case of Trayveon Williams’ physical effort on this pass protection assignment in the video below, the running back displays high physical effort and low mental effort.

There’s a real opportunity for Williams to develop into a technically-sound, mentally-sharp, and consistent pass protector in 2018. Based on his 2017 film, he’s not there yet. Williams is late to get into position, had a misread red zone assignment late in the gave above, and doesn’t consistently use his hands and feet to strike and sustain his position on the opponent.

Williams has the footwork, acceleration, speed, and baseline wisdom as a between-the-tackles runner to contribute in an NFL backfield. However, he’s neither a rare athlete at the position for the NFL nor a complete player at this point of his college career.

If he wants to have a steady income as a professional football player, mastering the diagnosis, technique, and situational wisdom of pass protection must become his top priority or else, Williams will join a list of NFL-caliber runners who lack the entire game to make it in the league.

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