6’5” – 285 lbs.
Redshirted due to injury, then rotated into the defense the following year and posted 12-2.5-2.0. Started nine of twelve games played the following year, finishing with a line of 34-5.5-1.0. Has been a full-time starter for the past two seasons, going 36-7.5-5.5 as a junior and 41-6.0-2.5 as a senior as of the time of writing (late December). Tall and long-limbed defensive lineman who has added thirty-five pounds of bulk since his freshman season, which he played at 250 pounds; was at 270 as a sophomore. Lines up all over the defense, sometimes even playing out of a two-point stance on the edge, but more commonly as a defensive tackle or nose tackle on four-man lines. Predominantly plays a two-gap, read-and-react style of football in which he’s able to use his length to lock out blockers and locate the football. Plays with the requisite patience for a two-gap role, avoiding committing too early to a course of action. Overall anchor strength is very good for his size. Stays active with his hands and has enough power there to shed blocks at the appropriate time. Does have some balance issues which crop up occasionally, causing him to be put on skates. Not one of the most dangerous pass-rushers in the class. Scheme called for him to execute a lot of twists and stunts in an effort to locate clear lanes around the edge; awareness of viable approaches is pretty good. However, doesn’t play with a lot of explosiveness or suddenness, and tends to get mirrored pretty easily by opposing offensive linemen. Relies pretty heavily on his bull-rush as the primary rush move, but plays a little bit high and doesn’t overwhelm blockers with power. Could use some more sand in his pants to avoid being knocked off-balance by the shoves of opposing linemen as he passes. Closing burst is average. Does a good job of getting his hands up to contest passing lanes, and demonstrates an adequate motor as a rusher. Generally speaking, defensive line candidates in his size range tend to be penetrators who struggle to hold the point of attack in the run game; however, this is a prospect who looks good extending his arms and holding the point as a two-gap run stuffer, but who lacks the explosiveness and refinement to create much pressure in the passing game. If he can add a little bit more bulk, may make the most sense playing five-technique in a two-gap odd front.
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