Scouting Reports:
OSU Bio: http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jerome_baker_972168.html
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=1002518&draftyear=2018&genpos=OLB
Draft Wire: http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/12/31/jerome-baker-nfl-draft-profile/
Articles:
2018 NFL Draft Stock - Pro Days IV (Draft Stock Down - Jerome Baker: Over last weekend while working on my upcoming Outside Linebacker Position Review, I surveyed some team sources for opinions on players with bust potential. In that group, three different team sources independently picked out Baker as a prospect who has a real potential of going bust. Over the past two seasons, Baker totaled 72 and 83 tackles, which isn't bad, but he didn't produce up to his skill set. Baker could have a role as an outside linebacker and special teamer, but some team sources are skeptical he will develop into a quality starter. Baker has doubters around the league, and that could cause him to slide in the 2018 NFL Draft.) (4-3-18): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018stock.php
2018 NFL combine: What we learned from DL and LB weigh-ins and measurements (LB losers - Jerome Baker, Ohio State. While weighing in at 229 pounds could help his on-field workouts, not hitting 230 and having short arms were not the best developments for the former Buckeyes star.) (3-2-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-combine-what-we-learned-from-dl-and-lb-weigh-ins-and-measurements/
Football: Ohio State linebacker Jerome Baker declares early for the NFL draft (Baker was a two-year starter at Ohio State, having burst onto the scene during his sophomore season in 2016 when he finished second on the team with 83 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss, and finished tied for third with 3.5 sacks. He also had two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. In 2017, however, Baker didn’t see the same success. He struggled against the pass and at defending opposing tight ends. He led the team this season with 72 tackles and had eight tackles for loss and three sacks, but his ability to defend the pass will be highly scrutinized throughout the draft process. He finished the Cotton Bowl with five tackles and 1/2 sack.) (1-8-18): https://www.thelantern.com/2018/01/football-ohio-state-linebacker-jerome-baker-declares-early-for-the-nfl-draft/
Top 25 future NFL stars to watch in Dec. 26-30 bowl games (19. Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State: Baker's the sort of undersized but fast and tenacious linebacker that NFL teams want in today's game. He fills rushing lanes in a hurry, though bigger backs can move him after contact because of his lack of size. Baker's biggest asset is his quickness; he has the skills to cover USC's talented tight ends and running backs, so scouts will be looking to see if he can consistently perform that task in a high-pressure setting.) (12-26-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000898733/article/top-25-future-nfl-stars-to-watch-in-dec-2630-bowl-games
College Football Playoff predictions: How the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs will win it all (Georgia is led by Butkus Award winner and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Roquan Smith at middle linebacker -- a tackling machine in 2017. He had 113 tackles on the year and leads the SEC with 72 solo tackles (10.5 for loss) heading into bowl season and was named MVP of the Bulldogs' 2017 SEC Championship Game win over Auburn. "Roquan took on a leadership role in the time in the spring when it was hard because he was injured," Smart said. "He's embraced that. He's had two or three really good practices. He looks fast out there. Really competitive, playing fast.") (12-26-17): https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-predictions-how-the-no-3-georgia-bulldogs-will-win-it-all/
Stock Report: Roquan Smith confirms status as college’s top LB (Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State, JR. (6-1, 225, 4.62, #17): Thought to be in consideration before the season as the first linebacker drafted, Baker didn’t live up to that hype for much of his junior season with below-average performances in several key games, most notably the Iowa loss. However, he played arguably his best game of the season in the win over Wisconsin, giving the Buckeyes their first Big Ten title since 2014. The only player to finish with double-digit tackles, Baker posted 16 tackles, including two for loss and one sack, and did a much better job in coverage. Wisconsin isn’t known for their downfield passing attack, making the Ohio State linebackers the key to limiting a powerful run game, as well as the fullback/tight end targets in the short-to-intermediate passing game. The OSU linebackers, led by Baker, did just that as the Badgers’ offense managed only one touchdown. Although he will benefit from getting stronger and speeding up his mental processor, Baker has the athleticism and aggressive nature that are solid building blocks for a starting NFL linebacker.) (12-5-17): http://tsxfiles.com/blog/2017/12/05/stock-report-roquan-smith-confirms-status-as-colleges-top-lb/
Week 14 Risers and Sliders (Jerome Baker/LB/Ohio State: Baker had his ups and downs this year but finished strong with a phenomenal showing during the Big 10 title game. The junior led all defenders with 16 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. He made plays sideline to sideline and was very effective in space, which is his specialty. As I mentioned in our preview of the Big 10 title game, Baker is a three-down defender for the next level whose game parallels former OSU linebacker Darron Lee in a variety of ways.) (12-4-17): http://draftanalyst.com/week-14-risers-sliders
Prospect matchups in the Big 10 Title Game (Even though Jerome Baker has had an up-and-down season, I think he projects well to the next level. He’s a three-down defender who does a great job making plays in space and reminds me of former Buckeye and first-round pick Darron Lee in many ways.) (12-3-17): http://draftanalyst.com/prospect-matchups-big-10-title-game
Georgia LB Smith looks impressive in SEC title game (Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State, JR. (6-1, 225, 4.62, #17): Thought to be in consideration before the season as the first linebacker drafted, Baker didn’t live up to that hype for much of his junior season with below-average performances in several key games, most notably the Iowa loss. However, he played arguably his best game of the season in the win over Wisconsin, giving the Buckeyes their first Big Ten title since 2014. The only player to finish with double-digit tackles, Baker posted 16 tackles, including two for loss and one sack, and did a much better job in coverage. Wisconsin isn’t known for their downfield passing attack, making the Ohio State linebackers the key to limiting a powerful run game, as well as the fullback/tight end targets in the short-to-intermediate passing game. The OSU linebackers, led by Baker, did just that as the Badgers’ offense managed only one touchdown. Although he will benefit from getting stronger and speeding up his mental processor, Baker has the athleticism and aggressive nature that are solid building blocks for a starting NFL linebacker.) (12-2-17): http://nfldraftscout.com/members/news/cfb_column.php?story_id=183921
Stock Report: Pair of Baker’s moving in opposite directions (Who hurt themselves? Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State, JR. (6-1, 225, 4.62, #17): Pegged as the next Ryan Shazier or Darron Lee, Baker appeared poised for a breakout junior season, but his play hasn’t lived up to expectations — and that was especially evident in Ohio State’s loss to Iowa. While there is no questioning his athleticism and potential, the mental part of the game hasn’t shown the same development, playing too reactionary without the anticipation and processor that it takes to play the position at a high level. Baker puts himself in position to make plays, making contact with the ball carrier, but too often he fails to finish and misses the tackle. He can be too easily moved by blockers near the line of scrimmage and receivers are able to gain free release, gaining immediate separation in man coverage. There is no question that he is dripping with potential and natural ability, but he won’t reach his football ceiling unless he competes with more grit and conviction, which is a must to play linebacker in the NFL.) (11-7-17): http://tsxfiles.com/blog/2017/11/07/stock-report-pair-of-bakers-moving-in-opposite-directions/
Ranking Ohio State's top prospects for the 2018 NFL draft (1. DE Jerome Baker: The 2018 draft could feature a handful of athletic, versatile playmakers at lineback, and Baker could be the best of the bunch. At 6-1, 225 pounds, he’s got a lean frame that could probably use a few pounds of quality bulk, but Baker still packs a punch when he gets to the ball-carrier. His impressive combination of range, athleticism and instincts will make him an immediate sideline-to-sideline playmaker at the next level, and potentially deserving of a top-15 pick.) (9-14-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/09/14/ranking-ohio-states-top-prospects-for-the-2018-nfl-draft/8/
Ohio State's Nick Bosa, Jerome Baker team up for scoop-and-score (10-7-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/10/07/ohio-states-nick-bosa-jerome-baker-team-up-for-scoop-and-score/
Ranking Ohio State's top prospects for the 2018 NFL draft (1. Jerome Baker: The 2018 draft could feature a handful of athletic, versatile playmakers at lineback, and Baker could be the best of the bunch. At 6-1, 225 pounds, he’s got a lean frame that could probably use a few pounds of quality bulk, but Baker still packs a punch when he gets to the ball-carrier. His impressive combination of range, athleticism and instincts will make him an immediate sideline-to-sideline playmaker at the next level, and potentially deserving of a top-15 pick.) (9-14-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/09/14/ranking-ohio-states-top-prospects-for-the-2018-nfl-draft/8/
2018 NFL Draft Watch: FBS Linebacker Overview (Top of the class (first round watch): There is no consensus linebacker who looks like a first-round lock at this point, but there is certainly talent at the position. Ohio State’s Jerome Baker is the kind of athletic, undersized linebacker the NFL is looking for in coverage.) (8-16-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-nfl-draft-watch-fbs-linebacker-overview
Top 5 FBS players, per position, entering the 2017 season: Defense (Jerome Baker - The Good: Strong 81.7 coverage grade in 2016 as he has good range and also has the athleticism to stick with tight ends and running backs. His grade was 87.7, 2nd among LBs. Room to Improve: Undersized and can get locked up by offensive linemen and tight ends in the run game. Finished with a run stop percentage of 7.6 percent, only 95th in the draft class.) (8-8-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/top-5-fbs-players-per-position-entering-the-2017-season-defense
2018 Prospect Preview: OSU's Jerome Baker approaches 2017 as one of PFF's top LB prospects (7-26-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-prospect-preview-osus-jerome-baker-approaches-2017-as-one-of-pffs-top-lb-prospects
2018 NFL draft early watch list: Linebackers (Jerome Baker: Raekwon McMillan was a borderline first-round talent in last year’s draft, and Baker should be projected in the same range in the 2018 class. An undersized but athletic playmaker, the 6-1, 225-pound Cleveland native broke out in his sophomore season, racking up 86 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks for a defense stacked with top NFL prospects. He’ll be relied on even more in 2017, but if he takes another step forward in his development, his draft stock could easily end up warranting an early jump to the pro ranks.) (7-23-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/07/23/2018-nfl-draft-early-watch-list-linebackers/2/
Tremaine Edmunds, Rashaan Evans lead top CFB LBs to watch (4. Jerome Baker, Ohio State: Looks and plays like former Buckeye Darron Lee. Like Lee, Baker is a fast, fluid athlete who is able to turn, twist and wind his way into tackle opportunities. Baker shows an understanding of his run fits and isn't afraid to square up big running backs when the time comes to meet face-to-face in the hole. Baker, like Lee, also offers unique cover talent with the ability to defend against big slot receivers underneath and finish interception opportunities that come his way. Once again, like Lee, Baker lacks size and NFL-caliber strength at the point of attack. He will have to improve his ability to keep himself clean because getting glued to blocks is the only thing slowing him down right now.) (7-21-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000821135/article/tremaine-edmunds-rashaan-evans-lead-top-cfb-lbs-to-watch
Scouting the Big Ten: Ohio State (I’ve seen Jerome Baker graded as a potential fifth-round prospect by some scouts, but I completely disagree. Baker reminds me of a Ryan Shazier type -- a slightly undersized linebacker with great athleticism, explosion and the ability to make plays all over the field against the run or pass.) (7-14-17): http://draftanalyst.com/scouting-big-ten-ohio-state
LB Rashaan Evans:
Scouting Reports:
Alabama Bio: http://www.rolltide.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3898
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/rashaan-evans?id=2560073
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=130693&draftyear=2018&genpos=OLB
Draft Wire: http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/12/30/rashaan-evans-nfl-draft-profile/
Articles:
Combine confidential: Inside look at the juiciest developments (Rollin' with the Tide: I'm headed to Alabama for the Crimson Tide pro day on Wednesday. That's where LB Rashaan Evans told me he'll run the 40. He concentrated on drills in Indy and received strong reviews.) (3-6-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000919761/article/combine-confidential-inside-look-at-the-juiciest-developments
