6’0″ – 230 lbs. – 4.77
Played in all twelve games as a freshman, rotating heavily into the defense. Started one of eleven games the following year and saw his production escalate, then spent the following two seasons as a full-time starter, earning All-American honors as a junior and first team all-conference honors as a senior. Two-time team captain and emotional leader of the defense. Predominantly a weakside linebacker and projects best there at the next level as well, although he takes some snaps from the middle. Size is on the borderline of what’s acceptable for his position, so Combine measurements will be important. Has a very likable game with excellent athleticism and an excellent motor. Heat-seeking missile who diagnoses quickly and flies around the field; seemingly always around the ball. Loves to pin his ears back and play downhill; makes a ton of plays in the backfield. Very fast in a straight line, with impressive ability to plant and drive. Quickness and active hands allow him to play off of blocks better than is typical for a player with his size; willing to mix it up with opponents. However, gaudy tackling statistics are more a testament to his instincts and athleticism than to his tackling ability; lack of length limits his radius, and lets some ballcarriers slip through his grasp. Makes a lot of shoestring tackles. Run fits leave something to be desired at times. An every-down player who can do a little bit of everything on passing downs. Athleticism allows him to work in man or zone coverage; can carry running backs out of the backfield or even work against slot receivers. Exhibits fluid hips when covering opponents over the middle of the field in man coverage. Eagerness to come up and play the run can sometimes cause him to bite on play fakes. Probably not big enough to cover opposing inline tight ends. Effective pass-rusher who uses his explosiveness and hands to penetrate into the backfield; recorded thirteen sacks over the past two seasons. Closes very quickly when operating as a spy and given a clear path to the passer. Has a very appealing combination of instincts, athleticism, versatility, and intangibles which should allow him to play in sub packages and as a weakside linebacker behind a four-man defensive line despite his lack of ideal size.
DRAFTEXAMINER 