Media believes 'explosive' Tyrone Tracy Jr. could have early impact
Tyrone Tracy Jr. had one of the more interesting stories among prospects in this year's draft.
Tracy began his collegiate career at Iowa where he played wide receiver for four seasons before transferring to Purdue. He then switched to the running back position, where he enjoyed a strong 2023 campaign.
The 33rd Team's Marcus Mosher recently took a look at which Day 3 prospects could make an instant impact, where Tracy was one of the five players featured.
"Tracy started his career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, appearing in 38 games as a wide receiver," wrote Mosher. "But after modest production, he transferred to Purdue and started five games at receiver (2022). Ahead of the 2023 season, Tracy transitioned to running back, which likely saved his career. In his first year playing the position, Tracy led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.3) and scored eight rushing touchdowns."
"While Tracy isn't ready to be a full-time running back (146 career carries in college), he is an incredible athlete who is a threat to score on any play. He posted a 9.78 RAS score, which ranks 42nd all-time (out of 1,903 running backs) after posting a 40-inch vertical jump at 209 pounds. Only Singletary is ahead of him on the depth chart, so Tracy should find a role right away. He is the most explosive running back on the roster and could have a Tony Pollard-like impact on the Giants in Year 1."
View photos of the 2024 class reporting for rookie minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Tracy, at 5-foot-11 and 209 pounds, saw his first extensive action as a running back this past year when he rushed for 716 yards and eight touchdowns on 113 carries (6.3 avg.) while adding 19 receptions for 132 yards. He also returned 16 kickoffs for 408 yards (25.5. avg.) and a touchdown. This led to him being named second-team All-Big Ten (AP), third-team All-Big Ten - Return Specialist (Coaches), and Honorable Mention (Media), along with All-Big Ten Honorable Mention – Running Back (Coaches, Media).
The 24-year-old forced 46 missed tackles on just 113 carries, while finishing fourth in the country in yards after contact per rush. Additionally, his 23.1 percent explosive run rate was the best in this year's draft class and ranked in the 97th percentile among all prospects since 2018, according to Pro Football Focus.
His average of 6.3 yards per carry led the Big Ten and was the second-best single-season rushing average in school history. His 127.4 all-purpose yards in conference games also led the Big Ten.
Tracy ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, 6.81 3-cone drill and 4.06 20-yard shuttle at the NFL Combine in addition to registering a 40-inch vertical and a 10-feet, 4-inch broad jump. He earned a 9.78 RAS score, which ranked 42nd out of 1,903 running backs from 1987 to 2024.
The rookie running back has received praise from other media outlets, as well. ESPN's Field Yates ranked the top 10 non-round 1 rookies on both sides of the ball that could play a big role in 2024. Tracy landed on the offensive list.
"Tracy was one of the more unique prospects in the class; after four seasons as a wide receiver at Iowa, he transferred to Purdue for two seasons and became a running back," wrote Yates. "That versatility gives him a chance to be on the field and deployed early and often, especially amid a thin Giants backfield led by Devin Singletary. Tracy scored eight times last season and averaged 6.3 yards per carry."
View the best photos from the collegiate career of running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
See all the action from spring practices at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.