NFL Combine Studs and Duds: Defensive Line and Linebackers (Studs - Rashaan Evans (Alabama) didn’t run the 40 today (he will run at Alabama’s Pro Day on March 7th) but he participated in the on-field drills portion and looked like the best prospect on the field. If the Lions want to pair a first-round pick with Jarred Davis at linebacker, Evans is the player I think is a realistic possibility.) (3-4-18): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/04/nfl-combine-studs-and-duds-defensive-line-and-linebackers/
2018 NFL Combine Stock Report - Linebackers (Stock Up - Of all the linebackers at the combine, Rashaan Evans performed the best in the field workouts. He was extremely fluid in the coverage drills, and those alone may have cemented his first-round status. His agility numbers weren't bad either, as he posted a 6.95 3-cone time.) (3-4-18): http://walterfootball.com/combine2018stockLB.php
Pre-Combine Linebacker Boards Taking Shape (Rashaan Evans of Alabama is graded as a second-round value, though teams believe he could slide into the late first.) (2-23-18): http://draftanalyst.com/pre-combine-linebacker-boards-taking-shape
Video - Rashaan Evans explains why his 'versatility' separates him from other Alabama LBs in NFL Draft in recent years (2-22-18): http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000917252
2018 NFL Combine: Prospects with the most on the line in Indianapolis (Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: In one of the best off-ball linebacker classes in a long time, Evans needs a quality combine performance to fortify his stock. The problem is, Roquan Smith is likely to test well at around 230-235 pounds and a shorter frame. Tremaine Edmunds and Leighton Vander Esch, two oversized linebacker prospects with freakish athleticism very well could test through the roof. That leaves Evans, who, will score points with teams due to his experience in Alabama's famed defense, but doesn't enter the combine as someone expected to perform amazingly in Indianapolis. In terms of size, he'll likely be somewhere between Smith and the Edmunds / Vander Esch duo, however the reputation of Crimson Tide linebackers -- while mostly good -- places him as a "downhill thumper," which is useful but a label trending in the wrong direction for today's wide-open NFL.) (2-21-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-combine-prospects-with-the-most-on-the-line-in-indianapolis/
2018 Combine Preview: Linebacker (Rashaan Evans - Best trait: Like Edmunds, Evans has the kind of size and speed that should allow him to play a number of different roles. He had 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks this past season for the national champions. Concern: He can stand to improve his cover skills in space, which is typically the biggest adjustment for young linebackers in the NFL. Skinny: Evans has the ability to play off the line in base and also step up and rush the quarterback. That type of linebacker is becoming more and more popular in the NFL because of all the sub packages used by teams.) (2-19-18): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/nfl-scouting-combine/article-1/2018-Combine-Preview-Linebacker/c74b4e10-c664-4d4b-b7fd-e218a73e8510
The 2018 NFL Draft linebacker class is game-changing (Rashaan Evans: Evans is a relentless, physical presence on the second level who explodes into people on contact. While Evans is built more in the model of a traditional weak-side linebacker, he has shown the ability to also get after the passer both as a blitzer and rushing off the edge. Evans had six sacks, 10 QB hits and 13 hurries on his 106 pass-rushing snaps and his 21.9 pass-rushing productivity rating ranked No. 16 among all FBS draft-eligible inside linebackers.) (2-16-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-the-2018-nfl-draft-linebacker-class-is-game-changing
Why Rashaan Evans is skipping Senior Bowl, updating Minkah Fitzpatrick's health (1-21-18): http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2018/01/why_rashaan_evans_is_skipping.html
Top-10 2018 draft prospects playing on Monday night (4. Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama. Rolando McClain. Dont’a Hightower. C.J. Mosley. Reggie Ragland. Reuben Foster. And now, Evans. The senior finished the season on fire, and is considered a worthy torchbearer in the Tide’s recent inside linebacker lineage. He, Smith and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds will be fighting for draft position come spring, and Evans probably comes off blocks and rushes the passer a little better than Smith does. He has a shot to go Top 20.) (1-8-18): https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/08/georgia-alabama-nfl-draft-national-title-championship-game-top-prospects-minkah-fitzpatrick-roquan
Top 17 future NFL stars to watch in national championship game (5. Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: Evans led the Tide with 9 tackles against Clemson, making plays vs. the run and pass. He brought down QB Kelly Bryant for a sack on one play, but also chased the quarterback and other ball carriers regularly. The leader of Alabama's hurting linebacker corps did his job, and will have to do so again against Georgia QB Jake Fromm and his stud backs.) (1-4-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000902788/article/top-17-future-nfl-stars-to-watch-in-national-championship-game
Best pro fits for 2018 NFL draft prospects in the College Football Playoff final (Rashaan Evans - Best fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints - Evans does it all for the Alabama defense, playing a more traditional linebacker role this year after dominating off the edge in limited opportunities in his first three years. This year, his 77.5 pass-rush grade ranks fourth among linebackers, and he has 16 sacks, 16 QB hits, and 35 hurries on only 271 career rushes. His versatility will certainly make him attractive to the Patriots, who may see some Jamie Collins in Evans’ game. The Steelers’ defense is always in need of linebackers who are capable of covering and rushing the passer, while the Saints made great strides defensively this season but are still looking for a dynamic playmaker in the middle of that defense.) (1-3-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-best-pro-fits-for-2018-nfl-draft-prospects-in-the-college-football-playoff-final
2018 NFL draft: Top prospects to watch in the National Championship (LB Rashaad Evans: The Crimson Tide have been churning out well-rounded linebacker prospects for years now, and Evans is the next in a long line of successes. Taking over for Reuben Foster at the heart of one of the nation’s most dominant units, Evans has been a wrecking ball that ruins the plans of many an opposing offense. An impressive athlete with a physical playing style and great awareness, Evans is the kind of three-down playmaker and reliable leader any NFL defense should want at the second level. As was the case with Foster last year, and C.J. Mosley before that, Evans shouldn’t have to wait until Day 2 to hear his name called.) (1-2-18): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/01/02/2018-nfl-draft-georgia-alabama-top-prospects-national-championship/7/
2018 NFL Draft prospect watch: CFP Semifinal Sugar Bowl (Alabama is always stout on the defensive front-seven and this year is no different. Inside linebacker Rashaan Evans has 19 run stops in addition to two sacks, nine QB hits and nine hurries on his 85 pass-rushing snaps. – @PFF_Jordan) (12-31-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-watch-cfp-semifinal-sugar-bowl
Top 25 future NFL stars to watch in New Year's Day bowl games (12. Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: If Nick Saban wants to keep Clemson QB Kelly Bryant and RB Tavien Feaster in check, Evans needs to be a factor as a pass rusher and against the run. He possesses the athleticism to do so. He can attack gaps downhill and prevent Bryant from taking off under pressure to move the chains. Evans is the only player on the Tide's defense with double-digit tackles for loss (10.5), and he needs to be the leader for a still-thin linebacker corps in Crimson uniforms.) (12-29-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000899828/article/top-25-future-nfl-stars-to-watch-in-new-years-day-bowl-games
2018 NFL Draft Stock - Week 2 Bowls (Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: Evans is the rare inside linebacker who has a chance to be a Thursday night selection. The 6-foot-3, 231-pounder is an explosive defender with an excellent combination of size and speed. In 2017, Evans has 57 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and two passes broken up. After Alabama lost edge rushers Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson to the NFL, some of the their replacements went out for the year and others didn't provide as much production off the edge. The Crimson Tide had Evans move to rush off the edge in obvious passing situations, and he gave their pass rush a boost down the stretch. In speaking to some team sources, some saw Evans as a second-day talent for the 2018 NFL Draft, while multiple others thought he could be a late first-round or early second-round pick.) (12-26-17): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018stock_17.php
2018 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Week 13 (LB Rashaan Evans is the jack of all trades for the Alabama defense, lining up in the middle and creating pressure off the edge at times. He has 18 pressures on the season (two sacks, eight QB hits, eight hurries), while ranking second on the team with 22 stops. Evans has top-round potential and his athleticism and ability to make plays all over the field will be a big key for the Alabama defense.) (11-24-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-week-13
2018 NFL Draft: One senior prospect fit for every NFC team (Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama - Team fit: Detroit Lions - 2017 stats: 26 tackles (6 for loss, including 3 sacks), 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. The Lions' linebacker corps could be in for big changes in the offseason, with four veterans due to become free agents. Evans' chase ability would fit the bill for Detroit if it wants to continue the youth movement at the position one year after picking Jarrad Davis in the first round.) (11-2-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000871094/article/2018-nfl-draft-one-senior-prospect-fit-for-every-nfc-team
2018 NFL Draft: 15 seniors with chance to earn Round 1 grade (8. Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: An explosive athlete who plays with a nasty streak, Evans could line up inside or outside on Sundays. He could be very impressive at a venue like the Senior Bowl, with his fluidity and ability to pressure the quarterback when given the chance.) (10-19-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000863860/article/2018-nfl-draft-15-seniors-with-chance-to-earn-round-1-grade
Rashaan Evans still fighting through groin injury (10-11-17): http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2017/10/rashaan_evans_still_fighting_t.html
Rashaan Evans still fighting through groin injury (10-11-17): http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2017/10/rashaan_evans_still_fighting_t.html
Video - Rashaan Evans opens up about his groin injury (10-10-17): https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/video/rashaan-evans-opens-up-about-his-groin-injury/
Top 12 must-watch players in Alabama-Florida State game (10. Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama - Evans is "next up" as a playmaking Will linebacker in Nick Saban's defense. We know he's a downhill player -- just ask any blocker or ball carrier he's met in the hole. But scouts want to know if Evans is able to flatten down the line as a pass rusher to chase down an athlete like FSU quarterback Deondre Francois, and if he's quick-footed enough to handle coverage responsibilities.) (9-1-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000838625/article/top-12-mustwatch-players-in-alabamaflorida-state-game
2018 Prospect Preview: Rashaan Evans set for breakout 2017 (8-25-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-prospect-preview-rashaan-evans-set-for-breakout-2017
Seven believable things amid offseason hype for NFL prospects (3. Rashaan Evans will be a breakthrough star for Alabama this season: Alabama's defense has a pecking order and the "next man up" is consistently rewarded with stats, big plays and accolades. Evans is a hybrid linebacker talent with the speed to get in on tackle after tackle from the inside linebacker spot. He also has the quickness to torment quarterbacks when he bumps outside as a rush linebacker. Evans has continued to build his resume over his first three years and now it's time for the senior to become one of the brightest stars of the defense.) (8-23-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000818460/article/seven-believable-things-amid-offseason-hype-for-nfl-prospects
2018 NFL Draft Watch: FBS Linebacker Overview (Breakout candidates - Rashaan Evans, Alabama: While Evans has spent most of his time as more of an edge rusher in Alabama’s system, he’s likely moving to more of a traditional linebacker role this season. So far, the production has been excellent on his 482 career snaps as he has 12 sacks, seven QB hits, and 22 hurries on only 175 pass-rushes, well below a season’s worth. Expect Evans to be a moveable chess piece on Alabama’s defense as he shows off his athleticism in multiple roles this season.) (8-16-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-nfl-draft-watch-fbs-linebacker-overview
2018 NFL Draft Watch: FBS Edge Defender Overview (While Alabama’s Rashaan Evans may move to more of a full-time linebacker role this fall, he led all draft class edge defenders with a pass-rush productivity of 21.5 (19 total pressures on 72 rushes).) (8-14-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-nfl-draft-watch-fbs-edge-defender-overview
