The Devy Digest, Freshman Friday’s – featuring LSU Tigers RB Caden Durham.
- Caden Durham
- Position: Running Back
- LSU Tigers
- 5’9” 195 lbs
- Draft Eligible: 2027
- Devy Digest Freshman RB Rank: 5
Who is Caden Durham?
Caden Durham was a 4⭐️ in the composites who attended Duncanville High in Texas. Durham held 37 offers but would ultimately commit to LSU in August 2023, and stuck with that commitment through early signing day. Durham would average ten yards per carry as a Senior in high school in Texas, the mecca of high school football. Durham has verified 10.50 seconds 100 meter dash with a personal best of 21.54 seconds in the 200m dash.
Durham is a compact running back with excellent vision. He’s a patient runner who is willing to run between the tackles. Durham possesses good contact balance and lateral agility. He has a track background and that shows itself in spades on film.
Durham is electric, and a threat to take it to the house with every carry. He has multiple gears and the ability to run away from the defense. He is also a capable receiver out of the back field.
Durham projects to be more of a change of pace back due to his compact size. The LSU running back room has cleared out a bit with Logan Diggs now at Ole Miss, and Trey Holly getting into legal issues.
Pathway to Success
Kaleb Jackson should be the lead back for LSU, but Caden Durham could find himself as the RB2 as a true Freshman. Even if LSU brings someone in from the portal or if Trey Holly’s legal situation is resolved without issue and is back with the program, Durham could find himself as the third down back. There is a clear path for Durham to get playing time early.
Both Jackson and Durham could be an electric duo for LSU in the coming years. Durham has every right to earn a role in this offense that needs to replace a lot of production. His tape is full of explosive plays. With his ability to be a receiver, Durham could find himself as a chess piece and also work in as a returner. It’s likely he won’t be the guy, but he could be in rotation. The coaching staff will have multiple ways to evaluate him early on.
Areas for Improvements & Concerns
LSU’s running back room is young, and there could be a possibility that during the spring portal window, they pick up a couple of veterans to help fill the room and add depth. If that is the case, Caden Durham could slide in the depth chart and only be a rotational piece.
LSU also has a new offensive coordinator so we have some questions on how the offense will be called. Jayden Daniels is a very different player from Garrett Nussmeier, the Tigers’ new quarterback. Nussmeier gives the RB room a safe floor, with enough carries and workload in goal to go situations. LSU play at a slower tempo, and if so, the amount of plays would go down. That would mean the chances of plays for Durham could also take a hit.
During the early national signing day period, LSU had Logan Diggs and Trey Holly on the depth chart. They did not get anyone out of the portal window at that time, and now that they are down two at the position, LSU is a school to watch to add on a running back. Perhaps they get a grad transfer or a veteran who’s unhappy with his role.
As of now, Durham is a big winner, but the landscape could change in a couple of months. It doesn’t appear that Durham will enroll early and will have to wait until the summer to get into the program. That is another concern, because LSU will look at the room and fill it with depth. That could stunt the early growth for Durham.
Devy & C2C Value
In Devy drafts, Caden Durham should be in consideration in the third round.
In a C2C supplemental draft, Durham will likely be taken anywhere from the mid-second round to the third. After the top two tiers of wide receivers and top three quarterbacks are taken, it’s likely Durham is taken as high as the fourth running back taken in this group. Durham has the ability to be a producer on the campus side of your league due to his electric style of play and the ability to take it to the house with every touch.
NFL Outlook
We all know the NFL has devalued the running back position. However, the NFL loves an elite skill set and Durham has that with his track speed. Durham is on the smaller side at 5 feet 9 inches, and his frame suggests he could add on 8-10 pounds.
Durham projects as a change of pace back, and we’ve seen these smaller electric backs make noise at the next level. If Durham continues to show his electric home run threat at LSU, he could very well get day two draft capital because of his unique set of skills.
Andy Pham
Andy is the creator of the Devy Digest. His passion is devy and C2C. Andy's Devy Diguest articles provide insightful, yet thoughtful commentary to give you a leg up on the devy prospects so you know how to approach your devy and C2C drafts. With The Devy Digest podcast, Andy provides episodes of interesting and exciting topics and when he invites guests, you get to be a fly on the wall, listening in on two people having a conversation where they give you a different perspective. Come, join the journey that is Andy's Devy Digest.