DE Jayson Oweh, Penn St.** (6’5”, 252)
Background:
Appeared in four games as a freshman before redshirting (4-2.0-2.0). Started one game as a redshirt freshman, appearing in thirteen overall and posting 21-5.0-5.0. Started seven games this past year, going 38-6.5-0.0 before declaring for the draft.
Positives:
Lines up on both ends of the line, typically as a seven-technique but sometimes further out. Well-built for a pro edge defender, with impressive height, length, and musculature. Overall work rate/temperament is very good; plays the game with intensity and physicality. Has impressive explosiveness and lateral quickness off the snap to knife into the B gap and generate pressure on inside moves in the run game. Gets good extension with his arms to lock out defenders, and is active with his hands to shed. Flashes the ability to discard blockers at the appropriate time and sling down ballcarriers, with his length giving him an impressive radius. Does a nice job of flowing horizontally to the ball. Has impressive speed in backside pursuit. Disciplined on the backside when given a free release. Has the ability to convert speed to power and walk offensive tackles back into the pocket. Flashes a violent spin counter. Considered one of the freakiest prospects in this year’s class from a physical/athletic standpoint.
Negatives:
Can lose track of opposing ballcarriers. Balance issues occasionally crop up in the run game; may be a little bit high-cut and gets caught bending at the waist a little bit. Will lapse into engaging with his body instead of locking out opponents. Struggles to navigate trash at times. Failed to record a sack during the 2020 season. Needs to further diversify his rush approach, adding more moves and mixing in more outside approaches to set up his inside move. Overly reliant on inside moves; despite his explosiveness, don’t see him winning with a speed rush, so it’s hard to evaluate his dip/bend. Was rarely asked to drop into coverage and rarely operated out of a two-point stance during the games reviewed; plays the end position regardless of whether the team has three or four down linemen, although odd fronts would be looking at him as an outside ‘backer.
Summary:
Has such an appealing combination of size, length, explosiveness, and power that some team is going to be willing to consider him as high as the second day, being a redshirt sophomore and one-year starter who could be special if he becomes less dependent on his ability to convert speed to power and develops a repertoire of rush moves and counters. Draft stock will largely depend upon how coachable teams think he is.
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