Gavin Sawchuk, RB, Oklahoma
Size:
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 200 lbs
Accomplishments:
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (2023)
“Gavin Sawchuk is a smooth, high-IQ, and patient runner who can be effective in a zone-based run scheme in the NFL.”
Strengths:
Vision/patience
Contact balance
Quick accelerator/burst
Concerns:
Size
Ability to run with power
Role/scheme-specific
Film Analysis:
Gavin Sawchuk is a senior running back for the Sooners. He has a nice blend of fluid movements combined with contact balance and vision that makes him a productive back in this Sooner offense with very creative run-blocking principles. Sawchuk is productive as a player in both the run game and the passing game which will allow him to be considered a three-down running back in certain schemes.
As a runner, Sawchuk appears to be best in inside/outside zone because that allows him to use his best traits to his advantage. Taking either an inside or outside zone track, Sawchuk can scan the line of scrimmage looking for creases. Sawchuk has a good understanding of zone-blocking principles and is very patient in allowing blocks to develop and naturally create creases in the defense for him to take advantage of. Sawchuk is good at pressing a hole, which manipulates a defender by having them commit, and then he will make a quick jump-cut to another hole. Sawchuk can quickly burst through the hole and get to the second level of the defense. On the second level of the defense, Sawchuk has an element of elusiveness in which he can make a defender miss one-on-one situations or he can run through arm tackles. When dealing with collisions, Sawchuk has a natural ability to absorb hits and bounce off tackles and then keep moving forward. Into the open field, Sawchuk shows to have a good burst and can quickly pick up yardage in an attempt to outrun defenders. Sawchuk is a running back who has a natural feel and understanding for the game and although his size or athletic profile may not grade out as elite, it is evident that he can be a productive player.
Sawchuk's impact in the passing game will be his ability to run traditional running back routes and be a reliable pass-catcher for the quarterback. In situations where he is matched up with linebackers, Sawchuk can get open out of the backfield and catch the ball. Sawhcuck has the opportunity to be a difficult matchup for linebackers running arrow routes or wheel routes and making the coordinator have to account/adjust for his ability to get open versus linebackers.
Sawchuk's concerns as a player are in multiple areas. First, it appears that he can be too patient behind the line of scrimmage and instead of picking up the yards that are there, he waits behind the line of scrimmage and allows the defense to continue to penetrate until it's a tackle for loss. The other concern within Sawchuk's game is whether he will ultimately be a scheme-specific player. Because of his size, Sawchuk won’t be considered a power back, which could deter teams who run gap/power schemes away from viewing Sawchuk as a three-down runner and as only a third-down back.
Overall, Sawchuk has the opportunity to be productive and impactful immediately for an NFL team if placed in the right scheme.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Oklahoma State (2023), West Virginia (2023), Kansas (2023), TCU (2023)
