NFL scouts, coaches and general manag-ers are not easily impressed. Just ask 2012 alumnus Nate Eachus, who finished his Col-gate career with 4,485 yards rushing and 53 touchdowns, both ranking third all-time in Colgate history. The standout running back was also named a Walter Payton Award fi-nalist and Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year during his junior season.

Unfortunately, last season Eachus saw limited game experience due to head and pelvis injuries, potentially damaging his draft stock. Despite the statistics and ac-colades, his r?esum?e was not enough to en-tice any NFL team to select Eachus during April’s draft.

Despite not being drafted, Eachus was able to earn an opportunity to play for a roster spot when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him as an undrafted free agent. The native of Drums, Pennsylvania made the most of his chance, and showcased his talent during the Chiefs’ training camp and preseason.

“What people didn’t know about him is that he’s fast. You don’t think of him being fast because he’s 210 pounds…when we had pro scouts look at him on tape, he ran close to a 4.5 [40-yard dash]. That’s where people said ‘wow,'” head coach Dick Biddle said.

He carried the ball 34 times for 206 yards, third-best in the NFL, and one touchdown; he also made an impact on special teams with several highlight reel blocks. After Eachus’s stellar performance against the Seahawks in week three of the preseason, in which he rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown, the Chiefs’ coaching staff and management couldn’t help but be im-pressed. Head coach Romeo Crennel even remarked, “maybe I should have played that No.45 more.”

Now, Crennel will certainly have the opportunity to play the 5’10”, 212-pound running back more, as Eachus made the final Chiefs roster and has appeared in all three of the team’s opening games. The Col-gate alumnus has become a fan favorite by continuing to work hard and perform well as the NFL season progresses. Eachus is currently Chiefs’ starting fullback and also contributes on special teams.

Seeing Eachus take the majority of his snaps at fullback and on special teams may seem a bit odd to Colgate fans used to seeing him featured in the offense. Don’t fret – the Colgate alumnus is comfortable anywhere.

“He can give you 8-9 carries a game… He’ll do the dirty work, he’ll do the block-ing, he’ll do the pass protection, he’ll get the check down routes and whatever, that’s probably why he made it, because he can do a lot of things,” Biddle said.

Eachus began his Colgate career in 2008 as a linebacker before being moved to run-ning back to replace starter Jordan Scott in a game against Cornell. In that game, he ran for 241 yards in a little over two quarters to go along with three tackles.

“He blossomed from there…Nate carried us all the way through the season,” Biddle said. If his time at Colgate is any indication, Nate Eachus will find a way to make big plays wherever the Chiefs need him.

Contact Andrew Vojt at [email protected] and Travis Basciotta at [email protected]