Absorbing the nuances of his first NFL playbook hasn't been difficult for Ravens undrafted rookie running back Terrence Magee.
Magee has a lot of previous knowledge about offensive coordinator Marc Trestman's schemes, which were mirrored by LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, a former Ravens offensive coordinator.
"We ran kind of a dummied-down version of it," Magee said. "It's pretty much the same stuff. Some of the terminology is pretty much the same."
Magee operated in a versatile role for the LSU Tigers, lining up at running back, wide receiver and returning kicks. A high school quarterback, Magee even completed a 44-yard pass in a game against Mississippi State.
He is hoping to provide similar versatility for the Ravens after agreeing to a three-year contract, which includes a $3,000 signing bonus, as an undrafted free agent.
"I'm an all-around back and my biggest attribute is my ability to play on third downs and protect the quarterback and win matchups with linebackers," Magee said. "I have all-around skills."
Magee chose the Ravens over the Atlanta Falcons and several other teams after talking with running backs coach Thomas Hammock. He rushed for 1,330 career rushing yards and a dozen touchdowns.
"I was very excited to go to the Ravens," Magee said. "I was kind of unsure where I was going to go, but, after talking it over with my agent and talking to coach Hammock, that was the best fit for me."
The 5-foot-9, 217-pound back ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds and had a 37-inch vertical leap. He bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times. Magee rushed for 571 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.
Magee couldn't run the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine because of a strained hamstring suffered during the East-West Shrine all-star game.
At LSU, Magee split time with several other running backs. Last season, he was a backup to freshman standout Leonard Fournette.
"When I first got there, we had six backs out there fighting for reps," Magee said. "I looked at it as a bad thing at first, but now I see that I don't have a lot of mileage on my body like a lot of other guys do."
Magee led the team's running backs with 17 catches last season. He had 24 career receptions for 271 yards. He rushed for a career-high 149 yards on 13 carries in a win over Texas A&M as a junior.
As a junior, he rushed for 626 yards and eight touchdowns after moving from wide receiver.
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"Playing wide receiver taught me a lot," Magee said. "I learned about reading coverage and catching the ball and route running. It helps me a lot at running back."
In high school, Magee passed for 2,634 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior and rushed for 1,370 yards and 19 touchdowns.
"I miss playing quarterback all the time, but I love playing running back now," Magee said. "I'm having fun with it all."
Magee says he's determined to prove he's physically and intellectually up to the task at hand.
"I just want to show them how quick I can process the information and execute it on the field," Magee said. "That's a big thing. They're throwing a lot at you. They expect you to make mistakes. I want to go out there and play perfect."