DT Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M

6’3” – 288 lbs. – 4.95
Recorded eight tackles as a reserve during his freshman season, then started the last nine games of his sophomore season, finishing with a 37-7.0-4.0 line. Retained his starting job over the two subsequent seasons to conclude his career, posting 54-2.5-1.0 and 51-11.0-7.5. Thickly-built lineman who spent this past season playing as a five-technique on the end of A&M’s three-man defensive fronts; also has excellent length with 34.5” arms. Slow reaction to the ball being snapped; frequently the last player off the line of scrimmage. However, once he gets going, looks like a talented player with a good combination of power and suddenness. Has a strong bull-rush with good leg drive to generate push as a two-gapper, resetting the line of scrimmage. Not strictly a one-trick pony, with a nice-looking swim move that he works into his game from time to time to penetrate. Flashes a violent spin move (see sack against North Carolina St. this past year). Light on his feet, with pretty strong hands to shed blockers (if not the most active). Was asked to slide inside on some obvious passing downs to create pressure from the outside. In pursuit, redirects well and looks like a pretty good athlete in space for his size to force quarterbacks out of the pocket and chase them toward the sidelines. When he’s not able to reach the quarterback, is pretty consistent about getting his hands up to contest passing lanes. Instincts aren’t where you’d think they’d be given his extensive starting experience. Has some trouble locating; gets fooled too often by misdirection and flows in the wrong direction or gets washed down the line of scrimmage. Would like to see him set a harder edge instead of going horizontal and creating gaps for opposing running backs. Looks better when he’s able to get aggressive than he does digging in near the line of scrimmage; can also be ground down by double-teams. Effort level waxes and wanes. Was able to put himself back on the map this past season after a relatively unproductive junior year and will attract some interest because of his combination of size, strength, and suddenness, but there are enough holes in his game regarding his ability to locate, his discipline in run fits, and his motor to cause him to slip into the third day of the draft.