6’5” – 255 lbs. – 4.69
Rotated into the defense as an outside linebacker in his freshman season, ending up with 25-7.0-5.5. Took over a starting job at the position the following year posting 68-13.0-5.5. Was limited to just four games due to various injuries as a junior but still managed three sacks. Ended up playing in just six games as a senior but managed 28-10.0-7.5. Has a good combination of height and length for an edge defender, with arms which measured 33” in Indianapolis; body is high cut and still a little bit gangly, could probably fit another ten pounds on. Stands up on the end of the Trojans’ defensive front as a rush linebacker; didn’t really see him taking snaps with his hand in the dirt during the games reviewed. Has the tools to develop into a solid run defender. Not overwhelmingly powerful, but gets good extension with his arms and is active with his hands to attack blockers. Good patience when working in backside contain. Athletic enough to flow to the ball on sweeps and stretch runs. Good closing speed and a wide radius to make tackles when he finds a clear lane. Not the most refined pass-rusher, but demonstrates a good motor and sense of urgency. Has enough explosiveness and straight-line speed to get depth off the snap and then try to redirect back to the passer, and bends a pretty smooth arc, although often too deep. Flashes the ability to use his hands to set up and ragdoll opposing tackles, and has some ability to convert speed to power. Does a good job on stunts/twists, which are well-suited to his athletic profile. As in the run game, has a good closing burst to finish his rushes. Wasn’t used as much in coverage despite playing outside linebacker; almost exclusively a downhill player at the college level. Major question is his durability, having appeared in just ten games over the past two seasons; Combine medicals were more important for his stock than the workouts themselves, in which he performed pretty well. However, if teams are satisfied that his injury history represented a string of bad luck that won’t affect him going forward, looks like a solid bet to come off the board by the mid-rounds, as he offers an impressive combination of size, length, and athletic ability which allowed him to produce at a high level when he was on the field. May have a bit of an adjustment period where he fills out his frame a bit more and adjusts to working in coverage.
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