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The Oregon State Beavers started to show major signs of improvements in the second half of the 2017 season. A lot of this happened thanks to the big leap Ryan Nall took from October onward. Nall logged four games of over 120 yards rushing, putting up 10 touchdowns in those games. Oregon State went 3-1 in those games and the lone loss came by four points.
Nall appears like he’ll be quite a pain for Pac-12 defenses this season and could be the most important player for Oregon State if they’re to take another leap forward. Nall was the most elusive running back in the Pac-12 according to Pro Football Focus’s college arm.
Oregon State's Ryan Nall edged out the competition with his elusiveness - and he heads into 2017 as the Pac-12's most elusive returning RB. pic.twitter.com/9ETVhEiebk
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) July 3, 2017
Defenders missed 47 tackles trying to bring down Nall last season, tied with Royce Freeman and second in the Pac-12 only to Phillip Lindsay.
Phillip Lindsay returns in 2017 as the Pac-12's leader in most missed tackles forced on run plays.
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) June 3, 2017
Ready to pace @RunRalphieRun this year. pic.twitter.com/kwhxl21AKS
Nall is quite the conundrum for Pac-12 defenses. He’s shaped like a halfback but runs like a tailback. Given the chance against smaller defenses like Cal and Oregon and Arizona, he shredded them at the point of attack.