Scout Report – Chapelle Russell

• Position: Inside Linebacker – Mike, Off-ball, Adjuster
• College: Temple Owls
• Gridiron Guy Position Rank: 10 of 21

Age: 23 | Height: 6’2 | Weight: 236 lbs
NFL Size Comparison: Ronny Connelly

LB at a Glance: Physically and mentally tough LB with a knack for attacking the run, with potential in Pass rush and coverage

RESUME:

• Best Game: @ #19 Cincinnati (L 13-15)
  • 11 tackles (4 solo, 7 assists) | 2 Pass Def
• Worst Game: @ USF (W 17-7)
  • 2 tackles (2 solo)
• Butkus Award Watch List (2019)
• Male Comeback Player of the Year by Temple Athletics (2018)
• Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award Nominee (2018)
• Tied for 3rd best Bench Press reps at the Combine for ILBs (21)

__________ Physical _______________________

Pros

• Within NFL average size for ILB at 6’2 236 lbs
• Acceptable top speed with a forty time of 4.69s
• Shows good upper body strength as he tied for 3rd best at bench press with 21 reps
• Acceptable lower body power with a 121.0in Broadjump and 35.0in vertical
• Good play speed to keep pace with any offensive weapon
• Has the lateral movement you would like to get runners who are trying to bounce

Cons

• Durability concerns are prevalent as he has had two ACL tears on the same knee
• Poor production on the field, behind compared to others in his draft class
• Low agility, ranked last in both the 3-cone drill and 20 yard shuffle among ILBs

__________ Mental _______________________

Pros

• Ideal experience as a 3-year starter
• Had been praised for his mental toughness for fighting back from both ACL tears
• Fundamentally proactive in his play on defense
• Tenacious LB who does not stop until the whistle is blown
• Quick mind to diagnose plays and know where to go
• Seems to have a good grasp of football, and offensive schemes
• Mature player with a refined sense of play
• Production inconsistent week to week, and never had a blowout year

Cons

• Has a strange habit of leaving his mouthpiece out when playing
• Can get caught up staring into the backfield he loses sight of the rest of the field

__________ Tackling _________________________

Pros

• Assertiveness to put himself into a runner, does not shy away from contact
• Good angle pursuit
• Strong tackling fundamentals with a nice wrap up
• Reliable tackler
• Shows that he has a strong pop in his pads
• Deadly grip to keep hold of a runner once they get in his range
• Can be a reassuring defender on the sideline
• Has the ability to extend his body when needed

Cons

None

__________ Run Defense___________________

Pros

• Excellent eyes to track the runner in the backfield
• Sharp instincts to feel where the offense is attempting to go
• Good vision to see the field and where the holes are
• Swift feet when crashing downhill
• Physically tough to hit the trenches with ferocity

Cons

• Inconsistent reading fakes
• Lags behind when playing to flow
• Does not always find the gap in time, leading to blockers and runners climbing to the second level on his watch
• Can get lost in congestion when he attempts to meet the runner at the line

__________ Pass Rush __________________

Pros

• Surprisingly good at slipping past blockers
• Can meet blockers with a strong initial impact to knock them off balance
• Quick burst off the line of scrimmage can get OL shaken on their backsteps
• Has the speed to rip through holes in the pocket and create chaos
• Proactive hands keep OL from getting a good grip on him

Cons

• Little power in his bull rush, can be stalled quickly if he cannot jimmy his way past
• Does not maintain his positioning when he is in a block, allowing RBs to scoot past him
• Hand discipline is lacking, will flail his arms about when attempting to get by, wasting time and energy

__________ Coverage ____________________

Pros

• Good awareness of the field to keep tabs on receivers running around him
• Active enough to put on spy duty
• Inside zone is effective for him
• Promising ability to read the QB and drift toward his intended receiver

Cons

• Seems to always be a step behind on man coverage
• Does not play the outside and sideline with the same level of urgency as the interior
• Poor positioning in zones often have him too far up or too far back
• Does little to pressure routes that cross him
• Disappointing closing speed, do not expect him to make a play on the ball
• Lacking that urgency on his backpedal, seems more like a stroll than a race to cover the field

Bold Predictions:

• Draft Placement: 5th – 6th Round
• Status: Short-Term Project Player
• Ceiling: NFL Starter
• Floor: 4 & Out