This is The Game Day’s Trey Sermon NFL Draft 2021 Prospect Profile. After you read our Trey Sermon Scouting Report, head over to Marcus Mosher’s first 2021 NFL Mock Draft for Rounds 1-3.
Read the rest of our 2021 NFL Draft Guide to find more pick predictions, player scouting reports, sleepers, bets and much more.
Trey Sermon NFL Draft Prospect Profile
Trey Sermon NFL Draft Prospect: Bio & Measurables
- School: Ohio State
- Class in Final Season: Senior
- Age on NFL Draft Day: 22
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Weight: 215 lbs.
Trey Sermon Scouting Report
Strengths
- Possesses NFL frame with good size and build
- Patiently waits for blocks to develop to find running lanes
- Effective ball-carrier on the inside
- Powerful runner, keeping feet moving through tackles
- Carries defenders with upfield momentum
- Forcefully finishes runs
- Good short-area quickness
- Capable of contributing out of the backfield
- Natural, soft hands with standout ball security
- Willing and reliable in pass-protection
Needs Improvement
- Lacks elite athleticism
- Not a perimeter runner
- Average top speed
- Running style is too upright, leading to injuries
- Lack of production on third downs
- Doesn’t profile as someone who can consistently carry the load
Trey Sermon NFL Outlook
Though Trey Sermon vied for playing time at Oklahoma and Ohio State (19 starts in 37 games), he made the most of it when he was on the field. In three seasons with the Sooners, Sermon amassed over 2,000 yards rushing and scored 25 touchdowns. In eight games at Ohio State, Sermon averaged a collegiate career-high 7.5 yards per attempt for 870 yards and four touchdowns. It’s worth noting that the bulk of Sermon’s Buckeyes stats were produced in a three-game stretch. In Sermon’s first four outings as a Buckeye, he averaged just 58 yards and no touchdowns.
During his time at Oklahoma, Sermon split time with Rodney Anderson and, at Ohio State, Master Teague III. Not having been a full-time starter has its pros and cons as he enters the NFL. Sermon will have fresher legs, but there will be questions about whether he’ll be limited to a rotational role.
Sermon also brings injury risk with him. A knee injury brought a premature end to what would later be his final season with the Sooners. Sermon injured his shoulder on his first carry in the national championship game (Buckeyes vs. Crimson Tide). He would miss the remainder of the game, as well as the 2021 Senior Bowl.
Sermon is said to be progressing from the shoulder injury and intends to conduct a full workout at his Ohio State Pro Day on March 30.
Sermon spent his college campaign behind deep, NFL-caliber offensive lines; strong quarterbacks (Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Justin Fields); and a supporting cast full of skill players (Marquise Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Mark Andrews). Sermon may need a similar structure to succeed at the pro level.
Sermon is a borderline Day 2/3 NFL backup. For teams willing to roll with the unpredictable injury risk, Sermon could provide rotational production. He has potential as a future starter with the right team and development.
Trey Sermon NFL Comparison
Trey Sermon has a similar running style to the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon. They’re both patient runners who forcefully finish plays and possess the talent to succeed in the passing game.
Neither has elite, breakaway speed, but they’re difficult to take down. Sermon and Mixon are nearly identical in stature: Sermon stands 6-feet-1, 215 pounds, and Mixon, 6-feet-1, 220 pounds.
Trey Sermon NFL Draft Team Fits
Pittsburgh Steelers
The main focus of the Steelers offseason will be on improving their 2020 last-ranked run game. The team has four backs rostered, yet no one who can carry the load. With a new offensive coordinator and demands from ownership to fix the ground game, they are likely to go with a running-back-by-committee approach.
This is why Pittsburgh would be the perfect fit for Trey Sermon. He showed flashes at the collegiate level but didn’t prove that he was ready to be a bell cow. If Sermon is still on the board when the Steelers pick in the third round (24th, 87th overall), they should snag him to join the running back stable.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens released Mark Ingram in the offseason, which leaves J.K. Dobbins to take the lead role with Gus Edwards behind him.
Though Dobbins and Sermon missed each other by a season at Ohio State, there could bond among the Buckeye alum. Baltimore leans on the rotational back system, which could be beneficial for Sermon. Edwards is scheduled to be a free agent in 2022, which would allow Sermon to develop as a change-of-pace back and perhaps move up the depth chart after Edwards’ departure.
If Sermon should fall to No. 41 (104 overall) in the third round, the Ravens should make a move to select him.
Now that you’ve read our Trey Sermon 2021 Draft Prospect scouting report, stay tuned for more NFL Draft analysis. Then, after the 2021 NFL Draft, we’ll cover his impact on betting lines, odds and tips for his NFL team.
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