draft. After leaving, he wasn’t heard from for a few days until he showed up at the Florida facility where he had been preparing for Indy. He was reportedly still dressed in his combine gear and had been at the Fort Lauderdale airport for three straight days. He has since been dropped by his agent and returned to California.
Strengths: Has a strong, compact build. Good vision, quickness, agility and short-area burst — makes subtle moves and can sort his way through tight spaces, find small creases and make the first tackler miss. Sets up runs and has good lower-body power to kick through arm tackles. Runs hard with a low center of gravity and does not go down easy. Good receiving skills and open-field running vision to create after the catch. Outstanding production.
Weaknesses: Average size. Lacks bellcow power and run strength ideally suited to carry a full workload. Likes to bounce a lot and press the edges. Will need more technique work in pass protection. Did not regularly face top competition and will be more challenged by the speed of the NFL game.
Future: A herky-jerky, off-tackle/perimeter runner most ideally suited for a zone ground game such as the Eagles, Seahawks or Packers, Muema could earn a complementary role as a change-of-pace back. Could be a surprise, late-round find if he can find more stability .
Draft projection: Priority free agent.
Scout’s take: “That was one of the wilder situations I have encountered at the Combine.They said he was meditating on his bed. He wants to be a free agent and play for the Seahawks. That is the story. I think he was scared to run his 40. He is quicker than fast. He’s probably a 4.7 guy.”
RB-KR ladarius perkins, #27
mississippi state > Grade: 5.23
Ht: 5-7 3/8 | Wt: 195 | Sp: 4.46 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 5/8
History: The Mississippi prep played both running back and defensive back. Rushed for 1,915 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. Also was a track standout, earning state titles in both the 100 and 200 meters. Originally committed to Auburn before staying home to play for Mississippi State. After sitting out in 2009 as a redshirt, he played in 13 games for the Bulldogs in ’10 and rushed 101 times for 566 yards (5.6-yard average) and three touchdowns with nine receptions for 247 yards (27.4) and three touchdowns. Also was used on special teams, recording 14-281-0 (20.0) on kickoffs and 1-16-0 on punts. Backed up Colts RB Vick Ballard in ’11 when he played in 13 games and carried 87-422-2 (4.9) and caught 13-59-2 (4.5) to go with 16-363-0 (22.7) on kickoff returns. Moved into the starting lineup in ’12 and tallied 205-1,024-8 (5.0) on the ground, 19-160-2 (8.4) receiving and 16-325-0 (20.3) on kickoff returns in 12 starts. Crossed the goal line in each of his first seven starts and had four 100-yard efforts. His 1,509 all-purpose yards were the fifth-highest total in school history. Missed one game with an injured left quad. Sprained an ankle in the ’13 season opener and was hobbled by the injury all year, totaling 137-542-2 (4.0) on the ground and 27-248-3 (9.2) receiving in 12 starts. Missed one game due to the ankle injury. Concluded his college career ranking second in school history in all-purpose yards (4,253) and fifth in rushing (2,554). Team captain.
Strengths: Compact and muscular. Strong hips. Quick-footed and shifty. Good acceleration from static start. Short-area burst is best asset. Stops and starts quickly. Darts through holes. Hits another gear when he gets into the second level. Competitive speed. Willing blocker. Led team in all-purpose yards as redshirt freshman. Well-respected with outstanding football and personal character.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal bulk to handle a heavy workload week to week. Has some hip tightness. Average eyes and instincts. Not a pile mover. Tends to pitter patter instead of pressing the hole. Gears down to cut. Did not put the ball on the ground often, but carries loosely and at times in the wrong
Strengths: Has a strong, compact build. Good vision, quickness, agility and short-area burst — makes subtle moves and can sort his way through tight spaces, find small creases and make the first tackler miss. Sets up runs and has good lower-body power to kick through arm tackles. Runs hard with a low center of gravity and does not go down easy. Good receiving skills and open-field running vision to create after the catch. Outstanding production.
Weaknesses: Average size. Lacks bellcow power and run strength ideally suited to carry a full workload. Likes to bounce a lot and press the edges. Will need more technique work in pass protection. Did not regularly face top competition and will be more challenged by the speed of the NFL game.
Future: A herky-jerky, off-tackle/perimeter runner most ideally suited for a zone ground game such as the Eagles, Seahawks or Packers, Muema could earn a complementary role as a change-of-pace back. Could be a surprise, late-round find if he can find more stability .
Draft projection: Priority free agent.
Scout’s take: “That was one of the wilder situations I have encountered at the Combine.They said he was meditating on his bed. He wants to be a free agent and play for the Seahawks. That is the story. I think he was scared to run his 40. He is quicker than fast. He’s probably a 4.7 guy.”
RB-KR ladarius perkins, #27
mississippi state > Grade: 5.23
Ht: 5-7 3/8 | Wt: 195 | Sp: 4.46 | Arm: 31 | Hand: 9 5/8
History: The Mississippi prep played both running back and defensive back. Rushed for 1,915 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. Also was a track standout, earning state titles in both the 100 and 200 meters. Originally committed to Auburn before staying home to play for Mississippi State. After sitting out in 2009 as a redshirt, he played in 13 games for the Bulldogs in ’10 and rushed 101 times for 566 yards (5.6-yard average) and three touchdowns with nine receptions for 247 yards (27.4) and three touchdowns. Also was used on special teams, recording 14-281-0 (20.0) on kickoffs and 1-16-0 on punts. Backed up Colts RB Vick Ballard in ’11 when he played in 13 games and carried 87-422-2 (4.9) and caught 13-59-2 (4.5) to go with 16-363-0 (22.7) on kickoff returns. Moved into the starting lineup in ’12 and tallied 205-1,024-8 (5.0) on the ground, 19-160-2 (8.4) receiving and 16-325-0 (20.3) on kickoff returns in 12 starts. Crossed the goal line in each of his first seven starts and had four 100-yard efforts. His 1,509 all-purpose yards were the fifth-highest total in school history. Missed one game with an injured left quad. Sprained an ankle in the ’13 season opener and was hobbled by the injury all year, totaling 137-542-2 (4.0) on the ground and 27-248-3 (9.2) receiving in 12 starts. Missed one game due to the ankle injury. Concluded his college career ranking second in school history in all-purpose yards (4,253) and fifth in rushing (2,554). Team captain.
Strengths: Compact and muscular. Strong hips. Quick-footed and shifty. Good acceleration from static start. Short-area burst is best asset. Stops and starts quickly. Darts through holes. Hits another gear when he gets into the second level. Competitive speed. Willing blocker. Led team in all-purpose yards as redshirt freshman. Well-respected with outstanding football and personal character.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal bulk to handle a heavy workload week to week. Has some hip tightness. Average eyes and instincts. Not a pile mover. Tends to pitter patter instead of pressing the hole. Gears down to cut. Did not put the ball on the ground often, but carries loosely and at times in the wrong
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