In just a few days, we’ll all be watching college football once again. A lengthy offseason coming to a close and a new journey beginning for so many athletes. On Saturday, Fresno State returns to play, and it will be led by a fifth-year senior by the name of Ronnie Rivers. His final season will be ever so bittersweet; he’ll dominate once again but the prolific runner will depart for the NFL — the next stop in his journey.

Rivers has electrified the MWC football world for four seasons now. In his Fresno State career, he has totaled 2,629 rushing yards on 510 carries and has rushed for 35 touchdowns. Ronnie excels with his hands as well, as he’s carved up defenses for 1,057 receiving yards on 116 receptions and put up nine TDs so far. 5.2 Yards Per Carry, 9.1 Yards Per Catch. Solid. I’m looking for Rivers to rush for about 5.8 YPC this season. I think that’s a good number for him to build off of as he catapults into the NFL.

When looking back at Ronnie’s career thus far, it’s tough to choose which game was his best, but it’s so fun to look back and remember some of these incredible performances. I believe that his best game would be the consensus choice: 2018’s Las Vegas Bowl against Arizona State. Rivers galloped for 212 yards and two TDs on the ground as he carried the ball 24 times. His Bulldogs were trailing 20-17 late in the third quarter, and Rivers exploded for a 68-yard touchdown run to take the lead, and Fresno State never looked back. This was done after being told an injury in the spring would force him to miss the 2018 season, but he worked hard and defied the odds. He put together an amazing season and helped lead Fresno State to a 12-2 season as they won both the MWC title and the Las Vegas Bowl. 

When analyzing Ronnie Rivers, you’ll quickly notice that he’s incredibly shifty. Like this dude’s footwork is on another level! When pairing this with an innate ability to read the right holes to hit, it makes for a really good RB. Of course he’s got outstanding vision and he’s a tough guy to tackle, very slippery. He accelerates very well and has explosive burst. Watching him break away from defenders just makes me think of a fast car speeding away and leaving a cloud of dust behind. Rivers has a really good motor and work ethic. In the receiving game you’ll notice that Ronnie can destroy a LB and take his lunch money. His speed and burst helps him win on wheel routes, and he’s got good hands. He’s also made some big plays on drags and in the open field. Again, plays in the open field happen because this dude possesses lethal cutting ability.

As the NFL continues to show interest in RBs that do damage in the receiving game in addition to running the ball well, Ronnie Rivers appears to be a very worthy prospect.

This Saturday, I recommend that you take a look at No. 20 on Fresno State as they host UConn. Just let him impress you, and then you’ll continue to watch him all season long.

Ronnie Rivers has been doubted and second guessed his entire football career. Don’t make the same mistakes that others made. He’ll just leave you looking silly too.