Five Bay Area Players to Watch in the NFL Combine

Daniel Lasco, Cal RB

Fifth-Year Senior, 6’1″, 205 lbs.

Lasco has a great skill set, but he has a lot to prove in the Combine after a rough 2015 season. He’s explosive and decisive, seeing and hitting the hole quickly and with great burst. He has good speed and makes nice cuts, and isn’t afraid to lower his pads to dish out some punishment to an unsuspecting defensive back. The biggest problem is his durability.

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In his career at Cal, Lasco carried the ball 348 times for 1,872 yards and 18 touchdowns, and proved himself to be a viable receiver out of the backfield with 48 catches, 458 yards, and two scores. His junior season was his best, as he piled up 1,115 yards and 12 touchdowns on 210 carries, which made him one of the top running back prospects in the country.

His senior year put a damper on that hype, as hip and ankle injuries limited him to nine games and just 65 carries. Injuries have been an ongoing issue for Lasco, as he missed time his senior year in high school, and in 2013 because of a shoulder injury.

Next: Cal Bears NFL Combine Preview

Lasco made a very nice impression at the East West Shrine Game, racking up a game-high 62 yards on six carries, including a 41-yard scamper on a draw play that allowed him to show his vision, burst, and cutting abilities. Another strong showing at the Combine could put Lasco in position as a highly-touted running back yet again as draft season draws near.