Barika Kpeenu

NFL Draft Profile: Barika Kpeenu

Position: Running Back | School: North Dakota State | Class: Senior

Height: 5'10" | Weight: 213 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back / Power Hybrid

College Career Summary

Barika Kpeenu leaves North Dakota State as one of the most productive backs in recent Bison history, carrying the torch of the program's legendary power-running lineage. After redshirting in 2021 and seeing rotational work early on, Kpeenu exploded in 2024 and 2025. His senior campaign in 2025 was a masterpiece of efficiency and red-zone dominance, as he led the FCS top-ranked Bison to an undefeated regular season before a narrow playoff exit.

Kpeenu finished 2025 with 1,005 rushing yards and tied the 6th-most rushing touchdowns in a single season in NDSU history with 20 scores. Known for a compact, violent running style, he became the ultimate "closer" for an offense that averaged over 41 points per game. He enters the NFL draft process as a highly-decorated FCS prospect with a reputation for consistency and high-level processing.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Rushing: 191 Carries, 1,005 Yds, 20 TD (5.3 avg)

• Receiving: 15 Receptions, 172 Yds, 1 TD

• Career High (2025): 21 total Touchdowns

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs The Citadel	12/79/2	A	Statement Start. Efficient; showed great burst on TD runs.
2	@ Tennessee St	14/85/1	B+	Handled a hostile environment; consistent positive yardage.
4	vs Towson	11/62/2	A-	Red-zone weapon; converted every short-yardage attempt.
6	@ Illinois St	13/74/1	A-	Huge win; showcased "Bison Power" on late-game clock kills.
7	@ Indiana St	23/113/2	A+	The Apex. Career-high carries; overcame rain to dominate.
8	vs South Dakota	15/68/1	B	Physical, downhill running; wore out the Coyotes.
9	@ #2 S. Dak. St	16/71/1	A-	Marker Game. Produced against elite FCS talent; high IQ.
10	vs Murray St	12/82/2	A	Explosive efficiency; two scores in the first half.
11	@ Youngstown St	15/88/3	A+	Hat Trick. Completely took over the game in the trenches.
12	vs Northern Iowa	18/104/2	A	Back-to-back 100-yard performances; peak health.
13	vs St. Thomas	15/115/2	A+	Finale. Career-long 74-yard TD; caught first receiving TD.
PO	vs Illinois St	17/64/1	B-	Gritty effort in a loss; found little room against the upset.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Leadership: Team captain; praised as a focal point of the NDSU locker room culture.

• Mental Toughness: Thrives in the cold and adverse weather (see Indiana State game).

• Competitor: Determined runner who refuses to be brought down by a single defender.

• Star Power: The heartbeat of the NDSU ground game; high-impact on every short-yardage snap.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Height/Weight: 5'10", 213 lbs. (Meets Height and Weight targets; pro-typical frame).

• Stamina: High; handled heavy volume late in the season without a drop in efficiency.

• Durability: Played nearly every game of his collegiate career; built like a tank.

• Injury History: Clean medical bill; extremely reliable durability in a high-contact role.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Ball Security: Excellent. Very few fumbles across hundreds of career carries.

• Vision: Elite. Masters the "patient" run-style required in NDSU's gap-scheme.

• Contact Balance: Exceptional. Stays on his feet after initial contact with lower-body drive.

• Catching: Reliable. Hands are natural, though usage in the pass game was secondary.

• Pass Block: Above Average. Willing and capable of stoning blitzing LBs.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 87/100

• Speed: Functional speed. Showed "home run" gear with a 74-yard score but isn't a 4.3 burner.

• Agility: Solid; uses "micro-cuts" to find creases in tight traffic.

• Change of Direction: Good one-cut ability; gets downhill instantly.

• Acceleration: Sudden; reaches top speed quickly for a 213-pounder.

• Break Tackle: Strength. Uses raw power and leg drive to punish defenders.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Awareness: High processing speed; excellent at diagnosing second-level flow.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Pro-ready frame and weight; elite red-zone nose for the end zone (20 TDs); high-level processing and vision; "FCS-tested" in a professional gap-run scheme.

• Weaknesses: Lacks elite "long-speed" for the NFL level; limited exposure as a high-volume receiver; jump from FCS to NFL pace will be the primary adjustment.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Power/Gap scheme or a team needing a "short-yardage/closer" (e.g., Giants, Ravens, Steelers).

• NFL Comparison: Isiah Pacheco (size/violence) / Gus Edwards.

Scout's Final Word

"Barika Kpeenu is exactly what you expect from an NDSU back: tough, disciplined, and efficient. He doesn't dance in the hole; he hits it with bad intentions. While he might not be a RB1 on day one, his ability to protect the QB and his nose for the end zone make him an ideal rotational piece for a physical offense. He is a high-floor prospect who will be a special teams ace and a goal-line terror. Projected: Round 5–6."