Jacques Patrick recruit scouting report: Power running back

Jacques Patrick is an elite Class of 2015 running back.

Patrick, out of Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Fla., stands 6'2, weighs 232 pounds and he runs a reported 4.51-second 40-yard dash. As of April, he is rated as a consensus four-star prospect, according to 247sports, Rivals, Scout and ESPN. The most bullish is 247, ranking him as the third-best back in the class. Rivals and Scout also have him in the top 10 at the position. ESPN says he's the No. 15 athlete. The 247sports composite ratings, a compilation of data from the four major recruiting services, lists him as the 63rd-best player in America, fifth-best running back and 12th-best player from the state of Florida.

Patrick is receiving interest from almost every major program in the country. He has scholarship offers from Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas and USC, among many others.

Fans can follow Patrick on Twitter @jacques_patrick.

What makes Patrick so coveted by colleges? Plenty. I've seem Patrick play in person dozens of times, and have seen how his game has matured over the years.

Patrick is a giant running back at 232 pounds in high school, yet he doesn't appear overweight at all. Some have questioned his ability to stick at running back, but Patrick seems like he is done growing, which is good for his future at the position.

Patrick is a runner with a great stiff-arm, keeping defenders at bay. And he can run with excellent power and balance, driving his legs and keeping his feet through contact.

But power is not the only part of his game.

Patrick has very good top-end speed for a prospect of his size, and he flashes some good change-of-direction as well at times. He shows the ability to put his foot in the ground and explode upfield, and shows good vision in his highlights. And Patrick sets up his blocks well, especially on counters.

Like most tall runners, Patrick will need to work on running with better lean and more consistent bend to really get behind his pads. I don't think he'll ever have great ability to make defenders miss, and he doesn't seem like a huge home-run hitter.

Nonetheless, Patrick is a very good running back who is capable of carrying the load at the highest levels of the BCS, and could make an instant impact.