6’4″ – 322 lbs.
Originally attended Oklahoma St., where he posted 16-2.5-0.5 as a true freshman, with a 15-1.0-0.0 line the following year and a 26-5.0-0.5 line as a junior. Only played in four games in 2018, then transferred to Nebraska and posted 34-3.5-1.5 to close out his career. Mammoth defensive lineman who plays nose tackle for the Cornhuskers, lining up at the zero technique on three-man lines and also playing the one-tech right defensive tackle position on four-man lines. Pretty high-motor player whose best quality is his ability to get extension to lock out blockers, with enough strength in his hands to shed. Despite his motor, is not one of the rangiest players and can also be slightly late to locate the ball, relegating him to more of a space-eating role. When he does locate, flashes the ability to use his length to make tackles while engaged. On plays in which he’s active with his hands, occasionally requires opposing offenses to double-team him, creating opportunities for teammates. Can sometimes get a little bit too cute; would like to see him fire out with explosiveness and attack blockers to reset the line of scrimmage rather than relying on activity to try and get around opponents; surprisingly inclined toward more finesse approaches. Gives up too much ground when flowing horizontally toward outside rushing attempts. Played a high number of snaps during one of the games reviewed, staying on the field for some passing downs, but may not be dynamic enough to do that sort of thing at the next level. Lacks explosiveness out of his stance, and tends to end up stuck on a block at the line of scrimmage. Flashed a swim move that allowed him to get penetration, but generally looks sluggish out of his stance, getting too high and lacking creativity. Not a threat to skinny through gaps. Some of the pressures he got came on designed stunts/twists which created open lanes for him, but lacks the type of closing burst to finish. Any major-program defensive tackle with his type of size is going to attract some attention from pro scouts, but unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a lot to his game at this point beyond size and effort. Has the potential to eventually compete for a rotational run-stuffer role, but needs to play with more physicality and technique in order to get there.
DRAFTEXAMINER 