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Next year just a got a little tougher for Coach McElwain's offense. The Rams already had to overcome losing four offensive linemen to graduation, but will now have to replace the main horse running behind them as redshirt sophomore Kapri Bibbs announced he will take his chances in the NFL after just one season in Fort Collins.
To my ram fans and Colorado people I am officially joining the 2014 NFL Draft
— Kingbibbs#5 (@KapriBibbs) December 29, 2013
The announcement is a fitting finish to a remarkable story for Bibbs. After setting all sorts of high school records in Illinois, Bibbs committed to the Rams under former Coach Steve Fairchild despite offers from several BCS schools. Unfortunately, low ACT scores prevented him from qualifying for NCAA eligibility and he decided to attend junior college to continue playing football. Bibbs had modest production at Snow College in Utah, he only rushed for 415 yards in one season, but was still garnering interest from schools across the nation. Luckily for Colorado State, he remained true to his commitment, and after sitting out the 2012 season waiting to clear with the NCAA, he finally joined the Rams for spring ball in the 2013.
Through spring ball and fall camp, Bibbs showed his talent but was unable to move higher than third on the depth chart going into the season. Many predicted he would be an effective momentum changer, providing a couple rushes a game, but few predicted where he would be at the end of the season.
Despite only averaging 11 carries in his first six games, Bibbs leads all of FBS football with 31 rushing touchdowns and is 12th in rushing yards per game. Bibbs caught national attention over a two game span against Nevada and New Mexico in which he rushed for an astonishing 603 yards and 10 touchdowns.
With a 169 yard performance against Washington State in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, Bibbs capped off the season by setting a new single-season rushing record at Colorado State with 1,741 yards. But that is not the only CSU record he owns. Bibbs also holds the season record in rushing touchdowns (31), total touchdowns (31), and total points (180), the best single game rushing performance with 312 yards, and is second in career rushing touchdowns despite only playing one season.
In a draft devoid of major talent at running back, Bibbs will have a good chance to creep up draft boards approaching NFL Draft weekend, especially considering the low mileage on his legs. Because he was not expected to leave school after the season, most mock drafts do not have him projected to be drafted. Bibbs will join fellow teammates Shaq Barrett, Weston Richburg, and Jared Biard in pursuit of getting their names called on draft day.
With Bibbs now gone and senior Chris Nwoke graduating, the starting job is junior Donnell Alexander's to lose. Alexander rushed for 587 yards last year while splitting carries with Nwoke, and began this season as the starter before getting injured early in the season. He has had issues staying healthy, and will need to do so next season with redshirt freshman Bryce Peters pushing for a starting role. Peters was one of the biggest commits in the 2013 class and should provide a nice 1-2 punch with Alexander.
