Wayne Gallman (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

It looked as though the Giants were entering the 2017 season without a true powerback. That changed on Saturday afternoon, as Big Blue selected Clemson running back Wayne Gallman.

In his three seasons at Clemson, Gallman rushed for 3,429 yards (3^rd in school history) and 34 touchdowns (5^th in school history). In 2015, Gallman broke Raymond Priester’s single-season school record for rushing yards. Not only that, but in 2016, Gallman also broke Priester’s career record for 100 yard rushing games with 17. In his time at Clemson, Gallman appeared in back to back National Championship games, where he won in 2017.

Gallman has quite the honors throughout his Clemson career. While playing for the Tigers, Gallman was named co-recipient of Clemson Offensive MVP along with newly-drafted Houston Texan Deshaun Watson. Not only that, Gallman was named to 2015 First-team All-ACC and 2016 Second-team All-ACC, as well as a 2016 Strength & Conditioning All-American.

Gallman is the epitome of a powerback, but also shows the quickness needed to run effectively. At six-feet, 215 lbs., Gallman is known to create damage with his shoulders against opposing defenders. Gallman is the perfect choice for short yard and goal line situations. That perfectly describes a Giants running back.

“It was a shock,” said Gallman. “I’m just sitting here waiting and I heard that phone call. I just couldn’t wait to pick it up. I’m just glad to get that call.”

Gallman will work as a complement for Paul Perkins, who is the penciled in starter. Perkins is the speedster of the running back troop. Vereen serves as the veteran back who is the pass catching option in the backfield. All that was missing was a strong force option behind the offensive line, and Gallman fits that bill.

“Young kid, tough, kind of linear for a running back,” said Giants general manager Jerry Reese. “Tall for a running back. I think he’s a little bit over six foot, maybe just six foot. He looks taller when you think about running backs.”

“…he comes from a winning program, had a tremendous interview and provides a spark and change of pace,” said Giants head coach Ben McAdoo. “He has a lot of upside… Different type of player. He is a little longer type player. He has some speed and we feel like he has some upside in the pass game.”

It is unknown if the drafting of Gallman would prevent the Giants from going after free agent running back LaGarrette Blount, who reportedly has mutual interest with the team. However, Gallman does give the Giants an option for the future. Gallman is willing to adjust his game, whether it’s rushing, pass-catching, or pass-blocking. There’s nothing better than a player who can do just about anything to help out the team.

“I’m a hard, physical runner,” said Gallman. “I believe I have all the aspects in the running game that a running back is supposed to have. I have speed, power, whatever a team needs to get that extra yard.”