Summary

Isaac Guerendo was selected in Round 4 (#129 Overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of the University of Louisville, after beginning his collegiate career at Wisconsin. At Louisville in 2023, Guerendo broke out as the lead back, rushing for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 carries (6.1 YPC) while adding receiving production and explosive-play value. While his overall career workload was modest due to earlier injuries and committee usage, his efficiency and big-play ability stood out. Guerendo is widely regarded as a high-character, hard-working, team-oriented player whose perseverance through injuries and transfers reflects resilience, coachability, and professionalism.

Strengths

• Elite Speed/Size Profile: Rare combination of mass and long speed and provides a legitimate breakaway threat once he reaches the second level.

• One-Cut Explosiveness: Thrives in zone concepts where he can plant and accelerate vertically allowing him turn routine carries into explosive gains.

• Downhill Power: Runs with good pad level and force and is capable of finishing runs and punishing defenders in space.

• Competitive Toughness: Runs with urgency and intensity and shows willingness to attack contact rather than avoid it.

Weaknesses

• Limited Vision Consistency: Guerendo is so eager as a one-cut runner that he can miss cutback lanes or press runs too quickly and is still developing patience behind the line.

• Pass Protection: Technique and recognition in blitz pickup are works in progress, limiting his effectiveness on third downs.

• Receiving Refinement: Functional hands, but route tree and polish as a pass catcher are limited, one again limiting his effectiveness on third downs.

• Durability History: Past injuries and limited collegiate workload raise questions about long-term durability.

Outlook

Isaac Guerendo is best suited for zone-based rushing offenses that prioritize decisiveness, vertical burst, and explosive plays, making his fit with San Francisco particularly strong. In Kyle Shanahan’s system, Guerendo profiles as a change-of-pace and rotational back who can stress defenses horizontally before exploding upfield, while also contributing on special teams early in his career. His speed forces defenses to maintain gap discipline, opening space for other playmakers. Looking ahead, Guerendo’s outlook hinges on continued development in vision, pass protection, and receiving reliability. If those areas improve, his physical tools give him the upside to become a high-impact rotational back or spot starter capable of delivering explosive runs in limited touches. While he may never be a volume workhorse, his rare athletic profile and scheme fit give him legitimate upside as a big-play weapon in a modern NFL offense.