INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts see Seth McGowan as a runner who shows up with one clear calling card: power.
At 223 pounds, the Kentucky back gives Indianapolis a different kind of presence in the backfield, one built on contact and toughness. Colts Midwest Area Scout Tyler Hughes put it plainly: “The first thing with Seth is you have to project his running style and the toughness that he brings, the size he has,”
McGowan’s final college season at Kentucky gave that profile some production to back it up. He scored 12 rushing touchdowns for the Wildcats.
For the Colts, the fit is easy to imagine. Behind Jonathan Taylor, the depth chart at running back is open, and McGowan could step into a meaningful role if opportunity breaks his way. He is also viewed as a complement to Taylor and second-year back DJ Giddens.
The expectation is that McGowan profiles as a true 1 st and 2 nd down option - a physical runner first, with the potential to help close out games later on. What he is not expected to be is a receiving threat out of the backfield.
There is also a roster angle here. Because McGowan did not bring much special teams experience from college, he would likely benefit from carving out a role there to help secure one of the Colts’ 53-man roster spots.
His path to the draft was shaped by a 2020 arrest at the University of Oklahoma, which contributed to his slide to Round 7. Hughes said the Colts did their homework on that part of McGowan’s background.
“We did our due diligence with,” Hughes says of the arrest. “Seth made an unfortunate decision early on in his career.
“He learned from it, and this kid was out of football for two years. His love of the game, never swayed, and this kid fought to get to where he is today.”
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