6’5” – 255 lbs. – 4.66
Redshirted, then rotated in to the tune of 35-5.5-1.5 the following year. Broke out as a redshirt sophomore with a 57-16.5-11.0 line, then followed that up with 70-19.0-7.5, forcing four fumbles in each of the final two seasons before declaring for the draft. Lined up at left end, often from wide alignments to facilitate getting after the passer. Has impressive height and solid bulk for an edge defender, with decent length, arms measuring just under 33” in Indianapolis. Very good athlete who ran well, timed a 6.89 in the cone drill, and put together a 36” vertical leap. Was a productive pass-rusher in college, in large part because he regularly mixes up his approach when rushing, relying mostly on his suddenness at the line of scrimmage and on his hand use; not just a pure speed-rusher. Flashes a quick, violent spin which is worth developing further. Would like to see him get more consistent extension with his hands, however; will run stunts/twists and use his body to engage interior offensive linemen with predictable results. Too many snaps in which he’s easily handled by a skill position player who’s been retained in protection. Not the stoutest run defender. Has a rush-first mentality which can lead to him giving up the edge, either by getting too much depth on his speed rush or by trying to knife inside and get penetration. Still growing into his frame and doesn’t have the most physical approach, preferring to use his hands and suddenness to get past opponents instead of holding the point of attack or using his bull-rush to try and reset the line of scrimmage. Often comes out of his stance and pops straight up, losing the leverage battle as soon as the play begins. Does have the length and raw athleticism to potentially develop into a solid run defender with time, and displays a pretty good motor in pursuit. A prospect who is favored by statistical formulas designed to spit out desirable prospects on the basis of his size and athletic testing, but who also demonstrates enough creativity and variety as a pass-rusher to interest teams on the basis of what he puts on tape alone. Would like to see him play with more physicality and toughness in the run game, and he will need to continue to grow into his frame, but looks like one of the better mid-round rushers and could sneak up even higher than that.
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