Alabama LB Rashaan Evans primed for breakout season in 2017? (7-7-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/07/07/alabama-lb-rashaan-evans-primed-for-breakout-season-in-2017/
LB Malik Jefferson:
Scouting Reports:
Texas Profile: http://texassports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7224
Draft Wire: http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/12/30/malik-jefferson-nfl-draft-profile/
Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=1002660&draftyear=2018&genpos=ILB
Articles:
2018 NFL Combine: Leighton Vander Esch, Shaquem Griffin crush their workouts (Linebacker Winners - Malik Jefferson, Texas -- We didn't get agility times for Jefferson, but in the linear explosion tests, he performed very well, running 4.52 with a 36-inch vertical and a 10-foot-5 broad jump. That matches with his strength on tape. Jefferson flies from sideline to sideline.) (3-4-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-combine-marcus-davenport-shaquem-griffin-daron-payne-crush-their-combine-workouts/
2018 NFL Combine Stock Report - Linebackers (Malik Jefferson was great Sunday. He had a fast 40 (4.52) and also posted strong jumping numbers (36-inch vertical, 10-5 broad). However, I'm hesitant to give him a stock-up arrow because none of this matters if he didn't nail his interviews. Teams had concerns about Jackson's passion for football, so I look forward to hearing about what they currently think of Jefferson.) (3-4-18): http://walterfootball.com/combine2018stockLB.php
2018 NFL combine: What we learned from DL and LB weigh-ins and measurements (LB losers - Malik Jefferson, Texas - Normally, a 74-inch wingspan is fine for an off-ball linebacker. But relatively to some of the length freaks in his class, Jefferson's lack of length stands out.) (3-2-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-combine-what-we-learned-from-dl-and-lb-weigh-ins-and-measurements/
NFL combine preview: Could the Lions take another linebacker in the draft? (Malik Jefferson, Texas: Every year you see NFL prospects who look like NFL players, and run like NFL players, and otherwise have NFL measureables, yet for one reason or another didn't produce like it. That won't automatically kill a player's stock. But you can bet teams will ask about it too, and try to understand what held them back. Was the player just a bad scheme fit? The victim of poor coaching? Nagged by injury? In those cases, he might not slide. But other times the problem is instinct, or IQ, or commitment, or maybe he's just not all that good at football. Those cases are red flags. And this is the call teams will have to make with Jefferson. He was the top linebacker recruit in the country. He looks like an NFL player and runs like an NFL player and otherwise has NFL measureables, yet never really played like it until this past season. Why didn't he produce more? He's going to hear that question a lot this week.) (2-27-18): http://www.mlive.com/expo/erry-2018/02/d00f56d266/nfl_combine_preview_could_the.html
2018 NFL Draft: Josh Allen leads top 10 boom-or-bust prospects (7. Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas: Best team fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers. Analysis: Jefferson's size, strength, and athleticism earned him five-star ratings as a recruit, the High School Butkus Award in 2014, All-American notice with the Longhorns, and the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year award. NFL scouts aren't so sure he's going to be a difference-maker at the next level, though. They question his instincts and playmaking ability. Jefferson has the physical tools to be an outstanding inside 'backer in a 3-4 scheme or Sam in a 4-3, making a squad's run defense stronger and providing some pass rush when called upon. If he plays to his potential, he could end up being a great find in the top 50 picks.) (2-22-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000917164/article/2018-nfl-draft-josh-allen-leads-top-10-boomorbust-prospects
2018 NFL Combine: Five prospects with the most to gain in Indianapolis (Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas: In a loaded linebacker class -- one of, if not the best in the past decade -- Malik Jefferson will enter the combine as somewhat of an overlooked prospect. There's Roquan Smith, Rashaan Evans, and the two gargantuan second-level roamers, Tremaine Edmunds and Leighton Vander Esch. Jefferson will likely fall between Smith and the Edmunds/Vander Esch duo from a size perspective, yet on film, he certainly can fly to the football. Because he's not a polished block-shedder or accomplished in coverage -- no interceptions and only five pass breakups in three seasons -- the Texas star is viewed as a relatively raw prospect. But Edmunds and Vander Esch have trouble with blocks too, however, they repeatedly win due to their ridiculous length and speed to the football. If Jefferson measures in somewhat close to Edmunds and/or Vander Esch and has combine performance that comes close to stacking up against those two, he'll firmly be in the early Round 2 discussion.) (2-22-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-combine-five-prospects-with-the-most-to-gain-in-indianapolis/
NFL Combine preview: Athleticism key for these prospects (Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas: While there are questions about his instincts and overaggressive play, Jefferson is a top-tier athlete who should shine at the Combine. His explosiveness and athletic reflexes will be fun to watch.) (2-21-18): http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/02/21/nfl-combine-preview-athleticism-key-for-these-prospects/
Monday Musings -- February 19 (When I watched the Texas film, three Longhorns defenders really impressed me: safety DeShon Elliott, cornerback Holton Hill and linebacker Malik Jefferson. Malik Jefferson is another vicious defender who attacks assignments. I like his instincts, suddenness and ability to pursue the action laterally. Jefferson needs to polish his ball skills but can start at the next level.) (2-19-18): http://draftanalyst.com/monday-musings-february-19
10 prospects who should light up the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine (LB Malik Jefferson: Listed at 6-3, 245 pounds, Jefferson is a ball-seeking missile with rare athleticism and range for his size, and the versatility to play any off-ball linebacker spot. This year’s class is loaded with talented prospects at the position, but the combine should be Jefferson’s time to shine, showing teams the kind of upside that comes with such rare physical tools. If he can show fluidity in the movement drills to go along with his explosiveness, Jefferson could solidify himself as a first-round prospect.) (2-14-18): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/02/14/2018-nfl-draft-scouting-combine-10-prospects-who-should-light-it-up/6/
The Big 12's top 10 defensive NFL draft prospects: Texas Longhorns dominate the list (1. Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas: Although he isn't a first-round caliber player, Jefferson has a ton of ability with the character and intelligence that will win coaches over. He displays NFL-level athleticism and an attacking mindset, but his instincts are stuck in the developmental phase and he's more of a see-ball, get-ball guesser. Jefferson projects as a Day 2 draft pick.) (1-11-18): https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2018/01/11/breaking-big-12s-best-defensive-nfl-draft-prospects-longhorns-dominate-list
Texas star LB Malik Jefferson declares for NFL draft (12-31-17): http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/longhorns/article/Texas-star-LB-Malik-Jefferson-declares-for-NFL-12465003.php
Scouting the Texas Bowl: Texas vs. Missouri (I’ve seen Malik Jefferson all over draft boards yet firmly believe he’s top-45 material. An explosive three-down defender, Jefferson is a fierce run defender who holds his own in coverage while showing some force on the blitz. I like his versatility and potential in a variety of schemes, but he's likely to miss the game due to a lingering toe injury.) (12-28-17): http://draftanalyst.com/scouting-texas-bowl-texas-vs-missouri
Texas LB Malik Jefferson will miss Texas Bowl (But Jefferson apparently was unable to get up to full speed during any of the team's practices leading up to Wednesday night's game. Jefferson lead the team with 100 tackles and 10 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with four sacks.) (12-27-17): http://www.chron.com/sports/longhorns/article/Texas-LB-Malik-Jefferson-will-miss-Texas-Bowl-12458329.php
Texas announces that turf toe will sideline Malik Jefferson as Texas Bowl practices begin (Texas announced on Sunday night that Jefferson will sit out practices at the beginning of this week. Per a Texas spokesperson, Jefferson was “fighting through minor turf toe the last few weeks of the season.” UT coach Tom Herman is using the first part of this week to rest players who are dealing with minor injuries.) (12-3-17): http://www.statesman.com/sports/texas-announces-that-turf-toe-will-sideline-malik-jefferson-texas-bowl-practices-begin/cx547hEFSBETTjtqeqWnhO/
Play of Texas LB Malik Jefferson might help save Strong’s job (Strong sent linebacker Malik Jefferson, the sophomore selected in July as the Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year, to the bench heading into an Oct. 29 meeting against then-undefeated Baylor. Instead of pouting, Jefferson said he did some soul-searching. He talked to his parents. He prayed. And he realized he needed to change an approach where he “thought everything would be handed to me” because he is the face of the Longhorns’ defense to most fans and outside observers. During this week’s news conference in Austin, Jefferson acknowledged a frank discussion with his parents “brought a lot of dark to the light and explained a lot to me. That helped the most. I think I had to realize what I can do … realize the potential I have, actually use it.” For the Longhorns (5-4, 3-3 Big 12), the move began paying dividends when Jefferson came off the bench to lead the team with 10 tackles and two sacks in a 35-34 victory over Baylor. Back in the lineup, Jefferson added a team-high eight tackles and 1.5 sacks in last week’s 45-37 victory over Texas Tech. Those results give Texas a two-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s game against No. 11 West Virginia (7-1, 4-1) in Austin.) (11-9-17): http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-texas/article113693834.html
PFF Grades: Best Texas performances vs. TCU (6. Malik Jefferson, LB, Jr.: Following a performance against Baylor where PFF graded Jefferson as one of the least-effective defenders on the field, the potential All-American posted a “very good” grade of 80.8. Jefferson’s run defense grade of 80 was impressive considering 37 of his 67 snaps saw him be involved as a run defender. Jefferson also graded out at 79.5 in pass coverage. Jefferson was credited with four stops.) (11-5-17): https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Texas-Longhorns-top-performances-in-24-7-loss-to-TCU-via-Pro-Football-Focus-110034399
2018 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Week 7 (Texas’ Malik Jefferson is giving up just 0.45 yards per coverage snap, fifth-best among Big 12 inside linebackers. Interior defender Poona Ford has registered 11 pressures on opposing quarterbacks this season, while also proving his worth in run defense with eight run stops.) (10-13-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-week-7
Malik Jefferson is not the face of Texas football, and he's OK with that (10-13-17): http://www.espn.com.au/college-football/story/_/id/21004902/malik-jefferson-not-face-texas-football-ok-that
PFF Draft Watch: Week 3 marquee matchups (USC RB Ronald Jones vs Texas LB Malik Jefferson - Jones is off to an outstanding start this season, as 153 of his 275 rushing yards have been earned after contact and he has already forced 12 missed tackles on the ground. Jefferson meanwhile has eight run stops, but has missed three tackles and could be susceptible to Jones’ elusiveness.) (9-15-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pff-draft-watch-week-3-marquee-matchups
Scout questions Malik Jefferson, buzz builds for D.J. Chark (The scoop: "I see Malik (Jefferson) and all of this hype around him as carry over from when he came in highly recruited. Where is the production? Where do you see him dominate games on tape? It's not on the tape yet." -- NFC scouting director. The skinny: The scouting director has a point. I looked at all of the data to check on Jefferson's production and the most glaring issue is his lack of tackles. Jefferson has good size and great athleticism, but managed just 121 tackles over his first two seasons. He has only one game in his career with double-digit tackles, and his "impact" production (game-changing plays like tackles for loss, fumbles forced and recovered, INTs) is very modest. On tape, Jefferson is lacking in instincts and anticipation, which might explain why he has lower tackle numbers. On the flip side, Jefferson has 9 career sacks (all coming in his first two seasons) and if new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando can get Jefferson going, we could see him become a dangerous blitzer again. Regardless, Jefferson does need for his production and impact to more closely match his talent and athleticism. He'll have an opportunity to show out on a big stage Saturday night against Sam Darnold and USC.) (9-14-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000844614/article/scout-questions-malik-jefferson-buzz-builds-for-dj-chark
