DT Renell Wren, Arizona St.

6’5” – 318 lbs. – 5.01
Was actually a 230-pound weakside defensive end recruit in high school. Redshirted, then appeared in four games as a freshman. Rotated into the defense over the following two seasons, totaling a combined 37-9.0-2.0 over that span. Became more of a full-time starter as a senior and went 43-4.5.1.0 to conclude his collegiate career. Massive defensive lineman with an excellent combination of size, bulk, and length; really looks the part. Was usually playing as a zero-technique nose tackle in the team’s odd base defense, although he also played some one-technique when they went with four down linemen. Offers plenty of brute force. Surprisingly explosive off the line, with good ability to anticipate/react to the ball being snapped. Is able to convert that explosiveness into power to walk back opposing linemen with his bull-rush, keeping his legs churning to reset the line of scrimmage. Arm extension is a little bit inconsistent. Capable of anchoring at the line of scrimmage and functioning as a read-and-react player. Has heavy hands to ragdoll blockers. However, tends to stand up instead of firing out, and pad level is too high as a result; was able to compensate with pure size and strength at the college level but as a very tall nose tackle, could become an issue at the pro level. Could stand to improve awareness of the ballcarrier while engaged. Plays with a high motor. However, as his (lack of) production indicates, isn’t a very dynamic pass-rusher despite his above-average athleticism. Can be a handful with his bull-rush, driving back centers like blocking sleds, but is more likely to create congestion in the pocket than find clear lanes to the passer. Comes from a team with two-gap principles, so there wasn’t a lot of gap-shooting on tape, and he uses a straightforward power-based approach on passing downs. Willing to give some pursuit toward the sidelines on screens. Still a very raw prospect who has a straightforward approach to the game, but comes with pro-ready size and strength and should be a highly sought-after commodity for odd defensive fronts with two-gap principles. Pro projection might be interesting, as he played the nose in college but his frame might be better-suited to a five-technique defensive end in those schemes. Looks like a solid candidate to come off the board on the draft’s second day.