21 Players in 21 Days: #8 Devon Achane

Devon Achane

Position: Running back
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Missouri City, TX
Listed Height: 5-9
Listed Weight: 185

Key notes from Olin’s analysis of Achane

• At the end of this year, we may look silly for having him at No. 8. He's a spectacular prospect who has already shown what he can do in a small size. Imagine what he can do when he gets the ball more, and he will get the ball more because Jimbo Fisher is a smart guy. What matchup isn't favorable when you have Devon Achane?

• I've compared him to Tony Dorsett in that he's really fast, but he runs with more power than you expect. I go back to the Arkansas game when he ran through two tacklers for a 30-yard touchdown.

• In the Auburn game, he was dominant in that game. Then, we all saw the Orange Bowl. I think that's just the tip of the iceberg.

• Jimbo indicated that we should expect to see him returning kickoffs. A&M only returned three last year, but Achane has the ability to take it all the way.

• He's so fast, and he's fast everywhere. I'd have to ask the linemen, but I imagine he's a guy where you don't have to hold your block very long because he's already around the corner and by everybody. He's a guy you should have to interrupt the defender for.

• People remembered what he did in high school, and I saw him against Boerne. He was amazing, and I remember him catching the ball. He's a complete player, and he's good in pass protection as well. As the year went on, we started with Ainias Smith at running back, and then Isaiah Spiller took over. Maybe Achane was forgotten about some last year because they were fine at running back. They were doing all these things with Smith and Spiller, but when they brought Achane on in garbage time vs. Arkansas, it was like, "Oh! Look at that!" He was a freshman who played his way into the lineup and is now a budding star.

• The thing about track, and we've said it all offseason: Imagine what he would do if he just focused on track. Jimbo has said he's a football player running track and not a track guy playing football, which is a huge difference. To run a 10-flat and a 20.2 are amazing. To get to the Olympic Trials as an 18 or 19-year-old while only focusing on track beginning in February is incredible.

Follow the entire 21 players in 21 days series here.