6’4” – 308 lbs. – 5.21
Profile:
- Played sparingly as a reserve in 2014, then injured his knee in the season opener and missed the subsequent season. Took over as a full-time starter the following year, and put together two highly productive seasons to conclude his career, declaring early for the draft after picking up over one hundred tackles as a junior. Played nose tackle in both three and four-man defensive fronts and projects there at the next level as well.
Positives:
- Has a big, thick build with long arms (just under 34”) and massive hands (nearly 10.5”). Calling card is his run defense; recorded a lot of stops at the college level. Able to extend his arms and play a two-gap, read-and-react game, and also has enough quickness off the line to skinny through gaps and create disruption. Able to dig in and anchor at the line of scrimmage. Excellent combination of strength and technique; was often able to do what he wanted against single blockers. Put up forty-two reps on the bench in Indianapolis, and has an amateur wrestling background. Can jolt opponents on contact and make himself a handful when he’s doubled. Length gives him a good tackling radius; flashes the ability to make tackles while engaged. Gets his hands up to contest passing lanes, and had impressive sack production for his size. High-character, high-motor player.
Negatives:
- Get-off at the snap is a little bit inconsistent. Can lapse into letting defenders into his pads at times; also somewhat taller than teams like their nose tackles to be. Makes questionable reads more often than you’d think given his tackle output. Not as dynamic a pass-rusher as his production would indicate; more powerful than explosive, and primary value may be in occupying blockers to create opportunities for teammates. Effort rusher instead of a freakish athlete; doesn’t really have special burst.
Summary:
- Outstanding production, size, and strength should make him a highly sought-after commodity, although he’s not quite as explosive or dynamic as his numbers would suggest. Has the ability to one-gap or two-gap, but would be best-suited to the latter capacity. Could play in either sort of defensive front and may not always have to come off the field on passing downs. Consequently, looks like a second or third-round pick.
DRAFTEXAMINER 