6’4” – 290 lbs.
Background:
Five-star recruit who has been starting for all three years. Finished with a 38-5.5-2.0 line as a freshman and posted 37-7.0-2.5 as a sophomore before breaking out to the tune of 58-12.5-8.5 as a junior. Got arrested in December for possession of marijuana.
Positives:
Three-year starter with a favorable trajectory. Tall defensive lineman who carries his weight well. Typically lines up as a five-technique end on a three-man line but can slide inside and even takes some snaps standing up. Plays in a scheme which has a lot of two-gap principles and plays with the requisite discipline for that role. Maintains outside leverage and plays with patience on the backside. Uses his length to lock out opponents and keeps his head up to locate and flow. Has strong, active hands to shed and make tackles in the run game. Shows smooth movement skills in space and adequate range in pursuit. Will pursue across the formation or out toward the sidelines. Offers a wide tackling radius and breaks down well in space. Dangerous bull-rusher who plays with the tenacity, leverage, and leg drive to collapse the pocket. Has suddenness at the line and is capable of using swims or hand use to threaten gaps. Bends a smooth arc to the passer when coming off the edge; can dip a little bit and use slaps to generate pressure off the edge.
Negatives:
A little bit taller than some teams might like for a three-technique and may appeal more to teams with odd fronts, or with even fronts which use a jumbo end. Minor issues with gap discipline can crop up when he plays the pass before the run. Pad level can rise as the play goes on. Gives solid effort in pursuit but is more explosive in a short area than he is rangy in space. Would like to see him take more snaps as a three-technique.
Summary:
A very well-rounded defensive line prospect who can line up all over the defensive front and who offers an impressive combination of explosiveness, power, and discipline, traits which could make him a three-down player, particularly on a defense which uses two-gap principles in the run game. Best fit would come as a five-technique end, whether in an odd front or a 4-3 Under defense. Fits the modern game well and looks likely to come off the board in the first two rounds.
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