- 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
