http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1137461
Overview
NFL evaluators are struggling to project McCluster at just one position. That's the same problem Southeastern Conference coaches had the last two years while affording him All-SEC honors as both a running back and wide receiver. Even NFL scouts have had a hard time projecting him at one position. He's viewed by some as a change of pace type of tailback in the Darren Sproles (Chargers) mold. Others see him developing into a slot receiver.
No matter where he lines up on the field, McCluster proved during his college career was defenses had to account for him at all times. He dazzled talent evaluators with his performances during the week of practices leading up to the Senior Bowl.
The all-around threat seems to have no preference for where he plays became the second-ranked all-purpose yardage performer with 4,089 yards -- only Deuce McAllister's 4,889 yards (1997-2000) stood in his way of capturing that school record.
McCluster has been an invaluable performer for the schools revived program. He joined Hall of Famer, Southern Methodist's Doak Walker (1948-49) as the only players to earn consecutive Most Valuable Player honors for their performances in the prestigious Cotton Bowl Classic.
Despite starting just 28-of-40 games at Ole Miss, he closed out his career as the school's eighth-leading receiver (130 catches), their seventh-best running back (1,955 yards) while also ranking 12th in receiving yardage (1,703) and tied for ninth in rushing touchdowns (15) in Ole Miss annals.
McCluster earned first-team All-State Class 5A honors from the Florida Sports Writers Association after helping lead Largo High School to the 2005 district title. He was named All-Suncoast Player of the Year by the St. Petersburg Times and selected Most Valuable Player of Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South Football All-Star Classic.
The all-purpose performer was also named Most Valuable Player and Best Back in the district. He was rated the No. 21 player in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel and also rated No. 54 at running back in the nation by Rivals.com. He rushed for 2,490 yards and 39 touchdowns, averaging 191.5 yards per game as a senior.
As a junior, McCluster amassed 1,424 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He was the recipient of the team's Iron Man Award for never missing a workout, despite tipping the scales at 150 pounds during his prep days. In addition to football, he also lettered in basketball and track. An Honor Roll student (2.8 GPA), he was a state qualifier in the long jump and high jump.
When McCluster first enrolled at Ole Miss, the coaches planned to red-shirt him, but his performance in fall camp forced the staff to change their minds. He would start five of the first six games of the 2006 season at flanker, but a concussion and a shoulder injury would sideline him for the rest of the year. He finished his freshman campaign with 232 yards and a touchdown on 15 catches (15.47-yard average), adding 68 yards and a score on eight carries (8.5-yard average) and 274 yards on 13 kickoff returns (21.08-yard average).
McCluster's shoulder problem would carry over into the 2007 season. He appeared in eight games, starting three at flanker, ranking fourth on the squad with 27 grabs for 326 yards (12.07-yard average) and two scores. He collected 63 yards on six rushing attempts and became more involved on special teams. He totaled two solo tackles while returning six kickoffs for 100 yards and six punts for 29 yards.
With the arrival of head coach Houston Nutt, the new staff decided to unleash McCluster in 2008. He would earn second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as an all-purpose back. He started eight times in thirteen games, lining up as a slot receiver, split end, tail-back and flanker, earning starting assignments at each position.
The SEC's seventh-leading all-purpose yardage performer, he collected a total of 1,280 yards that campaign. McCluster finished second on the team with 44 receptions for 625 yards (14.2 -yard average) and a score. He carried a team-high 105 times for 655 yards (6.01 -yard average) and six touchdowns. He even had an unsuccessful stint in the Wildcat formation, attempting five passes, but all they produced was a pair of interceptions.
As a senior, McCluster was the Running Back Trophy recipient at the College Football Performance Awards. The Associated Press All-American third-team and All-SEC second-team choice ranked 38th in the nation in rushing (89.92 yards per game), as his 1,169 yards on the ground (181 attempts) led the team and rank second on the school season-record list.
McCluster ran for eight touchdowns in 2009. He was hospitalized earlier in the year when a dozen Rebels came down with swine flu, but recovered enough to start five times at half-back and seven times at flanker. He again finished second on the squad with 44 catches, good for 520 yards (11.82-yard average) and three touchdowns. He totaled 1,717 all-purpose yards, the second-best season total in Ole Miss history.
Analysis
Release: Good lateral agility to elude the defender at the line and has the straight-line speed to demand respect. Though he's much stronger than his size would indicate, he's reliant upon his lateral agility to gain a clean release, as he is lacking in hand placement and technique as a receiver.
Hands: Good hands to pluck the ball outside of his frame. Can track the ball over his shoulder and is quick to secure the pass and look for additional yardage. Good making adjustments to poorly throw passes but struggles when attempting to catch in traffic.
Route running: Isn't asked to run a variety of pro-style routes within this offense. Flashes excellent quickness, but is only a marginal route-runner despite his athleticism.
After the catch: Elusive and has the acceleration and top-end speed to run away from defenders if he gets in the open field. Good vision and sets up his blocks nicely with the ability to burst through a small gap. Versatile threat capable of contributing as a runner, receiver and returner.
Blocking: Pesky blocker who provides good effort and is stronger than he looks but lacks great bulk. Gives good effort downfield to chip when a teammate breaks into the open.
Intangibles: Good toughness as an interior runner and will be viewed as a running back prospect by some. The results of McCluster's medical reports from the Combine could prove critical in his final draft grade. He missed six games in 2006 due to a shoulder injury involving nerve damage and another four games in 2007 due to re-injuring the same shoulder in the preseason. Has great toughness, but will struggle to hold up to the physical pounding of the NFL as a running back. Experienced punt and kick returner.
NFL Comparison: Sinorice Moss, Giants
And at the top of the page, this comparison:
04/26/2010 - A closer look at the Chiefs' picks: Round 2/36 -- Dexter McCluster, WR, 5-8, 165, Mississippi, A versatile offensive performer who can run, catch and even pass, McCluster will be very busy in Haley and Charlie Weis' offense -- think former Giants RB Dave Meggett as an example.