Week 3 Risers and Sliders (Malik Jefferson/LB/Texas: Many labeled Jefferson as a first-round prospect entering the season, and he proved worthy of that grade against USC. The statistics for Jefferson read 11 tackles, two for loss, in the Longhorns' double-overtime loss to the Trojans, yet the numbers tell a fraction of the story. Pressured applied all evening by Jefferson helped contain the otherwise explosive Trojans offense. He had quarterback Sam Darnold playing back on his heels and looking for pass rushers as much as he was looking for pass receivers. In the end Darnold prevailed, but Jefferson’s complete performance against the Trojans forced scouts to take notice.) (9-18-17): http://draftanalyst.com/week-3-risers-sliders
2018 NFL Draft Watch: FBS Linebacker Overview (Malik Jefferson, Texas: The hype has always been there for Jefferson who came to Texas as a top recruit and stepped right into the starting lineup. His athleticism is evident, but the production has yet to match, and he could take a big step this year if he can just tie up his tackling. He’s missed 23 of his 134 career tackle attempts (by comparison, Kiser has 21 misses, but on 239 career attempts) and Jefferson ranked 146th in the draft class in tackling efficiency last season. However, the rest of his game has promise, and making more of the expected plays will help him live up to his potential.) (8-16-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-nfl-draft-watch-fbs-linebacker-overview
2018 Prospect Preview: the buck stops at Texas LB Malik Jefferson (8-11-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-prospect-preview-the-buck-stops-at-texas-lb-malik-jefferson
Texas' LB Malik Jefferson is back and re-focused on football following nine month media blackout (8-2-17): https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2017/08/02/texas-lb-malik-jefferson-back-re-focused-football-following-nine-month-media-blackout
CFBTop25: No. 25, Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas (7-24-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000821345/article/cfbtop25-no-25-malik-jefferson-lb-texas
2018 NFL draft early watch list: Linebackers (Malik Jefferson: It’s been too long since the Longhorns had a legitimate top-10 prospect, but they may have more than one this year. Jefferson is one of them, a well-rounded defender who is equal parts athletic and physical. One of Charlie Strong’s biggest victories on the recruiting trail, the 6-3, 240-pounder has tallied 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks over his two seasons in Austin, and is primed for his best season yet as a junior. Jefferson has the most upside of any linebacker in what looks like another deep class, and should end the Longhorns’ four-year drought without a first-round pick.) (7-23-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/07/23/2018-nfl-draft-early-watch-list-linebackers/
Tremaine Edmunds, Rashaan Evans lead top CFB LBs to watch (3. Malik Jefferson, Texas - Jefferson is body-beautiful and an exceptional athlete with a great combination of size, speed and explosiveness. However, Malik Jefferson the football player hasn't caught up with Malik Jefferson the athlete just yet. Jefferson possesses a monster burst to close out running backs looking to turn the corner and his reactive athleticism allows him to recover from mistakes that would leave other linebackers out of the play. Jefferson's instincts failed him at times when he played in the middle and he would run himself out of position too often. Texas is moving Jefferson to outside linebacker this year, which should open him up to think less and play faster. That could help unlock his massive potential.) (7-21-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000821135/article/tremaine-edmunds-rashaan-evans-lead-top-cfb-lbs-to-watch
2018 NFL draft: Big 12 scouting preview (Top Defensive Prospect - OLB Malik Jefferson: It’s been a while since the Longorns have had a player with potential top-10 buzz, but they’ll have two heading into this season. Along with offensive tackle Connor Williams, Jefferson could give Texas a first-round selection for the first time since 2013. An explosive defender with fantastic range and athleticism, Jefferson is a physical presence who can make plays all over the field against both the run and pass. He’s the complete linebacker NFL teams are desperate to add at the heart of their defenses.) (7-19-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/07/19/2018-nfl-draft-big-12-scouting-preview/2/
Malik Jefferson, Connor Williams likely to break Texas' NFL draft drought (6-8-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/06/08/malik-jefferson-connor-williams-likely-to-break-texas-nfl-draft-drought/
LB Uchenna Nwosu:
Scouting Reports:
USC Profile: http://usctrojans.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6144
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/uchenna-nwosu?id=2559821
Draft Wire Profile: http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/01/16/uchenna-nwosu-nfl-draft-profile/
Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=1016094&draftyear=2018&genpos=OLB
Articles:
NFL combine preview: Could the Lions take another linebacker in the draft? (Uchenna Nwosu, USC: Another super athletic linebacker, and this one is far more reasonable for the Lions as a middle-round prospect. Of course, there's a reason why a linebacker so athletic would still be available that late. For Nwosu, it was his indecision about playing football at all. He missed the bowl game as a true freshman for fighting with a teammate, then didn't enroll in school in the spring because he wasn't sure whether to continue his career. He eventually realized he missed the game, and has preyed on quarterbacks since his return. He racked up 11.5 sacks last season, which was third among all linebackers in the country, and had 19 overall the last two years. He should test really well at the combine, too. But in an era where players are walking away prematurely more and more, you can bet he's going to face all kinds of questions from teams about his commitment to the game.) (2-27-18): http://www.mlive.com/expo/erry-2018/02/d00f56d266/nfl_combine_preview_could_the.html
Pre-Combine Linebacker Boards Taking Shape (Uchenna Nwosu of USC also grades as a second-day pick.) (2-23-18): http://draftanalyst.com/pre-combine-linebacker-boards-taking-shape
The 2018 NFL Draft linebacker class is game-changing (Uchenna Nwosu, USC: Nwosu looked like an athlete playing football a bit in 2016 as the 6-foot-2, 245-pound defender would win with athleticism in his pass-rush even if he lost the initial hand battle with the offensive linemen. However, Nwosu worked on his craft and turned a strong spring into a dominant 2017 season. Nwosu generated 10 sacks, 21 QB hits and 30 pressures on his 417 pass-rushing snaps. While NFL teams might want to move Nwosu off-the-ball, his long 33 1/2″ arms and pass-rushing production indicate that he can survive on the edge in the NFL.) (2-16-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-the-2018-nfl-draft-linebacker-class-is-game-changing
Dane Brugler's draft mailbag: Here's who had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl (Question: Who is your favorite defensive line prospect people aren’t really talking about? Brugler: On the interior, South Florida DT Deadrin Senat. Undersized but productive and will probably be available in the 4th-5th rounds. Also Nathan Shepherd from Fort Hays State. On the outside, USC's Uchenna Nwosu and Oklahoma's Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are both undersized, but talented pass rushers who will play in the league for a long time.) (1-29-18): https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2018/01/29/dane-bruglers-draft-mailbag-impressive-showing-senior-bowl
Senior Bowl -- South Team Page (Analysis: Nwosu had an adequate week, though I thought his play during the season was much better. He wasn't great in coverage and struggled as a pass rusher but somehow found ways to make plays. While I thought he was a second-day talent all season long, I now believe Nwosu will fall into the fourth round if he does not run and interview well during the combine.) (1-26-18): draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-south-team-page
Senior Bowl -- South Team Page (Thurs: Solid day for Nwosu as both a pass rusher and when playing in space. He's tough but also shows decent instincts and works hard.) (1-25-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-south-team-page
Senior Bowl -- South Team Page (Wed: Nwosu had his moments but overall struggled in practice. My belief is he's out of position in the 3-4 alignment they have him playing and that he's much better in a 4-3.) (1-24-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-south-team-page
Senior Bowl 2018: Observations from Wednesday's practices highlighted by Josh Allen's vintage performance (USC outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu used a fantastic straight arm to maintain distance from the offensive tackle in front of him and ripped through for a would-be sack in team drills. He and Okoronkwo are extremely similar prospects. Nwosu is more of a technician. Okoronkwo is more of a dynamic athlete.) (1-24-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-2018-observations-from-wednesdays-practices-highlighted-by-josh-allens-vintage-performance/
Senior Bowl notebook: Division II OT Cappa stands his ground (During one-on-one drills, Cappa (6-foot-6, 299 pounds) displayed the edge quickness to mirror rushers to the corner and the aggressive mentality to tie up rushers, breaking the rhythm of his opponent before the defender could do the same to him. What was most impressive about Cappa is that he impressed at left and right tackle and against the best pass-rush talent the South team has to offer. Lined up at left tackle, he faced off against USC edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu (6-2, 245) and rode him to the corner, diminishing the rusher’s arc speed. During team drills, Nwosu exacted some revenge on Cappa, beating him with quickness to his outside shoulder.) (1-23-18): draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/01/23/senior-bowl-notebook-division-ii-ot-cappa-stands-his-ground/
2018 Senior Bowl: Tuesday Practice Report: South Team (The South team saw some defenders laying the wood. Auburn linebacker Tre' Williams had the hardest hit of the day, as he fired his gap to make a bone-rattling hit to force a fumble in the team scrimmage. Virginia safety Quin Blanding also had a good run fill with some hard contact. USC edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu also burned Humboldt State offensive tackle Alex Cappa with a speed rush to get a sack in the team scrimmage. On that play, Nwosu had the quarterback dead to rites.) (1-23-18): http://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2018practice2.php
Senior Bowl -- South Team Page (Tues: Badly beat Alex Cappa around right tackle for a would-be sack but was otherwise quiet.) (1-23-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-south-team-page
Mayfield, Allen, and the Senior Bowl Prospects to Watch (Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, USC: Steady and productive, Nwosu emerged as the Trojans’ top pass-rusher this fall, and is widely seen as a great kid who plays his ass off. That said, he’s a little bit of a linebacker/end tweener, and still has to prove he’s big enough, strong enough and fast enough for his game to translate.) (1-23-18): www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/23/senior-bowl-prospects-baker-mayfield-josh-allen-marcus-davenport
Senior Bowl 2018: Winners and losers from Tuesday's weigh-in at Mobile (Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC - Weigh-in: 6020 / 245 / 33 1/2" arms: Nwosu is the other "smaller but productive" outside linebacker in this class with fringe first-round talent and collegiate film. For him to hit 6-2 and 245 pounds is a huge win for him. His 33 1/2-inch arms mean he has enough length to keep offensive linemen off his frame. Perspective: Von Miller's official size at the combine was 6025 and 245 pounds with 33 1/2-inch arms.) (1-23-18): www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-2018-winners-and-losers-from-tuesdays-weigh-in-at-mobile/
Mayfield, Allen, and the Senior Bowl Prospects to Watch (Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, USC: Steady and productive, Nwosu emerged as the Trojans’ top pass-rusher this fall, and is widely seen as a great kid who plays his ass off. That said, he’s a little bit of a linebacker/end tweener, and still has to prove he’s big enough, strong enough and fast enough for his game to translate.) (1-23-18): https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/23/senior-bowl-prospects-baker-mayfield-josh-allen-marcus-davenport
Senior Bowl: 10 players who could help the Lions (Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC: In the past, the 3-4 rush linebacker wouldn’t have fit the Lions defense, but if the new coaching staff is looking at a change, or at the very least, more schematic versatility, Nwosu would be in play. He primarily played at the line of scrimmage and showed a nice mix of rush and coverage skills, tallying 9.5 sacks and 13 pass breakups.) (1-22-18): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/01/22/senior-bowl-players-help-lions/109708096/
2018 Senior Bowl preview: Edge Defenders (Another undersized but explosive and productive edge player, Nwosu has made huge strides over the past two seasons, turning himself into one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in this draft. His versatile skill set should allow him to play any linebacker spot at the next level, but his biggest impact comes off the edge as a rusher. A strong performance in Mobile could have him sneaking into the first-round conversation.) (1-21-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/01/21/2018-senior-bowl-preview-edge-defenders/3/
Senior Bowl Preview -- The Defense (We rated USC’s Uchenna Nwosu as a fifth-rounder entering the season, but he boosted his stock into Day 2 territory with a 9.5-sack season. His pursuit skills are as impressive as his pass-rushing chops, and scouts will be watching this week to see if he can maintain the momentum he built up during the season and continue to rise up draft boards.) (1-21-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-preview-defense-0
