5 Shocking Takeaways From Marcus Carroll's 2025 NFL Draft Profile: The 5.04-Second Question

The conversation surrounding Marcus Carroll and the 2025 NFL Draft is one of the most polarizing among running back prospects this year. Following a career that saw him dominate the Sun Belt Conference before transferring to the SEC, Carroll declared for the draft, hoping to solidify his stock. As of the current date, December 17, 2025, the scouting community is grappling with his highly productive college tape versus a set of Pro Day testing numbers that raise significant questions about his athletic ceiling at the professional level.

This article dives deep into the latest analysis, fresh statistics from his 2024 season at Missouri, and the surprising measurable results that are shaping his final draft grade. His journey from a standout at Georgia State to a contributing back for the Missouri Tigers offers a unique narrative for NFL teams looking for a powerful, high-volume runner.

Marcus Carroll: Complete Biographical Profile & College Career Stats

Marcus Carroll’s path to the NFL Draft is marked by continuous production and a successful jump in competition, culminating in his declaration after the 2024 college football season.

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• Full Name: Marcus Carroll
• Position: Running Back (RB)
• Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
• Weight: 205–216 lbs (92–98 kg)
• Hometown: Union City, Georgia
• Primary College: Georgia State University (2020–2023)
• Transfer College: University of Missouri (2024)
• Key College Awards/Honors:
  • First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference (2023)
  • Doak Walker Award Semifinalist (2023)
• 2023 Season (Georgia State):
  • Rushing Yards: 1,350 (No. 6 in the nation)
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 13
  • Yards Per Carry: 4.9
• 2024 Season (Missouri):
  • Rushing Yards: 595
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 12
  • Note: Shared backfield duties after transferring to the SEC.

The Pro Day Paradox: Why His Testing Numbers Are a Major Concern

The biggest factor currently impacting Marcus Carroll’s draft projection for 2025 is his athletic testing, specifically the results from the Mizzou Pro Day. While his on-field production speaks to a powerful runner with good vision, his measurable data suggests a significant lack of top-end speed, which is a critical trait for NFL running backs.

The Pro Day results present a paradox: how can a player who was so dominant in college have such pedestrian testing numbers? This discrepancy forces scouts to weigh the 'tape' (game film) heavily against the 'traits' (athleticism).

Key Mizzou Pro Day Results (2025)

Marcus Carroll participated in the Missouri Pro Day, where he put up the following unofficial numbers:

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• 40-Yard Dash: 5.04 seconds (Unofficial)
• Bench Press (225 lbs): 26 repetitions
• Vertical Jump: 31.5 inches
• Broad Jump: 9 feet, 3 inches (9.03)
• Hand Size: 10 1/8 inches

The 5.04-second 40-yard dash is the most alarming number for NFL scouts. For context, a time over 5.0 seconds for a running back is exceptionally slow by modern NFL standards, potentially classifying him as a short-yardage or goal-line specialist only. However, his 26 reps on the Bench Press are elite for the position, demonstrating the powerful lower and upper body strength that shows up on his game film as a powerful, contact-shedding runner.

Scouts must determine if the Pro Day time is an accurate reflection of his game speed or if his football intelligence and vision allow him to play faster than he tests. The draft community is split, with some Draft Scout services listing a more favorable, though still slow, 40-time of 4.82 seconds.

Scouting Report: Strengths, Weaknesses, and NFL Fit

Marcus Carroll’s scouting profile is built on his proven ability to handle a heavy workload and his powerful running style. His transfer to the SEC to play for the Missouri Tigers in 2024, following a 1,350-yard season at Georgia State, was a crucial step in proving he could compete against top-tier defensive talent.

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Topical Authority: Key Strengths on Tape

Carroll is not a finesse runner; his game is predicated on power and decisiveness. He is a downhill runner who consistently falls forward for extra yards. This style of play is highly valued in the NFL, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

• Exceptional Strength: His 26 bench press reps translate directly to his powerful running style. He has the lower-body strength to break arm tackles and the core strength to withstand contact at the line of scrimmage.
• Vision and Decisiveness: He shows good patience and vision, allowing blocks to develop before hitting the hole with conviction. This trait was evident in both the Sun Belt and the SEC.
• High-Volume Capability: At Georgia State, he was a true workhorse, proving he can handle 20+ carries a game, a valuable asset for teams looking for a durable back.
• Run-Blocking: He exhibits good initial strength and technique in pass and run blocking, often sealing off defenders from the action.

Weaknesses and Areas for Improvement

The primary concern remains his long speed, but other areas of his game also need refinement for the NFL level.

• Top-End Speed: The 5.04-second 40-yard dash is a major red flag, suggesting he lacks the burst to pull away from NFL linebackers and safeties in the open field. He may struggle to turn a 15-yard run into a 50-yard touchdown.
• Elusiveness: He relies more on power than lateral agility. His short-area quickness and ability to make defenders miss in a phone booth are not elite.
• Consistency in Attitude: Some reports suggest he "does not play with a nasty attitude and at times seems even soft," particularly in finishing blocks, which is a coachable but notable weakness.

2025 NFL Draft Projection and Team Fits

Given the mixed scouting report—elite power and production contrasted with poor athletic testing—Marcus Carroll is currently projected to be a Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, likely falling into the 6th or 7th round, or potentially signing as a priority undrafted free agent (UDFA). His draft stock will heavily depend on how teams weigh his college production against his Pro Day numbers.

Teams looking for a powerful, two-down back who can immediately contribute on goal-line and short-yardage packages will be most interested. His ability to hit the hole decisively and convert on third-and-short is a premium skill.

Potential Team Fits (Based on Need and Scheme):

• Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons hosted Carroll for a local Pro Day, showing early interest in the Georgia native. Their scheme often prioritizes powerful runners.
• New Orleans Saints: Known for utilizing power backs in their rotation, the Saints could see him as a rotational piece to complement a speedier back.
• Green Bay Packers: A team that values strong running and blocking from the running back position, Carroll could fit well in their scheme as a short-yardage specialist.
• Tennessee Titans: With a history of valuing downhill, physical runners, the Titans could be an ideal landing spot for a back with Carroll’s profile.

Ultimately, Marcus Carroll's NFL future will be determined by a team willing to bet on the tape—the 1,350-yard season and 24 total touchdowns over two years—and overlook the stop-watch. He has the size, strength, and college production to carve out a role, but the 5.04-second 40-yard dash will be the biggest hurdle he must overcome in the eyes of NFL General Managers.