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Malcolm Agnew is a 5-foot-9, 207-pound running back out of Southern Illinois. He didn’t end up getting drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, but the Green Bay Packers signed him soon after the draft ended. It isn’t going to be easy for him to make the team, but he is happy to take on the challenge.
During his two seasons with the Salukis of Southern Illinois, Agnew carried the football 316 times for 1,708 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns. They may not be massive numbers, but they are solid and his work ethic and ability to play special teams give him a chance to make the roster and grow with the Packers’ coaching staff.
He is extremely excited to get started with the Packers, and is even more happy to be joining a franchise with as much history as Green Bay has.
“I couldn’t be any happier joining such a prestigious organization. I knew Green Bay was interested throughout the process, so when they called and we made it official, I was on cloud nine.”
There are some questions about what he can bring to the NFL that will help him make the Packers’ roster or practice squad. He isn’t the biggest guy, but he gave some insight on what type of a player he really is.
“I may be smaller, but I bring a lot to the table. My burst through the hole, balance, vision and deceptive strength are my strong points. Despite my size, I love running in between the tackles. My favorite plays are actually inside zone runs. Protecting number 12 is a priority, and I’m more than willing to do that. I’m a high energy, high effort guy.”
Green Bay has two very good running backs already in Eddie Lacy and James Starks, but they did lose DuJuan Harris in free agency. They are going to need to carry one more running back on the roster, and the battle will come down to Agnew and second-year running back Rajion Neal. Agnew plans to learn everything he can from those three guys during camp and preseason action.
“I plan on picking their brains and learning from them as much as possible. James Starks is a Super Bowl champ and Lacy is a stud. I can learn a lot from them both and Rajion Neal. I think the Packers are a bona fide contender for a championship heading into this year. We are a very talented team and looks like a close knit group. I can’t wait to join it.”
Needless to say, that type of energy can be very contagious, and he is the type of player that teams need on their roster. Plenty of running backs have been viewed as undersized but have succeeded in the NFL. Agnew talked about players that he would compare his game to, and there are a couple of interesting names on his list.
“Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons, Ray Rice and Branden Oliver are people I compare myself to. Smaller in stature, but tough and can put their foot in the ground and get north and south.”
Whether or not he makes the roster, Agnew has a place in the NFL if teams give him a chance. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up making Green Bay’s roster as their third running back, and he had a message for Green Bay fans as well.
“I know how special this place is, and I’m not taking this opportunity lightly. Being a Packer is a dream come true. I can’t wait to meet and interact with all of the fans! Go Pack Go! Proverbs 3:5-6. God bless you all.”
Agnew sounds like a very good pickup for the Packers, and he has a great personality that will make a lot of fans root for him to make the final roster. It will come down to him and Neal for the final running back job, but even if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, he will likely land on the practice squad. There is no question that he has a future in the NFL, and hopefully it will be with the Packers.
All quotes are from an exclusive interview between Evan Massey and Malcolm Agnew.
Evan Massey is the Green Bay Packers beat writer for www.RantSports.com, and also contributes across the NFL, MLB and NBA portions of the site. Follow him on Twitter at @Massey_Evan.
