- Position: Inside Linebacker – Off-ball
- College: LSU Tigers
- Gridiron Guy Position Rank: 10 of 20
Age: 20 | Height: 6’3 | Weight: 229 lbs
NFL Size Comparison: Fred Warner
LB at a Glance: Run stopper with the athleticism to be effective in coverage
RESUME:
- 100-tackle season in 2019
- Most tackles in the SEC (113)
- Most assisted tackles in the SEC (57)
- 5th most solo tackles in the SEC (56)
- Best Game: v. Arkansas (W 56-20)
- 12 tackles (5 solo, 7 assists)
- Worst Game: v. Texas A&M (W 56-20)
- 1 tackle (1 assist)
- CFP National Champion (2019)
Strengths:
__________ Physical _________________________________________________
Slightly above average top speed with a forty time of 4.66, ranked 8th of 18 ILBs
No durability issues to speak of
Coming off a 100-tackle season in 2019 with 113 tackles
Quite powerful with the second best vertical and the third best broadjump of ILBs
LSU scheme built around LB play increased his usage rate when compared to peers
__________ Mental ___________________________________________________
Has shown consistent growth year to year, and play week in week out
Proactive player
Tenacious player who plays the entire time between the whistles
Patient player who does not jump until he knows for certain what to attack
Seems to have good level of preparation
Intelligent player who can figure out what the offense is trying to do
__________ Tackling _________________________________________________
Versatile tackling range allows him to extend away from his feet to make tackles
Excellent pursuit angles to take a runner to the sideline
Aggressive when tackling, not afraid to meet a runner with his own power
Can be a reliable tackler inside congestion, and out in the open field
Pretty strong grip to grab runners and make arm tackles
Fundamentals are strong, with a strong pop, clean wrap up and a twist to bring his guys down
__________ Run Defense _____________________________________________
Good play to flow to keep their positioning as runners take it to the sideline
Excellent at tracking the runner in the backfield and in congestion
Sharp instincts and intuition to feel where the offense is attempting to get to
Good pursuit speed to chase down runners from behind
Unlikely to bite on fakes
Good vision and use of peripherals
Physically tough player who does not shy from contact
__________ Pass Rush _______________________________________________
Hits the gap with adequate speed to slip through OL
__________ Coverage ________________________________________________
Good awareness to see where the various receivers are
Outside zone can be a useful spot, intelligent enough to rob underneath the route
Athletic enough to be an adequate spy for most QBs
Has deceptive closing speed to gain ground when the ball is in the air
Athletic enough to be effective with inside zone
Weaknesses:
__________ Physical _________________________________________________
Underweight for a 6’3 LB at 229 lbs
Poor agility and change of direction, as he is tied for worst 3-cone time at 7.38, and 7th of 10 for the 20 yard shuffle at 4.33
Extremely weak for an ILB, easily moved away by blockers on any play where he is touched
Slow play speed disappointing because of athletic ability
Below average lateral movement to take anyone to the sideline
__________ Mental ___________________________________________________
Only a 2-year starter
Slower than his peers at diagnosing plays, though not by much
__________ Tackling _________________________________________________
Feet are a little wonky when tackling, either attacking without being under himself, or not having proper balance
__________ Run Defense _____________________________________________
Inconsistent with filling the gap that opens up
Slow to crash downhill, often being met at the second level or in transition climbing down
Poor at maneuvering through congestion
__________ Pass Rush _______________________________________________
Weak initial impact when meeting block, usually moved
Slow initial burst off the snap lets OL gain ground
Lacks power in his pass rush to force his way through
Little to no hand usage
Inconsistent with maintaining positioning
__________ Coverage ________________________________________________
Poor footwork and balance makes man coverage less than ideal
Does not pressure the route when it meets him
Slow backpedal makes his drop back into zones lag behind others
Little action when in coverage, usually standing idle in his zone rather than drifting toward closest threat
Bold Predictions:
- Draft Placement: 3rd – 4th Round
- Status: Short-Term Project Player
- Ceiling: NFL Backup
- Floor: Practice Squad
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