Indianapolis Running Back Gerrid Doaks Commits To The Cincinnati Bearcats

The Cincinnati Bearcats have received a commitment from Lawrence Central running back Gerrid Doaks from Indianapolis, Indiana. Tim Adams at 247 Sports is the first to break the news.

"After camping at Cincinnati about ten days ago, Doaks amped up his recruitment a couple days later when he and his mother returned to the Clifton Heights campus for a complete tour. That tour went a long way in landing his commitment."

Doaks is a running back now, having played linebacker his sophomore year. He rushed for 1,242 yards and 15 touchdowns last season and even though UC’s been loading up the back field in the past two classes (Joshuwa Holloman, Taylor Boose, Jeremy Larkin), plus added Jordan Merrell for the 2017 class, it might be difficult to keep him out of the rotation. This especially if Eddie Gran goes to the similar offense he worked with at Florida State. Doaks chose the Bearcats over offers from Indiana, Western Kentucky, and basically half of the MAC.

OVERVIEW

• Position: Running Back
• Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
• High School: Lawrence Central
• Height, Weight: 6’0″, 190 lbs
• Offers: Indiana, Western Kentucky, Toledo, Ohio, Bowling Green, Western Michigan
• Composite Rating: *** – 84
• 247 Sports Rating: *** – 85
• ESPN Rating: –
• Rivals Rating: *** – 5.5
• Scout Rating: ***

ANALYSIS

Doaks is a one-crease-and-go running back, in that he relies on his blockers up front to create the lanes for him that he attacks with authority. He displays above average acceleration, getting to his top speed quickly such that he overwhelms swarming defenders before they have a chance to react. When Doaks does inevitably encounter contact he’s not an easy ball carrier to bring down. He’s not one to juke a defender out of his shoes to avoid a tackle but has the body to shed them and keep right on boot-scootin’ up field. This isn’t a running back that can create something out of nothing but has all of the abilities (speed, size, tackle-shedding) to chew up chunks of yards on the ground.

OUTLOOK

He’ll probably take a redshirt during his first year at Cincinnati. Mike Boone will be back in 2016 and Joshuwa Holloman and Taylor Boose will have had a year in the system. So if Doaks wants to see the field as a true freshman he’ll really have to impress the coaches in camp or move to the defensive side of the football (maybe linebacker or safety). Otherwise, he’ll sit out that year and focus on understanding the mental nuances of the game while tacking on weight in the strength and conditioning program.