Raiders UDFA Sam McGuffie player profile

Sam McGuffie is an interesting prospect considering how versatile he was in his career at Rice University after transferring from Michigan. He became the first ever Rice player with over 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving in his career. That versatility could offer him a significant shot at making the Raiders roster.

The Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has already shown that he is capable of finding valuable talent in UDFA signings with his finding of WR Rod Streater last year. Streater became an invaluable piece to the Raiders roster and was often the most consistent target for former Oakland QB Carson Palmer.

Now he is hoping to have found another player that can contribute significantly to this Raiders team in McGuffie. Sam plays a position where there is an opening after the release earlier this off-season of Darrius Heyward-Bey and he has a golden opportunity in front of him to make his dreams come true by making an NFL team roster.

The most impressive stat that I could find about Sam McGuffie was his 40-yard dash time at the NFL Super Regional combine at Cowboy stadium where he clocked a sub 4.4 time. There were even reports that his 40 time was actually in the 4.1 range which would be record setting. No matter what, any time between 4.1 and 4.4 is definitely NFL speed.

Adding to his impressive measurables, was his ridiculous 40.5 inch vertical jump, an 11ft 2in broad jump, and a 4.02 second short shuttle which were all near the top of the charts for this year's class. One reason he went drafted is his size and injury history. He is a generous 5-11, 200lbs and more importantly has a history with concussions.

If McGuffie can prove he belongs on the field he could be used in multiple positions from slot receiver, to running back, to special teams gunner with that the type of speed he possesses. The NFL is coming more to the realization that players like Randall Cobb and Percy Harvin are extremely valuable due to their ability to line up anywhere on the field. McGuffie's athletic ability could possibly allow him that type of opportunity for the Raiders.

You might recognize Sam's name from being a youtube sensation in highschool back in 2006 when he had one of the most impressive leap frogs of a defender football has ever seen. When you see athletic ability like that it's easy to tell why the Raiders decided to bring him in.

Sam McGuffie has the athletic ability to play in the NFL. It's whether he can stay healthy and prove that he can translate his superior athletic ability to the field that will decide if he makes the Raiders opening day roster. No matter what happens he is well worth a camp roster spot.