Zac Stacy making some combine waves

The NFL's annual meat market is currently taking place in Indianapolis and at least one Commodore is doing his best to improve his draft stock by turning heads in a way few outside Nashville would have expected.

Of course to anyone who is inside the Vanderbilt circle of influence the fact that a leader and perfectionist like Stacy would shine at the combine should come as no surprise whatsoever. Though Stacy may not have the raw athleticism as some of his peers (though he is doing his best to debunk that theory too) you will not find a more hard working running back in the entire 2013 draft class. Much to Stacy's credit people are starting to pay attention.

Coming into the combine most draft experts had Stacy as a sixth or seventh round pick at best, some even had him going undrafted. Stacy's big problem has been that the NFL is moving away from the workhorse running back with most teams going to a committee approach where pure speed and athleticism is valued above the ability to carry the ball 25-30 times a game.

Knowing this Stacy had to prove that he could move with the big boys, and prove it he did. His 40 time of 4.55 was certainly solid for a guy weighing in at 218 pounds but it was in the agility heavy three cone drill where the former 'Dore star showed what he can do. His time of 6.7 seconds was just 1/100th of a second slower than pace setter Christine Michael and was faster than break out NFL rookies last year like Doug Martin, LaMichael James, and Alfred Morris. Throw in 27 reps of the 225 pound bar, good for third best among true running backs, and you have a set of combine numbers which are moving Stacy up draft boards quickly.

Morris is probably the best case study as he is the guy with who people are slowly starting to compare Stacy. The Redskin tailback by comparison has a 4.67 second 40 yard time, but both are guys who are noted for playing faster than their timed speed. Stacy also has all the intangibles which scouts will start to love, and his pass blocking and leadership abilities will give him the versatility to be a three down back in the league eventually.

The take away from all this is that though Stacy may have to find his way into the NFL as a special teamer initially, a role in which he will surely excel, the weekend festivities in Indianapolis will have scouts digging deeper into Commodore game tape to see just what he can do on the field.