2018 Senior Bowl: Defensive prospects who can enter first-round talk if they impress (Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC: As is normally the case with players of his size at his position, Nwosu will probably be tested as a traditional off-ball linebacker for some practice reps at the Senior Bowl. The USC star's time spent there won't be that important, because he won't play there often in the NFL. When he gets his opportunities as a stand-up edge-rusher, that's when he'll have to make an impact. Nwosu is a master of using his hands to keep larger offensive tackles off his frame. He's also proficient at using his smaller size to his advantage when bending around the edge. Look for batted passes too. Nwosu knocked down 13 throws last season.) (1-18-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-senior-bowl-defensive-prospects-who-can-enter-first-round-talk-if-they-impress/
2018 NFL Draft: Sam Darnold a playmaker in mold of Tony Romo (Senior Bowl could be launching pad for these 5 prospects - USC OLB Uchenna Nwosu: Nwosu's a little bit underappreciated. I think you could make the case that he's the most improved player in the country. We saw what he can do as a pass rusher on tape, and I can't wait to see what he does in coverage during Senior Bowl week. He came to USC as a safety and has bulked up over the years to emerge as an OLB, but I think we'll see some of those safety skills emerge in the 1-on-1 pass drills against TEs and RBs.) (1-12-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000905575/article/2018-nfl-draft-sam-darnold-a-playmaker-in-mold-of-tony-romo
Trojans to lose some key players, others will stay (USC will lose perhaps its best defensive player in senior outside linebacker and team captain Uchenna Nwosu. Besides his 75 tackles and 9.5 sacks this season, fans will remember Nwosu for his fourth down goal line tackle of Stanford running back Bryce Love III in the fourth quarter of the Pac-12 Championship Game, a key stop in the Trojans’ 31-28 victory. Nwosu is generally regarded as a mid-round prospect; he’s adept as an edge rusher and has the uncanny ability to knock down passes at the line, but he must work on his pass coverage to succeed at the next level.) (1-11-18): https://dailytrojan.com/2018/01/11/trojans-lose-key-players-others-will-stay/
Season in review: USC ends with first conference championship in nearly a decade, falls short of playoff expectations (Outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu was one of their most disruptive players, with 9.5 sacks, second most on the team, along with 11.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, nine QB hurries and 13 pass break-ups. Nwosu, a senior, will be a challenge to replace because of the variety of ways he could put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.) (1-10-18): https://www.ocregister.com/2018/01/10/season-in-review-usc-ends-with-first-conference-championship-in-nearly-a-decade-falls-short-of-playoff-expectations/
Darnold falls short on Cotton Bowl stage (Easily the best player on USC's defense, senior pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu consistently disrupted the Ohio State backfield with his versatile rush attack. On some snaps, he was a traditional edge presence, dipping his shoulder and trying to win the arc. But his most productive plays came as a stand-up rusher over the interior of the offensive line where he used patience, timing and burst to infiltrate the pocket. Nwosu doesn't have elite physical traits that scouts seek in a NFL pass rusher, but he is expected to be a day-two draft selection because he simply gets results. His motor, instincts and toughness help mask his average athleticism in the NFL.) (12-30-17): http://nfldraftscout.com/members/news/cfb_column.php?story_id=186590
USC’s offense shows little life in Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State (The defense stood as tall as possible throughout the first half. The unit held Ohio State to 237 yards, limiting Barrett to 71 passing yards. Rasheem Green and Uchenna Nwosu each notched a sack, while John Houston and Isaiah Langley led at the half with six tackles apiece.) (12-29-17): https://dailytrojan.com/2017/12/29/uscs-offense-shows-little-life-in-cotton-bowl-loss-to-ohio-state/
2018 NFL Draft prospect watch: Cotton Bowl Classic (Uchenna Nwosu has been one of the more productive edge-rushers in the country this season. He only collected five sacks on the season but his pass-rush production also included 20 QB hits and 27 hurries for 52 total pressures on his 477 pass-rushing snaps. Nwosu’s 52 total pressures ranks No. 3 among draft-eligible FBS 3-4 outside linebackers. He also batted 11 passes on the season which leads all FBS defenders, and his 20 QB hits were also No. 1 among all FBS defenders. – @PFF_Jordan) (12-27-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-watch-cotton-bowl-classic
How Uchenna Nwosu’s tackle sent USC to the Cotton Bowl (12-26-17): https://www.ocregister.com/2017/12/26/how-uchenna-nwosus-tackle-sent-usc-to-the-cotton-bowl/
2018 NFL Draft prospects to watch in conference championships (Uchenna Nwosu is an athletic linebacker who can pass-rush effectively from either side of the defense. Nwosu has generated multiple pressures in 11 of his 12 games this season. Nwosu has six sacks, 20 QB hits, 27 hurries and 11 batted passes on his 402 pass-rushing snaps – his 20 QB hits and his 11 batted passes both rank No. 1 among all FBS draft-eligible edge defenders.) (12-1-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-conference-championships
Football begins preparations for Pac-12 Championship (USC held both junior defensive lineman Rasheem Green and junior tight end Tyler Petite out of practice with shoulder injuries) (11-27-17): https://dailytrojan.com/2017/11/27/football-begins-preparations-pac-12-championship/
USC’s Uchenna Nwosu turns life and career around under Helton (11-9-17): https://www.ocregister.com/2017/11/09/from-bowl-suspension-to-defensive-captain-uscs-nwosu-turns-life-and-career-around-under-helton/
USC faced with penalty problems despite win over Arizona (outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (ankle)) (11-6-17): https://www.ocregister.com/2017/11/05/usc-faced-with-penalty-problems-despite-win-over-arizona/
No. 21 USC rebounds with road blowout of Arizona State (USC sacked Wilkins six times — three coming on a career night from junior defensive end Rasheem Green and the other three from senior linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.) (10-28-17): https://dailytrojan.com/2017/10/28/no-21-usc-rebounds-road-blowout-arizona-state/
Trojan defenders on the rise (The USC defender generating the most buzz in scouting circles? That would be outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu. He has steadily put on weight and added strength during his career and he's playing his best ball this fall. As a pass rusher, he can bend the edge and he has a nifty inside counter move. However, even when he can't generate pressure, he makes an impact. He has batted down 8 balls this year and he also recorded an interception (he's among the FBS leaders in passes defensed). As a run defender, he needs to get firmer at the point of attack, but he plays with excellent effort.) (10-13-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000860414/article/early-look-at-teams-that-could-be-in-2018-nfl-draft-qb-market
7 prospects who boosted stock in 2017 season's first month (5. Uchenna Nwosu, LB/DE, USC - 2017 stats: 11 tackles (2 for loss, including 1 sack), 8 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovered - Nwosu did not start in high school until his senior year, though he was playing behind Washington's Keishawn Bierria at Narbonne High in the Los Angeles area. Now, he's coming into his own in his second year as a starter with the Trojans, rushing the passer and racking up eight pass breakups, which is tied for the most in the country. Don't be surprised if his athleticism earns him top-75 grades come April.) (9-28-17): http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000852787
PFF Draft Watch: Draft Board Risers - Week 3 (Edge Uchenna Nwosu, USC - Steve Palazzolo singled out Nwosu in his Edge position overview as a player who had the tools to make a big leap as a pass-rusher this season and that is exactly what has happened as Nwosu has at least one QB hit and one batted pass in three-straight games. Nwosu has yet to collect his first sack in 2017 but sacks don’t tell the story of Nwosu’s disruptive play through three games as he has seven QB hits, eight hurries and a nation-high five batted passes on his 95 pass-rushing snaps. He has 15 total QB pressures and 5 batted passes.) (9-19-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pff-draft-watch-draft-board-risers-week-3
PFF Draft Watch: Week 3 marquee matchups (Texas OT Connor Williams vs USC Edge Uchenna Nwosu - After giving up just four pressures combined all last season, Williams gave up three opening weekend against Maryland. He rebounded with a perfect game against San Jose State last week, but will face a tough challenge this week. Nwosu leads the Trojans with six QB hits and seven total pressures through two games.) (9-15-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pff-draft-watch-week-3-marquee-matchups
2018 NFL Draft Watch: Weekend Overview, Week 2 (USC has a pair of defenders making noise in the early going in edge Uchenna Nwosu and DI Rasheem Green. Both players were outstanding against Stanford with Green picking up two QB hits, two hurries, and a batted pass while Nwosu had an incredible five QB hits, one hurry, and three batted passes on only 24 rushes. Both players combined to supply 10 of USC’s 14 pressures on the night.) (9-12-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-watch-weekend-overview-week-2
Week 2 Risers and Sliders (Uchenna Nwosu/LB/USC: The senior linebacker is someone I’ve enjoyed watching the past three years and while Nwosu may not be the fastest athlete, he is a good football player. He was a force against Stanford, making several outstanding plays in pursuit while also looking strong on the blitz. In my opinion Nwosu is severely underrated in the scouting community, as most feel he’s a last-round pick. We’ve stamped him as a fifth-round prospect, and in many ways he reminds me of former Trojan Devon Kennard, a fifth-round pick of the New York Giants in 2014 who is now entering his fourth season in the league.) (9-11-17): http://draftanalyst.com/week-2-risers-sliders
CFB preview: 10 individual matchups between future NFL stars (5. Texas OT Connor Williams vs. USC OLBs Uchenna Nwosu and Porter Gustin - When: Sept. 16, at USC - The skinny: Williams is one of the top offensive tackles in college football. He plays with outstanding technique, balance and toughness. I love the way he finishes in the run game. Nwosu and Gustin form one of the top outside linebacker duos in the country. Nwosu is extremely athletic, while Gustin is a powerful point-of-attack defender and he possesses outstanding speed to chase plays from the backside. Williams will need to contain these two edge defenders in order for Texas to pull off an upset on the road.(8-16-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000830324/article/cfb-preview-10-individual-matchups-between-future-nfl-stars
2018 NFL Draft Watch: FBS Edge Defender Overview (Uchenna Nwosu, USC: Nwosu is an athletic edge defender who has done his best work against the run to this point (82.3 run defense grade in 2016). He’s still developing as a pass-rusher, but has the tools to take a big leap in that department this season.) (8-14-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-nfl-draft-watch-fbs-edge-defender-overview
Scouting Reports:
Oklahoma Bio: http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208865360
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/ogbonnia-okoronkwo?id=2559945
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=127855&draftyear=2018&genpos=DE
Draft Wire: http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/12/31/ogbonnia-okoronkwo-nfl-draft-profile/
Articles:
Five Lions targets who lost stock at the NFL Scouting Combine (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo: Okoronkwo came into the NFL Combine with some of the best tape out there, showcasing great motor and technique and an array of skills at the college level. That's how he racked up 17.5 tackles for loss as the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season. The question was what he would measure and just how nimble he was. He came in at 6 feet 1 inch, about where he was expected and on the smaller side. He benched an impressive 27 reps at that size, good for second-most among edge defenders. But then he ran the 40 in just 4.77 seconds. He turned out to be a little too muscled-up, one of the risks of trying to maximize a frame that just isn't all that long. Now, he's starting to look as a tweener between an edge defender and a linebacker without the speed to be either at a top level. He's still a good football player, and he should stay firmly on Matt Patricia's radar. He's just not a great athlete, which pushes him more to a mid-round part of the draft.) (3-8-18): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/03/five_lions_targets_who_lost_st.html
NFL Combine Studs and Duds: Defensive Line and Linebackers (Duds - Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma) was my biggest disappointments of the day. He was slower than I anticipated and didn’t look comfortable dropping or rushing in the on-field drills. I still like what I saw in his game performances but he is a guy I will have to revisit and see why I had higher expectations for him.) (3-4-18): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/04/nfl-combine-studs-and-duds-defensive-line-and-linebackers/
