Matt Waldman’s RSP Boiler Room reveals how NFL Draft prospect Ole Miss RB Scottie Phillips helps his blockers in a gap running scheme. 

When comparing run schemes, less diagnostic skill is necessary on gap plays like trap, counter, power, and toss. Running backs still need some amount of sophistication to run gap — especially in challenging situations.

Ole Miss running back Scottie Phillips encountered such a challenge against Alabama’s defense last year. The Crimson Tide routinely earned position behind the line of scrimmage before Rebels’ blockers could even set up.

Disruption of this magnitude can throw off the timing of pulling blocks, create smaller creases (if not seal them shut entirely), and force the running back to do more to set up linebackers and defensive linemen into the oncoming blocks.

Phillips, a rising senior, displays the sight, patience, and footwork to turn potential losses into positive gains. Here are three plays from Phillips’ performance against Alabama that reveal how he integrates these skills to generate solutions against difficult problems.

I’m looking forward to learning more about Phillips’ game because this exposure against Alabama revealed an intelligent, solution-oriented player with and without the ball in his hands. If he demonstrates the physical skills to match, we might be onto something when it comes to a professional career.

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