6’2” – 238 lbs. – 4.65e
Profile:
- Barely played over four games as a true freshman, then redshirted the following year. Started four of thirteen games in 2015 but posted some impressive statistics, then started seven games as a redshirt junior before sustaining a season-ending pectoral injury. Didn’t play this past season after injuring his knee.
Positives:
- Plays the middle linebacker position with intensity and aggression. Pretty explosive athlete who gets up to speed quickly. Does a good job of anticipating the snap count and playing downhill. Loves to come up and support the run. Despite just adequate size, can get under an opposing lineman’s pads and walk them back with his bull rush. Does a good job of using his hands to slip blockers. Able to skinny through gaps in the line. Capable of chasing ballcarriers out to the sidelines and making tackles near the boundaries. Explodes into contact, with long arms and wrap tackling technique; good closing burst. Can blitz the A-gap and close on opposing quarterbacks. Has the movement skills to drop into zone coverage, with pretty good footwork and range. Good temperament for special teams.
Negatives:
- Requires a good deal of projection based on a limited sample size of work which came before he sustained two major injuries. Recorded only eleven collegiate starts, in large part because of injuries which will raise serious medical flags; teams will need to evaluate him having not seen him play since midway through his junior year. Wasn’t able to get in a workout at the Combine. Size and bulk are adequate but not ideal. Can lose track of opponents when working in zone coverage; looks more comfortable when flying in to disrupt rushing attempts between the tackles.
Summary:
- The latest interesting linebacker prospect produced by the Wisconsin program. Has some very interesting tape; seems to have a preternatural feel for when the ball is going to be snapped, and does an excellent job of charging up to the line of scrimmage just in time. Has the athleticism to drop into zone coverage or play sideline-to-sideline in the run game, and does a good job of using his length and movement skills to chase down ballcarriers. Would have probably been on track for a second-day selection before his pectoral and knee injuries, but it would be surprising if he slipped further than the mid-rounds. Has starting traits.
DRAFTEXAMINER 