Mizzou Football: Hopefully Senior Bowl helped Larry Rountree’s draft stock

Jan 26, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; American running back Larry Rountree III of Missouri (34) runs in drills during National team practice during the 2021 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; American running back Larry Rountree III of Missouri (34) runs in drills during National team practice during the 2021 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mizzou football running back Larry Rountree played in the Senior Bowl over the weekend. How did he look in front of the NFL scouts? 

As of now, when looking at the running back prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft on The Draft Network, it takes a bit before locating Larry Rountree‘s name. He’s listed as the 288th best prospect in the draft, which would make him an undrafted free agent in their opinion. Needless to say, it was important for the Missouri Tigers running back to make a bigger name for himself at the Senior Bowl.

Rountree saw the field, but his stats weren’t overwhelming. He finished the game with four carries for seven yards (averaging 1.8 yards per carry) and his longest run for five yards. Rountree also got in on the action in the receiving game, hauling in two catches for 19 yards, including a 12-yard reception.

So, in total, Rountree finished the Senior Bowl with 26 yards from scrimmage. It’s hard for players to really have a huge impact, as they have to split playing time with other attendees, so Rountree did what he could in limited action.

Will this appearance help Mizzou football alum Larry Rountree when the 2021 NFL Draft comes around?

Running backs have a tough time getting drafted as it is, as teams have discovered they don’t need to spend an early-round pick on one due to how banged up they get. Rountree very well could not hear his name called over draft weekend, but he’ll surely get an opportunity to prove himself with a team, especially if the preseason is able to take place this year.

Rountree was a reliable running back for Mizzou, finishing his career with 3,720 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns while also tallying 289 receiving yards. He was never really a pass-catching back, but he did have 100 yards receiving as a senior, which is impressive considering the Tigers had a different quarterback under center.

Rountree rushed for over 1,000 yards just once in his MU career, which came as a sophomore in 2018 where he had 1,216 yards. He did come close his senior year, finishing with 972 yards and also recording a career-high in touchdowns with 14. The Tigers’ offense really leaned heavily on Rountree and he showed he could carry the load.

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Hopefully, the Senior Bowl did Rountree some favors and teams will express more of an interest in him come draft time. He’s a fan favorite at Mizzou and fans would love to see him kick butt in the NFL.