2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Recap of DL and LBs (Playing primarily as a stand up edge rusher in a 4-3 scheme at Oklahoma, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo worked out with the linebackers on Sunday afternoon. The Sooner defender did not test well in his first 40 finishing with a time of 4.89. He cleaned it up to run an official 4.77 in his second attempt.) (3-4-18): http://www.optimumscouting.com/news/2018-nfl-scouting-combine-dl-lb-recap
NFL combine preview: Could the Lions take another linebacker in the draft? (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma: Bob Quinn has stocked his linebacker corps with a bunch of cats who can really run. If he's looking to add some girth to the group on Day 2 or maybe Day 3, perhaps Okoronkwo is worth a look. At 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds, he's a wrecking ball capable of some paint-chipping collisions. Analysts will hate his compact build, but he does a good job of leveraging it as a strength with his low center of gravity. He could really help himself this week by showing he can accelerate and run and change direction better than the tape indicates.) (2-27-18): http://www.mlive.com/expo/erry-2018/02/d00f56d266/nfl_combine_preview_could_the.html
Pre-Combine Linebacker Boards Taking Shape (The biggest surprise in my mind was Ogbonnia Okoronkwo of Oklahoma being graded as a last-day pick. On Monday, I stated that anything beyond Round 2 would be great value for Okoronkwo.) (2-23-18): http://draftanalyst.com/pre-combine-linebacker-boards-taking-shape
Monday Musings -- February 19 (Conversely, I feel Sooners linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will be significantly underdrafted. While he’s a little short, measuring just over 6-foot-1 in Mobile, he plays big football. Okoronkwo is strong for his size, holds his ground against blocks and is almost never off his feet. He showed great edge speed during Senior Bowl practices, and on film he showed tremendous lateral quickness and the ability to make plays in space. I’m hearing the third or fourth round for Okoronkwo, but unless he runs a clunker at the combine -- slower than 4.75 -- anything outside of Round 2 will be a bargain.) (2-19-18): http://draftanalyst.com/monday-musings-february-19
The 2018 NFL Draft linebacker class is game-changing (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma: At 6-foot-1, 243-pounds Okoronkwo is built more like an off-the-ball linebacker than an edge-rusher and NFL teams might choose to use him in that capacity to some extent. However, Okoronkwo is blessed with very long 34 1/2″ arms,which when combined with his low pad level allows him to get lower than his opponent and control him with one of his long arms while limiting the area for his opponent to strike him. Okoronkwo’s athleticism and spin move also help him be a deadly pass-rusher. Okoronkwo had 10 sacks, six QB hits and 30 hurries on 355 pass-rushing snaps and backed that up with a two-sack and five-hurry performance in the Senior Bowl.) (2-16-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-the-2018-nfl-draft-linebacker-class-is-game-changing
15 prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft who helped themselves at the Senior Bowl (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge, Oklahoma: (Game – Overall grade: 89.0, Practice – Key stat: Won 50 percent of his pass-rush 1-on-1 reps.) Okoronkwo once again stood out in pass-rush drills and was often too much for running backs or tight ends to block effectively. During the week of practice, Okoronkwo won 50 percent of his 1-on-1 reps, including multiple wins with an inside (five) and an outside (four) move. He finished a strong practice week rushing the passer by replicating his ability to dip around a tackle for a sack in the game. Okoronkwo showed both in practices and in the game that he can be a productive “change of pace” pass-rusher who plays with a lower than normal pad level which makes it difficult for tackles to block him at times.) (1-31-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-15-prospects-for-the-2018-nfl-draft-who-helped-themselves-at-the-senior-bowl
Dane Brugler's draft mailbag: Here's who had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl (Question: Who is your favorite defensive line prospect people aren’t really talking about? Brugler: On the interior, South Florida DT Deadrin Senat. Undersized but productive and will probably be available in the 4th-5th rounds. Also Nathan Shepherd from Fort Hays State. On the outside, USC's Uchenna Nwosu and Oklahoma's Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are both undersized, but talented pass rushers who will play in the league for a long time.) (1-29-18): https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2018/01/29/dane-bruglers-draft-mailbag-impressive-showing-senior-bowl
2018 Reese's Senior Bowl recap: South team wins in blowout fashion (Edge Defender Overview - Oklahoma edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo finished up a strong practice week rushing the passer by replicating his ability to dip around a tackle for a sack in the game. Okoronkwo also showed off a hard inside move for another sack. He showed both in practices and in the game that he can be a productive “change of pace” pass-rusher who plays with a lower-than-normal pad level which makes it difficult for tackles to block him at times. Okorokwo totaled two sacks and five hurries on his 15 pass-rushing snaps.) (1-28-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-reeses-senior-bowl-recap
South club routs North, 45-16, in Senior Bowl; Richmond QB Lauletta wins MVP (Oklahoma's Ogbonnia Okoronkwo also punctuated a strong week by continung to showcase his unique length and quickness with two sacks.) (1-27-18): http://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/01/27/south-club-routs-north-45-16-in-senior-bowl-richmond-qb-lauletta-wins-mvp/abp1tq1/
Senior Bowl notebook: Top 15 performers (4. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/OLB, Oklahoma: At only 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds, Okoronkwo is immediately viewed as a “tweener” by many, but his competitive drive fits any scheme. He lined up primarily with his hand on the ground during practices and used his natural leverage and 34 1/2-inch arms to put blockers on skates. After his productive 2017 season and Senior Bowl practices, Okoronkwo has made a strong case to be a top-five pass rusher in this class.) (1-26-18): http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/01/26/senior-bowl-notebook-top-15-performers/
NFL draft: The most versatile players we saw at the Senior Bowl (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma: A college defensive end, Okoronkwo flashed enough lateral quickness to envision him playing off the ball in some form — perhaps as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Although his size (6-1, 243 pounds) might be limiting in some scouts’ eyes, Okoronkwo backed up a strong season of work for the Sooners with a week of work in Mobile that seemed to get better by the day. One thing working in his favor: 34 1/2-inch arms, which he used to disengage from blockers in one-on-one drills. He even flashed a strong rip move and the requisite quickness to be considered a pass-rush candidate in the NFL with a little more refinement in his technique. The co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year had eight sacks and 17 tackles for a loss in 13 games this season as a defensive end, and in 2016 when the Sooners had him standing up in a LB role, Okoronkwo had nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss.) (1-26-18): http://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/01/26/nfl-draft-the-most-versatile-players-we-saw-at-the-senior-bowl/ad96muz/
Senior Bowl -- North Team Page (Analysis: There’s a lot to like about Okoronkwo’s game, but I like his skills at 3-4 OLB rather than the defensive end position he came out of most of the week. He’s incredibly athletic, quick and uses his hands exceedingly well. Okoronkwo showed outside speed as well as an inside move. He’ll be a solid mid-round pick who’s used as a situational pass rusher at the next level.) (1-26-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-north-team-page
2018 Reese's Senior Bowl Day 3 recap (Oklahoma edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo had another strong day rushing the passer due to his explosion and ability to dip around blockers.) (1-25-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-reeses-senior-bowl-day-3-recap
Senior Bowl 2018: Marcus Davenport shines, Josh Allen stands out on Thursday (On the topic of hand use, Oklahoma outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was masterful getting offensive linemen off-balance with his long arms in both one-on-one and team drills. He beat Crosby on a few reps. Army offensive tackle Brett Toth was the only player I saw stymie Okoronkwo on one snap.) (1-25-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-2018-marcus-davenport-shines-josh-allen-stands-out-on-thursday/
Senior Bowl notebook: Quarterbacks impressive at North practice (On the defensive side of the ball, two pass rushers have consistently stood out: Oklahoma’s Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Rutgers’ Kemoko Turay. Okoronkwo has edge speed, but he often used his power and reach to force his way through blockers, staying low and winning with leverage.) (1-25-18): http://nfldraftscout.com/members/news/cfb_column.php?story_id=188054
Senior Bowl -- North Team Page (Thurs: Showed tremendous quickness and athleticism all day. Displayed an amazing first step off the snap, speed off the edge and a nice inside move which enabled him to beat Tyrell Crosby.) (1-25-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-north-team-page
2018 SENIOR BOWL DAY 2 NORTH: JOSH ALLEN SHOWS PROMISE, OL STAND OUT (Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has routinely displayed a physical, effective play style as an edge rusher all season, but he showed some real ability in 1 on 1 coverage drills today. He isn’t the smoothest or most fluid athlete, but he had a really nice play vs. standout Kalen Ballage on a wheel route down the left boundary that turned some heads. He was able to stay attached to Ballage’s hip pocket running downfield and he did a nice job getting his head around and his hand up when the ball came his way. While he stills projects as a tweener edge rusher, his impressive display in coverage leaves reason to believe he could have the ability to transition into an off-ball linebacker as the draft process continues.) (1-24-18): http://www.optimumscouting.com/news/2018-senior-bowl-day-2-north-josh-allen-shows-prom
Senior Bowl -- North Team Page (Wed: Very quick, athletic and explosive. He struggles out of a three-point stance if he doesn’t get the first step on blockers yet shows excellent edge speed and quickly gets up the field. Okoronkwo occasionally stood up over tackle as a 3-4 OLB and looked solid.) (1-24-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-north-team-page
Arthur Arkush's Senior Bowl Day 2 notebook: UCF TE Akins seizes his opportunity (Oklahoma DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo took a big step forward Wednesday after he appeared to be a bit stagnant as a rusher in his first practice. With 34 ½-inch arms despite just a 6-1, 243-pound frame, the former Sooner who also has terrific first-step quickness seemingly has limitless upside. Okoronkwo was a menace in team drills and also had more success in his individual matchups than Tuesday.) (1-24-18): http://www.profootballweekly.com/2018/01/25/arthur-arkushs-senior-bowl-day-2-notebook-ucf-te-akins-seizes-his-opportunity/ai1cien/
PFF's 2018 Senior Bowl coverage (Oklahoma edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo easily wins in his first pass-rush drill of the afternoon. Okoronkwo wins again in the pass-rush drill, proving too much for any tight end to block him along the edge.) (1-24-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-pffs-2018-senior-bowl-coverage
2018 Reese's Senior Bowl Day 2 recap (Oklahoma linebacker/edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo once again stood out in pass-rush drills and was often too much for running backs or tight ends to block effectively.) (1-24-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-reeses-senior-bowl-day-2-recap
PFF's 2018 Senior Bowl coverage (Oklahoma edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo easily wins in his first pass-rush drill of the afternoon. Okoronkwo wins again in the pass-rush drill, proving too much for any tight end to block him along the edge.) (1-24-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-pffs-2018-senior-bowl-coverage
2018 SENIOR BOWL: DAY 1 NORTH/SOUTH PRACTICE NOTES (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma, put together an inconsistent day filled with high moments and underwhelming moments. Okoronkwo went to a reliable up and under move to fluster the outside shoulder of the tackle. Okoronkwo lined up on the left and right sides to rush the passer. He won with quickness when bending the edge on 11 versus 11 showing elite flexibility. If live play, the Oklahoma pass rusher would have come up with two sacks. One of his pressures resulted in an interception. He looked to be doing too much in some of the one on one reps not being able to successfully execute a couple of spin moves losing balance and control more times than most would like to see.) (1-23-18): http://www.optimumscouting.com/news/2018-senior-bowl-day-1-north-and-south-practice-re
Senior Bowl 2018: Observations from the first two practices in Mobile, Alabama (Oklahoma outside linebaker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo utilized his length often in one-on-one drills, not allowing offensive linemen to get into his frame. He set the edge well in team drills and played a pitch perfectly later in the session.) (1-23-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-2018-observations-from-the-first-two-practices-in-mobile-alabama/
