Buffs Film Room: Jarek Broussard is ready for takeoff

Jarek Broussard’s 2019 season was over before it even began due to a second torn ACL. Initially, it seemed that his 2020 season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic before the Pac-12 installed an abbreviated season. While he and the Buffs would only compete in five regular-season games and the Alamo Bowl, it was enough for Broussard to command the nation’s attention.

Broussard ended the season with 895 yards on 156 touches to average 149.2 yards per game, third amongst all rushers to play three or more games in 2020. Opposing defenses had their hands full dealing with the Buff’s bell-cow back. Let’s take a look back on Broussard’s spectacular 2020 season and project what we will see from him in 2021 and beyond.

The first thing that has to be mentioned when breaking down Broussard’s game is his size. He is small for a running back at 5-foot-9, 185 pounds but like former Buff and Colorado native Phillip Lindsay, Broussard is able to make up for his lack of size with his instincts and playmaking ability.

Check out Broussard’s vision here. The play is inside zone but Broussard does well to not rush the play and barrel into the center, instead he is able to bounce the run to the left tackle and find a hole for a first down.

Another nice example of Broussard’s vision. The Buffs are running duo here, the difference between duo and inside zone is that the offensive line does not work up to the second level. The running back’s job on this play is to read the linebackers and make a cut based on their leverage. Broussard presses the hole once he receives the ball, reads the second level and bounces the ball outside for another first down.

Another inside zone, Broussard has the ability to win one-on-one matchups in the hole as he sets up the linebacker for a nasty spin move and gains extra yardage.

While he is small, Broussard plays big and has a natural leverage advantage against bigger defenders. Again, Broussard is able to win one-on-one in the hole but this time he dips his shoulder and delivers the boom allowing him to get to the sideline and rip off a chunk of yardage.

Broussard’s best game of 2020 came when the Buffs traveled to Tucson to play Arizona. The Wildcats had one of the worst run defenses in college football in 2020 allowing an average of 270.6 yards per game, third-worst in FBS. Broussard took advantage of that fact and went off for 301 yards on 25 carries.

Broussard’s first big run of the game went for 74 yards on this duo. Great job by Broussard to hit the backside again on this gain where he shows vision, instincts and contact balance.

Later on, Broussard would rip off another 20+ yard gain on this TE lead. Broussard’s ability to shake off defenders and run through contact is extremely impressive for his size.

Colorado comes out in a 21 personnel set and run a pin-pull sweep off the left tackle. Broussard makes a nice cut off the pulling right tackle and is off to the races again. Unfortunately, Broussard is caught from behind for a second time on a big run.

On his final big run of the game, the Buffs are running outside zone to the field side but Broussard is able to find the cut-back towards the boundary. Broussard slices through the Arizona defense and puts the Buffs in scoring range to ice the game with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter.

It doesn’t take a keen eye to recognize Broussard’s lack of speed on these big runs. Good news for the Buffs and their fans, we have yet to see the best of Broussard according to head coach Karl Dorrell.

When Dorrell was asked if we are seeing Broussard at full strength after his 301-yard performance against Arizona, Dorrell said, “I’m telling you, you haven’t. He’s probably 90-95 percent.”

Broussard has only spoken to the media once this summer as the Buffs gear up for their 2021 campaign. Broussard said, “Looking at film from last year, I noticed the brace kind of restricted me.” He continued, “I wanted to go without the brace to see how it’s different… honestly I feel a lot better, feel a lot faster.”

A faster Jarek Broussard means a lot of sleepless nights for defensive coordinators in the Pac-12.

Broussard is already being mentioned by draftniks not only as one of the best backs in the Pac-12 but in the country. If Broussard were to declare for the NFL Draft after the 2021 season, there are two areas that I think he could benefit from improvement; pass protection and the receiving game.

Despite his size, Broussard is willing to give up his body in pass protection. It’s one of the main reasons smaller backs usually don’t get much work in the NFL, but if Broussard is able to deal out these devastating cuts and improve overall in pass protection, expect his stock to improve.

It’s not exactly Broussard’s fault that he wasn’t utilized much in the passing game. As seen in the play above, when he is thrown the ball in space he is able to rack up yardage with ease. It would be ideal not only for Broussard’s stock but for the Colorado offense to give Broussard more opportunities in the receiving game.

The Buffs’ offense is going to heavily rely on Broussard in 2021 with sophomore Brendon Lewis expected to lead the team at quarterback. We already saw what Broussard was capable of in 2020 and with a healthy off-season’s worth of work and being able to shed the knee brace, the sky is the limit. Broussard has all the talent and potential to be mentioned among the many great backs that have produced at a high level for Colorado.