[GoRU]

'09 KY RB Deuce Finch



All-purpose back
Louisville (KY) St. Xavier

Ht: 5-foot-10
Wt: 204 lbs
Class: 2009 (High School)

ESPN

Finch is a strong and determined downhill runner with the physical tools and body structure to carry his current production to the college level. He possesses a thick, compact frame and can absorb or hand out the punishment between the tackles. Shows the running strength and durability to pound it in-line and wear down a defense. Most productive when he attacks the hole downhill at full speed with good shoulder lean. Difficult to arm tackle when he picks up momentum. Consistently breaks through lower arm-tackles with his powerful thighs, good lower-body strength and explosiveness. Doesn't give defenders a clean shot with his good body-tilt and pad level through traffic. Aggressive back who keeps his feet churning on contact and looks to finish runs often resulting in him spinning out the pile. While he is a strong north-south runner who shows some decisive cutting, he struggles at times with in-line vision and making defenders miss through the hole. Not real elusive or shifty and lacks good lateral quickness. More straight-lined and does not project well in today's popular college zone schemes. More of a one-gear back and lacks an extra gear needed to pull away when he turns the corner or finds an open seam. Good stride but top-end speed in the second level is just adequate. Does a good job pounding it between the tackles and can wear down a defense at the high school level, but physical upside may be limited and he could struggle carrying the load at the next level. Overall, Finch is an impressive downhill runner, particularly when he plants and accelerates north-south instead of trying to stretch it laterally. Limited on the number of schemes he can fit into in college but could develop into a workhorse in a power-running offense with added size and strength. Good prospect.

Jody Demling - Recruiting

We continue our look at top football prospects in the state of Kentucky for the Class of 2009 and this time we'll look at a Louisville-area running back.

St. Xavier High School running back Deuce Finch is getting some serious looks and the recruiting process figures to only get more hectic for the 5-foot-10, 200-pound runner.

Finch, who missed four games because of injuries as a junior, ran 170 times for 1,620 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 9.2 yards a carry for the season.

Now, he's reaping the rewards in the recruiting game.

Finch said he's already been offered by Kentucky and Stanford and has been told an official offer from North Carolina State is in the mail.

"It's going great," Finch said. "I am wide open right now. There's really no top school for me right now. I'm just starting to go through the process."

Finch said he's also hearing from Louisville, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and Indiana among others. He's going to Notre Dame's junior day on Saturday and will attend a junior day at Stanford in early April.

"It's all really fun for me," Finch said. "But it's still early. I just want to go to these junior days and see what's going on."

Finch said the offer from Stanford was especially nice.

"Being one of the best academic schools in the nation, it was (an offer) that made my eyes pop out," Finch said.

Finch was listed as a "potential" All-American out of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Junior Combine by CSTV.com analyst Tom Lemming.