Senior Bowl notebook, Day One (Pitt OT Brian O'Neil was, shall we say, resourceful in his individual battles. It wasn't always pretty, but he got the job done. Conversely, Oklahoma DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo's first-step quickness was blinding, and he showed some creativity with a spin move, but there was no counter or closing ability that we observed.) (1-23-18): www.profootballweekly.com/2018/01/24/senior-bowl-notebook-day-one/aviclbz/
Senior Bowl -- North Team Page (Tues: Another first-step lineman, Okoronkwo explodes off the snap and shows a lot of speed but consistently gets handled by blockers. He had his moments the few times he stood up over tackle.) (1-23-18): http://draftanalyst.com/senior-bowl-north-team-page
Senior Bowl: Weigh-in observations (Oklahoma’s Ogbonnia Okoronkwo lacks elite height (6-1 3/8-inches) for a defensive end, but his 243-pound frame was sculpted with impressive 34 1/2-inch arms. Despite his shorter stature, he had a great morning.) (1-23-18): http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/01/23/senior-bowl-weighin-observations/
Twentyman: Senior Bowl participants to watch (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma, 6-1, 240: The PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 was 205 pounds when he first got to Oklahoma. He bulked up and recorded 17.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks in 2017, giving him 29.0 tackles for loss and 17.0 sacks over the past two seasons.) (1-23-18): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Senior-Bowl-participants-to-watch/50e85598-37f5-4670-af4c-5e76e25bbeb9
2018 Senior Bowl preview: Edge Defenders (Call him undersized if you want, but there’s nothing small about the impact Okoronkwo has on opposing quarterbacks. With an explosive first step, quick hands and great bend, Okoronkwo constantly frustrates would-be protectors, despite his smaller frame. Look for him to dominate in 1-on-1 drills all week, taking advantage of his athleticism advantage.) (1-21-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/01/21/2018-senior-bowl-preview-edge-defenders/3/
The Big 12's top 10 defensive NFL draft prospects: Texas Longhorns dominate the list (2. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/OLB, Oklahoma: At 6-feet and 240 pounds, Okoronkwo doesn't have the ideal measurements for an edge rusher, which will likely push him down draft boards. However, his burst, balance and bend around the edge gives offensive tackles headaches. He's isn't very creative and offenses know what is coming, but that doesn't mean it is easy to slow him down.) (1-11-18): https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2018/01/11/breaking-big-12s-best-defensive-nfl-draft-prospects-longhorns-dominate-list
2018 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Da'Ron Payne dominant in College Football Playoff (13. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB, Oklahoma: Playing much more off-ball linebacker than I expected against Georgia, Okoronkwo rushed Jake Fromm 21 times and only generated one hurry, per PFF. He knifed through the Bulldogs' underrated offensive line frequently against the run, and set the edge well as usual. If used primarily as an outside rusher, Okoronkwo has the athleticism and nuance when getting to the quarterback to be a productive NFL player right away.) (1-9-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-daron-payne-dominant-in-college-football-playoff/
2018 NFL Draft prospect watch: CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl (Edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has been one of the most consistent and productive players at his position this year, both on the pass-rush and in run defense. He has registered 10 sacks, 4 QB hits, 31 QB hurries and 45 total quarterback pressures, and his 86.5 grade against the run ranks 11th among all edge players this year. A huge part of his high run grades has been his finishing ability, as his 26 run stops ties him for sixth among 3-4 outside linebackers eligible for the 2018 NFL draft. – @PFF_Josh) (12-31-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-watch-cfp-semifinal-rose-bowl
Dane Brugler's Stock Report: Michigan’s Hurst could be No. 1 senior (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/OLB, Oklahoma, rSR. (6-0, 242, 4.78, #31): If the Oklahoma jerseys didn’t have names or numbers, one would still be able to easily spot Okoronkwo because he always has the dirtiest uniform on the field. And that was certainly the case against Texas as the Houston native lived in the Longhorns’ backfield, finishing with five tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and five quarterback hurries. At 6-0 and 245 pounds, Okoronkwo doesn’t have the prototypical build of an edge rushers, but he rushes with the initial burst and balance to bend the edge and infiltrate the pocket. While he is short, he certainly isn’t small, sporting a muscle-bound frame with the core strength to fight off blocks and maintain his forward momentum through contact. Okoronkwo needs to expand his pass rush repertoire, which especially shows if he doesn’t win with his first step, but he earns extra points for his relentless nature, leaving it all out on the field (hence the dirty jersey each week). Although he doesn’t fit the traditional mold of what NFL teams look for at the position, Okoronkwo has intriguing tape and shows flashes of Yannick Ngakoue.) (10-17-17): http://www.lindyssports.com/college-football/article/headline/stock-report-michigans-hurst-could-be-no-1-senior/452200/
2018 NFL draft watch: LSU's D.J. Chark heads list of sleepers climbing the draft board (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/OLB, Oklahoma — Texas did not have an answer for Okoronkwo, as he recorded five tackles, a strip sack and five QB hurries. The 6-1, 240-pound senior looks like he might fall somewhere in rounds 2-4.) (10-15-17): http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/2018-nfl-draft-watch-ncaa-fbs-stars-highlights-sleepers-dj-chark/10ptpc793lxanzqzx51ch0t1u
2018 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Week 7 (Edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has posted 19 total pressures this season, and is ranked second among Big 12 edge players in pass-rush productivity.) (10-13-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-in-week-7
2018 NFL Draft Watch: Weekend Overview, Week 2 (Oklahoma edge defender Ogbonnia Okoronkwo stepped up on a national stage with two sacks against Ohio State. He had 5 defensive stop.) (9-12-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-watch-weekend-overview-week-2
PFF Draft Watch: Oklahoma edge Okoronkwo steps up big against OSU (9-10-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pff-draft-watch-oklahoma-edge-okoronkwo-steps-up-big-against-osu
PFF Draft Watch: Week 2 marquee matchups (Edge Okoronkwo vs LT Jones - While these two didn’t face off often in last year’s contest, Okoronkwo was able to twice defeat Jones on inside moves, and considering the Oklahoma standout played 23 of his 36 snaps last week from the right side of the Sooner defense, this matchup could be more heavily featured in Saturday’s rematch. Okoronkwo’s inside moves were on display throughout 2016, as he notched an inside pressure once every 10.4 pass rushes, the best ratio among 2018 edge prospects. While Jones gave up just one sack and six hits last year, his ratio of one inside pressure for every 49 pass blocking reps ranks just 90th among returning tackles.) (9-8-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pff-draft-watch-week-2-marquee-matchups
2018 Prospect Preview: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo looks to build off his breakout 2016 (8-21-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-prospect-preview-ogbonnia-okoronkwo-looks-to-build-off-his-breakout-2016
2018 NFL Draft Watch: FBS Edge Defender Overview (Keep an eye on Ohio State’s Tyquan Lewis who ranked eighth in the draft class with a pass-rush productivity of 13.3 and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo who led the way at 18.6 as a movable chess piece on Oklahoma’s defense.) (8-14-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-nfl-draft-watch-fbs-edge-defender-overview
Top 5 FBS players, per position, entering the 2017 season: Defense (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma - The Good: Led all draft-eligible pass-rushers with a pass rush productivity of 18.6 with nine sacks, 14 QB hits, and 36 hurries on his 262 rushes last season. Room to Improve: Needs to do a better job of finishing plays as he’s missed 14 of his 78 career tackle attempts.) (8-8-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/top-5-fbs-players-per-position-entering-the-2017-season-defense
LB Roquan Smith:
Scouting Reports:
Georgia Bio: http://georgiadogs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1105
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/roquan-smith?id=2559899
NFL Draft Scout: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=1002529&draftyear=2018&genpos=ILB
Draft Wire: http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/12/29/roquan-smith-nfl-draft-profile/
Walterfootball: http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2018rsmith.php
Articles:
Combine Notes: Day 6 (Lorenzo Carter and Roquan Smith of Georgia both had terrific combine workouts. Carter, who I’ve always believed was a first-round talent, ran under 4.5 in the 40, bested everyone in his group with a broad jump of 10-feet-10-inches and posted a vertical jump of 39.5 inches. Roquan Smith ran 4.51 and will do the rest of the drills at his pro day. I have been informed both players were red-flagged medically by a number of teams due to past injury history. While I don’t expect the medical evaluations to be a drag on the draft stock of Carter and Smith, it is something likely to be part of the debate on draft day when each player is being considered.) (3-5-18): http://draftanalyst.com/combine-notes-day-6
Mike Mayock's takeaways from Day 3 of combine (Roquan Smith, Georgia: Combine the athleticism and sideline-to-sideline speed of Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones with the leadership and work ethic of former Pro Bowler Jonathan Vilma, and Mayock says you get Roquan Smith. Or maybe the version we saw at Georgia. Despite weighing in 11 pounds heavier at the combine than his listed weight last year (225), he ran an impressive 4.51 in the 40. Mayock's takeaway: "I think he's a plug-and-play off-the-ball linebacker. People are going to love Roquan Smith.") (3-4-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000919286/article/mike-mayocks-takeaways-from-day-3-of-combine
2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Recap of DL and LBs (Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith and Washington defensive lineman Vita Vea had their days cut short after tweaking their hamstrings in the 40-yard dash. Smith posted a 4.58 in his first run and Vea posted an official 5.10.) (3-4-18): http://www.optimumscouting.com/news/2018-nfl-scouting-combine-dl-lb-recap
2018 NFL combine: What we learned from DL and LB weigh-ins and measurements (LB winners - Roquan Smith, Georgia. Some expected the former Georgia stud to measure in right at 6-foot and weigh somewhere in the 220s, which would've ramped up the "undersized" talk. Nearly 6-foot-1 and north of 235 pounds are fantastic figures for Smith.) (3-2-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-combine-what-we-learned-from-dl-and-lb-weigh-ins-and-measurements/
NFL combine preview: Could the Lions take another linebacker in the draft? (Roquan Smith, Georgia: Perhaps the most complete linebacker in this year's draft. He racked up 137 tackles en route to the national championship game last season, which was seventh best in the country, and 14 were for loss. That was seventh among linebackers. Add Smith to a rotation that already features Davis and Reeves-Maybin, and the Lions would have one of the youngest and most athletic linebacker corps in the league. But like Edmunds, it would take a first-round pick to get it done. And would Bob Quinn really spend a second straight first-round pick at linebacker? With so many other needs to consider? It sure is fun to think about though) (2-27-18): http://www.mlive.com/expo/erry-2018/02/d00f56d266/nfl_combine_preview_could_the.html
Pre-Combine Linebacker Boards Taking Shape (Three linebackers stand well above the rest of the pack: Tremaine Edmunds of Virginia Tech, Roquan Smith of Georgia and Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State. Teams are split as to whether Smith will line up inside or outside at the next level. Concerns on Smith surround deficiencies in man-coverage situations and an inability to make plays with his back to the ball when defending tight ends and running backs on passing downs. It’s a concern I agree with off the film, and while Smith shows ability in zone, he reminds me of New York Jets’ 2016 first-round pick Darron Lee when asked to play in man situations.) (2-23-18): http://draftanalyst.com/pre-combine-linebacker-boards-taking-shape
NFL Combine preview: Prospects who need to measure up (Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia: While he is outstanding with his speed and instincts, Smith’s lack of ideal height and length are the main issues with his next-level transition. For linebacker-needy teams outside the top 10, they are hoping Smith comes in shorter than expected to create doubt and the possibility that he will slide down draft boards.) (2-21-18): http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/02/21/nfl-combine-preview-prospects-who-need-to-measure-up/
