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6:39 p.m. - Sam Houston State running back Timothy Flanders says he's signed with the Saints via his Twitter account.

RB TIMOTHY FLANDERSSAM
HOUSTON ST. SOUTHLAND

COMBINE RESULTS

4.75 SEC
20 REPS
32.0 INCH
113.0 INCH
7.07 SEC

5'9"
HEIGHT

30 1/4"
ARM LENGTH

207LBS.
WEIGHT

9 1/4"
HANDS

OVERVIEW
His younger brother, James, is a running back for Tulsa. His older brother, John, was a defensive back and four-year letterman for Tulsa. Oklahoma prep who rushed for 2,134 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior. Initially went to Kansas State in 2009 but transferred after one redshirt year in order to see more playing time. Walked on at Sam Houston State during the summer of 2010 and soon became the team’s starter. Went on to lead the Southland Conference in rushing as a freshman, starting 10 games and rushing 172 times for 948 yards (5.5-yard average) and 13 touchdowns with 11 receptions for 24 yards (2.2) and no touchdowns. Missed one game with an undisclosed injury. Broke out in 2011, racking up 298 rushes for 1,644 yards (5.5) and 22 TDs and 34 catches for 414 yards (12.2) and two TDs in 15 starts. Had 2,058 all-purpose yards in earning conference player of the year honors. Rushed for 287 yards against Montana in the FCS semifinal game. Repeated as Southland Player of the Year in 2012, piling up 288 rushes for 1,642 yards (5.7) and 17 TDs and 13 catches for 128 yards (9.8) and one TD in 15 starts. Despite battling a nagging foot injury in 2013, he played in 14 games (13 starts) and rushed 241 times for 1,430 yards (5.9) and 14 TDs and had six catches for 63 yards (10.5) and one TD. Had a 280-yard performance against Eastern Washington and a 170-yard, two-TD game against Texas A&M. The three-time Walter Payton Award finalist became the first Sam Houston player to earn first-team all-league honors four times. Was the first Southland Conference running back to gain more than 5,000 yards and score more than 400 points and holds school records in rushing yards (5,664), carries (999), all-purpose yards (6,293), touchdowns (70) and 100-yard games (30). Finished his career in the FCS all-time top 10 in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and scoring.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Thickly built with a low center of gravity. Good run vision and patience allowing holes to develop. Drives his legs on contact. Rose to the occasion vs. better competition (see Texas A&M). Very durable. Dedicated gym rat. Very gregarious, well-respected personality.

WEAKNESSES
Has very small hands. Had 999 college carries and took a lot of hits. Average creativity -- not dynamic and does not string moves together. Lacks top-end speed to pull away from the pack. Not a powerful tackle-breaker and often goes down on initial contact (average yards after contact). Does not create his own hole. Will need work in pass protection.

DRAFT PROJECTION
Priority free agent

BOTTOM LINE
Tough, competitive, hard-nosed runner with the eyes, instincts and intangibles to earn a role. Has make-it qualities that could endear him to a coaching staff and add life to a locker room.