Jonathan Stewart SELECTED BY: Carolina Panthers Round 1(13)

SI Grade 4.15 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Full-time starter the past two years awarded All-Conference honors as a junior after totaling 280/1722/11 on the ground and 22/145/2 as a pass-catcher. Sophomore-year totals included 981 rushing yards with 10 scores when he struggled through the season with an ankle injury.

POSITIVES: Well-built ball-carrier with a terrific combination of strength, athleticism, and intelligence. Patient and displays good running vision and overall instincts. Waits for blocks to develop, finds the cut-back lanes, and shows surprisingly quick feet. Powerful, rarely brought down by the first defender, and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Works runs and uses an effective straight-arm to keep plays alive. Moves the pile and picks up the tough short yardage. Solid receiver out of the backfield.

NEGATIVES: Possesses more of a straight-line burst and not a ball-carrier who beats defenders around the corner. Underwent surgery on an injured toe in early March and will not be ready to play until mid-July at the earliest.

ANALYSIS: Stewart is a punishing runner with a complete game and he.s one of the most underrated prospects in this draft. His off season surgery could push him down almost a dozen slots in round one yet Stewart is a first-round talent who can quickly develop into a feature back at the next level.