Todd McShay raves about Jahmyr Gibbs' draft stock amid strong 2022 season

Jahmyr Gibbs arrived at Alabama as a high-profile transfer portal addition from Georgia Tech. So far, he’s living up to the hype — and ESPN’s Todd McShay thinks he’s becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick right before our eyes.

McShay joined The Paul Finebaum Show Friday and raved about Gibbs’ performance this season, putting him among his first-round draft picks that include Alabama teammates Will Anderson and Bryce Young. Gibbs has emerged as the Crimson Tide’s top running back this year, rushing for 635 yards and five touchdowns while also totaling 268 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the passing game.

That’s why McShay thinks Gibbs’ draft stock is on the rise as Alabama prepares for this week’s game against Mississippi State.

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“You’ve a running back in Jahmyr Gibbs,” McShay said. “Let me just say this so everyone understands. Coming into the year, I thought he was a good player, watching Georgia Tech tape. He can catch the ball pretty well. For 200 pounds, he blocks well in pass protection. … He’s taken it to another level this year, and really the last three games. He’s had, total yards of offense, 513 [yards] the past three games.

“He’s got 24 catches on the season, he’s been the workhorse back. And his ability to make defenders miss in a small area and then that breakaway speed that he has is just devastating with the pursuit angles. He’s a special player, and I think he’s going to be the third player that’s going to be a first-round draft pick from this Alabama team after Will Anderson and Bryce Young in April’s draft.”

Gibbs’ opponent this week, Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach, knows the challenge the former Georgia Tech star presents for the Bulldogs’ defense. He talked about that during a press conference earlier this week.

“I think he’s really good. I think that’s the thing,” Leach said of Gibbs. “They keep you kind of thinned out because you’re trying to tend to both of them. Then as they do that you can’t just focus on one thing, and then you’re vulnerable to both a little bit.”