Jarel Elder | West Chester, RB – 2018 NFL Draft

The team’s leading rusher for the Golden Rams a year ago … also saw time on special teams returing kickoffs and punts … expected to fill both roles once again – despite being the team’s starting running back … shifty runner, who follows his blocks well and explodes through the holes … can catch the ball out of the backfield as well … all-league candidate this fall … has rushed for over 1,000 yards in his first two years at WCU … younger brother, Jarey Elder, is a defensive back for the Golden Rams … three-year letterwinner.

2016: Appeared in and started all 11 games… led the team in rushing with 1,013 yards (fifth overall in PSAC) on 202 carries… accounted for 11 touchdowns… led the team in all purpose yards with 1393 (10th overall in PSAC)… caught 12 passes for 184 yards… returned a total of nine kicks for 196 yards, including a team season high of 35 yards… rushed 21 times for 102 yards at Bentley, also caught one pass for five yards… 15 attempts for 40 yards against Slippery Rock… recorded season-high in carries and yards at Edinboro with 22 attempts for 193 yards and two touchdowns… caught four passes for 49 yards in the game and totaled a season-high 251 all purpose yards… carried 18 times for 87 yards and caught two passes for 23 yards against Lock Haven… also had two kick returns for a total of 59 yards in the game… accumulated 86 all purpose yards at Kutztown… had a big day against Shippensburg totaling 77 rushing yards and 74 receiving yards to go along with two touchdowns… totaled 18 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns at Bloomsburg… rushed 16 times for 76 yards against Cheyney… Found the endzone twice at ESU accompanied by 118 rushing yards… had 110 combined rushing and receiving yards against Millersville to go with a season-high three touchdowns… 83 rushing yards at Clarion… PSAC Eastern Division All-Conference Offensive First Team honors… All-ECAC Offense First Team honors… Philly-SIDA All-Academic honors…  2016 Don Hansen FB Gazette All-Super Region One honors.

2015: Appeared in 10 games … made one start … led the team in rushing with 561 yards on 119 carries … scored five touchdowns … averaged 4.7 yards per carry … named PSAC East offensive player of the week the third week of the season and PSAC East special teams player of the week at the end of the year … racked up 365 all-purpose yards in a win over Seton Hill … that marked the third-best effort in a single game in West Chester history … finished that game with a career-high 247 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter that broke a 24-24 tie … his 25 carries that game were a career best while his eight catches for 84 yards also set new career standards … scored four TDs overall in the game (one receiving) … returned two kickoffs for 34 yards as well … returned five kickoffs for 133 yards in a win over East Stroudsburg that led to his special teams player of the week nod … rushed for a pair of TDs at Millersville, finishing with 26 yards on seven carries … ran the ball 15 times for 65 yards at Mercyhurst … rushed for 72 yards on 17 carries at Lock Haven … went over 100 all-purpose yards four times last year … registered 161 all-purpose yards at Mercyhurst and collected 154 against ESU … had 137 at Lock Haven …

2014: Appeared in all 13 games … did not make a start … ranked second in all purpose yards with 1,072 … team’s third leading rusher … primary kick returner for the Golden Rams … posted 585 yards on 23 attempts and one touchdown as a kick returner … rushed for 452 yards on 89 carries, to go along with three touchdowns as a running back … also caught three passes for 42 yards during the season … made his first career appearance against New Haven … enjoyed best game of the season against Millersville with 179 all-purpose yards and his longest kick return for 90 yards … also scored his first two collegiate touchdowns … registered a season-high 107 yards on 16 carries against Cheyney … made one solo tackle on special teams against East Stroudsburg.

2013: Red-shirted … did not appear in a contest.

Ultra productive, Elder possesses quick strike ability from any position that requires the player to handle the football. Undersized, but has solid stocky build rather than thin narrow frame. Plays bigger than his size and can hide behind his linemen.

 Predominantly playing running back at West Chester his best opportunity to make the 53-man roster is in the mode of Dallas Cowboys’ Cole Beasley. The two players share similar qualities in terms of shiftiness and quick change of direction ability. He is a very tough pound for pound, similar in that way to Philadelphia Eagles’ Darren Sproles plays the game.

Elder has plenty of highlights of long runs but take notice you will uncover a gritty hard nosed back. Overall, solid competitor who finishes his runs and gives effort as a blocker. Pro Day 40-yard time will be closely monitored by the NFL Scouts. Some might say he is basically he is too small to consider, but then is simply to productive not to consider. That is the conundrum with Elder moving forward.