Alvin Kamara sees best days still ahead with NFL workload

Alvin Kamara has plenty of tread on his tires.

Or — to take the automotive metaphor in another direction — the former University of Tennessee tailback still has that "fresh, new car smell," as he told USA TODAY Sports last week.

That's certainly the positive spin for Kamara, who never had more than 18 carries in a game during his two years in Knoxville and totaled 210 attempts (for 1,294 yards) and 74 receptions (for 683 yards) during his college career.

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The other running backs at the top of this year's NFL draft pecking order enter the league with far more mileage on their respective odometers. LSU's Leonard Fournette averaged more than 200 carries over three seasons and had at least 25 in 10 games. Dalvin Cook piled up 766 career touches (and shoulder issues) on his way to becoming Florida State's all-time leading rusher. Christian McCaffrey was the focal point of Stanford's offense and also a special teams workhorse, amassing nearly 7,000 all-purpose yards and the wear and tear that came with them.

Content to be part of a committee at Tennessee, Kamara is now ready to be utilized extensively even if some question whether he's capable of such a burden.

"I don't really think it's an issue," he said. "A lot of people ask if I'll be able to handle the workload. I'm ready. I work. They'll see."

Like McCaffrey, Kamara (5-10, 214 pounds) is comfortable as a runner, receiver and punt returner. His burst and strength will likely land him somewhere between the back end of the first round and middle of the second.

And he won't complain regardless of whatever job(s) his next team prefers he fill.

"I love playing football, so as much as I can be on the field, that's my favorite (role)," he said. "I think I'm a four-down back."

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Kamara has already met with the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles and says he'll soon pay a visit to the Carolina Panthers.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay told USA TODAY Sports he doesn't believe any teams will question why Kamara didn't play more snaps in college.

"Big picture, it's probably more of an asset because you know the ability is there," he said. "There may be a couple bumps in the road with Kamara just in terms of learning and improving his technique in pass protection. But he's tough, man.

"For a guy who's not the biggest back, he'll stick his nose in there. He catches the ball extremely well, and his explosiveness just jumps off the tape."

It won't be much longer until Kamara gets the shot to prove he can consistently showcase that talent.

"Just checking the to-do list now," he laughed. "Combine — done. Pro day — done. Just got a little bit more to check off. We're almost there."

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Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

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