After a hot start to his college career and a disappointing finish, LSU senior running back Justin Vincent is trying to work his way onto an NFL roster. As a college freshman, he rushed for 201 yards against Georgia in the 2003 Southeastern Conference Championship game and followed with a 117 yard rushing performance against Oklahoma in the National Championship game. Vincent was slowed down after suffering a knee injury on kickoff coverage against Miami in the 2005 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He averaged 4.95 yards per carry and 9.07 yards per catch over his four-year career. At Barbe High School in Lake Charles, Vincent was named a Parade All-American after rushing for 2,050 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior. “He was Mr. Barbe,” said Jimmy Shaver, Barbe head football coach. “He was just a terrific guy. His junior and senior years, we gave the ball to him on almost every play, and when we didn’t hand it to him, we threw it to him. He even played some defensive back, and he made some key interceptions.” NFL Draft analyst Mike Detillier said Vincent is more likely to be picked up as a free agent rather than being a 7th round pick. “If you can play special teams in this league, you can play a long time; a great example is the Saints’ Fred McAfee,” Detillier said. “Everybody’s got a role to play in the NFL, and it depends on how bad you want to play and will you adjust from being a star player?” But, undrafted free agent running backs have made ripples in their rookie season before. In 2006, Denver’s Mike Bell ran for 677 yards on 157 carries and eight touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 158 yards. The 6-foot-221-pound Bell has a similar body to the 5-foot-10-inch, 223-pound Vincent. In addition, Bell’s 4.63-second 40-yard dash time was only .02 seconds faster than Vincent’s time. Vincent said he doesn’t know which NFL team might sign him, but he said it is not important. “The Bears were my favorite team growing up, but it doesn’t matter – anywhere is fine,” he said. “I think teams will look at my talents on special teams along with my character. I just have to work my way into a role.”
—–Contact Jay Potter at jpotter@lsureveille.com