Top 2018 NFL Draft linebackers by coverage grade (2. Roquan Smith: Smith is a fantastic all-around player who graded well in all three defensive phases this year. In terms of coverage, Smith has excelled at minimizing gains after the catch, as opponents averaged just 5.7 yards per catch into his coverage while at Georgia and his 29 coverage stops in 2017 was a figure that stood among the best in the country.) (2-19-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-top-2018-nfl-draft-linebackers-by-coverage-grade
2018 Combine Preview: Linebacker (Roquan Smith - Best traits: Speed. He is a true sideline-to-sideline defender that can chase down any runner. He amassed 137 tackles this past season with 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Concern: He is a bit undersized at 225 pounds. Skinny: Smith can stay on the field for all three downs because of his speed, instincts and cover skills. He's a plug-and-play player right away.) (2-19-18): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/nfl-scouting-combine/article-1/2018-Combine-Preview-Linebacker/c74b4e10-c664-4d4b-b7fd-e218a73e8510
The 2018 NFL Draft linebacker class is game-changing (Roquan Smith: Smith is built in the traditional mold of a WILL linebacker at 6-foot, 225-pounds and is athletic enough to cover players in space and to chase run plays down like a weak-side linebacker. Smith also plays with tremendous stopping power to bring ball carriers to a complete stop while he has a keen ability to come up with key short-yardage run stops much like a middle linebacker. His 45 run stops tied him at No. 17 among all FBS draft-eligible inside linebackers, and Smith can also use his speed and athleticism to rush the passer, registering eight sacks, two QB hits and 12 hurries on just 54 pass-rushing snaps. His pass-rushing productivity rating of 28.4 ranked No. 2 among all FBS draft-eligible inside linebackers. Smith was so consistently productive in 2017 that he graded positively in all 15 games he played. He is quick to diagnose the play and even quicker to the ball once he finds it, and this combination of recognition and athleticism will allow Smith to impact the game in a number of ways for his new NFL defense.) (2-16-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-the-2018-nfl-draft-linebacker-class-is-game-changing
2018 NFL Draft: This class will provide wave of the future at the linebacker position (2-14-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-draft-this-class-will-provide-wave-of-the-future-at-the-linebacker-position/
Monday Musings -- February 12 (While everyone gushes over Roquan Smith, I can’t say enough about Georgia teammate Lorenzo Carter. Carter lacks the quickness of Smith but is a better pass rusher, plays with more force and is also effective in space. His 40 time at the combine, specifically his 10-yard split, will be closely watched, as Carter takes a while to get going and has more built-up speed compared to Smith, who’s just downright explosive.) (2-12-18): http://draftanalyst.com/monday-musings-february-12
Hello From Mobile! (From the ranks of the underclassmen, people say highly rated junior Roquan Smith has the body type of a safety more than a linebacker. Physical comparisons are being made to Shaq Thompson, the Panthers’ 2015 first-round selection.) (1-22-18): http://draftanalyst.com/hello-mobile-0
2018 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Da'Ron Payne dominant in College Football Playoff (4. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia: Smith was quiet in the first half of the Rose Bowl, then looked like the best player on the field as Georgia put the clamps down on the most explosive offense in college football in the final two quarters. He had two impact stops in overtime to force Oklahoma into field goal attempts, the second of which was blocked and helped the Bulldogs earn a trip to the national title game. His blend of power and speed are unparalleled in this draft class at the linebacker spot.) (1-9-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-daron-payne-dominant-in-college-football-playoff/
2018 NFL draft prospect National Championship recap (LB Roquam Smith, overall grade 86.0 - Smith, like the aforementioned Baker, was absolutely stifling all over the field against the Crimson Tide. He rushed the passer just four times, but recorded a sack and a hurry, brought in 11 total tackles including six stops and in 37 snaps in coverage, was targeted just once and allowed just one yard on the reception. Smith is arguably the most all-around talented linebacker in the country and all of his skills were on display on the biggest stage, further cementing his claim to possibly be the first linebacker drafted in April.) (1-9-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-nfl-draft-prospect-national-championship-recap
What we learned from scouting National Championship Game (On the other side of the field, Georgia LB Roquan Smith flashed once again on Monday night. He's a perfect player for today's NFL. I love his instincts and speed. He makes plays sideline to sideline. He can run and cover. He's helped himself this postseason. I was very impressed with him last week against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl and he carried that momentum over to the title game.) (1-9-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000904478/article/what-we-learned-from-scouting-national-championship-game
Alabama vs. Georgia: Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Jalen Hurts headline title game stars (Linebacker Roquan Smith: Georgia's leader on defense was among the most individually decorated players in college football this season. Smith was a unanimous All-American selection, the Butkus Award winner for outstanding linebacker and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year as voted by both the conference's coaches and the Associated Press.) (1-9-18): https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/alabama-vs-georgia-nick-chubb-sony-michel-jalen-hurts-headline-title-game-stars/
Alabama vs. Georgia: Which prospects may interest Lions in NFL draft? (LB Roquan Smith (wears No. 3): The Lions drafted a pair of linebackers last year in Jarrad Davis and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, so they probably won't spend many resources on the position this year. But Smith is a heck of a player, the leader of the Georgia defense and someone who would at least have to be in the discussion if he made it to pick No. 20.) (1-8-18): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/01/08/national-championship-game-detroit-lions-nfl-draft/1012497001/
Top-10 2018 draft prospects playing on Monday night (2. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia. A sideline-to-sideline wrecker, he’s drawing comparisons to Jon Beason—when the linebacker was coming out of Miami—based on his stature and nose for the ball. He was excellent in both the SEC title game (13 tackles, sack) and the Rose Bowl (11 tackles), and figures to get a lot of work against the Tide’s vaunted run game.) (1-8-18): https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/08/georgia-alabama-nfl-draft-national-title-championship-game-top-prospects-minkah-fitzpatrick-roquan
Top 17 future NFL stars to watch in national championship game (2. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia: Smith looked the part of the Butkus Award winner against Oklahoma. He spied quarterback Baker Mayfield, attacked running backs inside when free, and performed his typical magic by attacking plays to the outside. Smith will likely be in charge of keeping Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts' runs contained, as well. His lack of bulk caused him issues at times against the Sooners, as he struggled to get off blocks. But when his D-line did their jobs in keeping his jersey clean, his speed, instincts and aggressiveness showed why he will be an immediate starting inside 'backer at the next level.) (1-4-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000902788/article/top-17-future-nfl-stars-to-watch-in-national-championship-game
Best pro fits for 2018 NFL draft prospects in the College Football Playoff final (Roquan Smith - Best fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals - With two-plus years of excellent film, Smith will be a potential Day 1 commodity come draft time. He flies around the field, capable of diagnosing and finishing plays as well as any linebacker in the country. Smith graded at 87.4 overall last season, and his 90.1 overall grade this year ranks fourth in the nation, including the No. 2 mark in coverage at 90.5. He’s exactly what the NFL needs, as he plays with great range in coverage. He’s also a sure tackler, missing only 15 of his 238 career tackle attempts. The Chargers already have an excellent coverage unit, but they can use an upgrade at linebacker while the Raiders and Bengals had issues covering in the middle of the field this season. Last season, Alabama’s Reuben Foster received top-10 overall hype, and Smith may get the same this draft season.) (1-3-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-best-pro-fits-for-2018-nfl-draft-prospects-in-the-college-football-playoff-final
2018 NFL draft: Top prospects to watch in the National Championship (LB Roquan Smith: Much like Fitzpatrick does for the Tide, Smith is the instinctive, athletic playmaker you’ll see making plays from sideline to sideline for the Bulldogs Monday night, leading the charge for one of the nation’s most fearsome defenses. A physical presence in the middle, Smith’s explosiveness and hard-hitting style make him a constant headache for opposing offenses, as Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners found out the hard way in the Rose Bowl. A similar player to 2017 first-round pick Reuben Foster, Smith won’t have to wait long to hear his name called on draft day.) (1-2-18): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/01/02/2018-nfl-draft-georgia-alabama-top-prospects-national-championship/2/
2018 NFL Draft Watch: Georgia's Sony Michel, Nick Chubb among New Year's Day standouts (Georgia's defense may have gotten torn up for 531 total yards but linebacker Roquan Smith impressed many with his closing speed on tackles in the flats and strength to push back offensive lineman. The 6-1, 225-pound Smith, a Butkus Award winner, led the Bulldogs with 11 tackles Monday. He's a likely top-10 pick.) (1-2-18): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospects-georgia-oklahoma-clemson-alabama-michigan/fwcmwnj971cr1q7a1z9svole7
Top 10 NFL Draft prospects in College Football Playoff (Roquan Smith - As fundamentally and football IQ-proficient of a linebacker as you’ll find at the college level, Smith is one of the most NFL-ready linebackers in recent draft history. His read and react skills off the snap, coupled with textbook lateral footwork and positioning, has allowed him to maximize his talent. A sound tackler in space and working with strength inside, Smith likely fits only as an inside linebacker at the NFL level, as his pass coverage range and overall length likely don’t make him a fit on the perimeter. But his ability to plug in as an interior, NFL-ready run stopper will be alluring to teams within the top 20 picks.) (1-1-18): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/list/nfl-draft-prospects-college-football-playoff-clemson-oklahoma-georgia-alabama/1vy9nwy052uw61fchjhw9156mm/slide/7
2018 NFL Draft prospect watch: CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl (The Georgia defense has collectively been outstanding this year, but linebacker Roquan Smith is the clear “top dawg.” His 14.5 run stop percentage ranks sixth among all FBS linebackers this year, and his 61 total stops ranks fourth among 2018 draft prospects at his position. Even more impressive is the fact he’s missed just two total tackles this season, helping him rank third in tackling efficiency among all linebackers with at least 300 total snaps.) (12-31-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-prospect-watch-cfp-semifinal-rose-bowl
Top 25 future NFL stars to watch in New Year's Day bowl games (8. Roquan Smith, LB, GeorgiaL Smith, the 2017 Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker, will have his hands full against Oklahoma's balanced offensive attack. His ability to cover the entire field, however, will make it difficult for the Sooners to break off big runs. This Bulldog gives no quarter whether he's chasing a quarterback or plugging a hole inside.) (12-29-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000899828/article/top-25-future-nfl-stars-to-watch-in-new-years-day-bowl-games
Scouting CFB Playoff: Baker Mayfield can punch Round 1 ticket (2. Will Georgia LB Roquan Smith be this year's Reuben Foster? Smith had a huge game against Auburn in the SEC title game (13 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 2 fumble recoveries) and is receiving enormous grades from evaluators around the league. He's one of the more consistent defensive players in the country. Last year in the postseason, Foster put on a show for Alabama and became a first-round pick of the 49ers in the spring. I'm anxious to see how Smith will stack up against what Foster did last year. The battles between Smith and Mayfield in the Rose Bowl will be fun to watch.) (12-27-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000886495/article/scouting-cfb-playoff-baker-mayfield-can-punch-round-1-ticket
NFL Draft: Prospects to watch in each college football bowl game (Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia (JR): Smith is a big factor against the run, quickly diagnosing and bursting out of his stance to track the ball carrier. His long speed could be in question, but he still shows enough lateral quickness out of his breaks to hunt down the ball carrier.) (12-26-17): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/nfl-draft-prospects-college-football-bowl-games-grades-analysis/efidru6bmary13kqi5ju6f37m
Sources Tell Us: Roquan Smith rising; Buzz for Royce Freeman (The scoop: "Great player. Really fun to watch because he can get to just about any play on the field and he's only going to get better. You would love to play him inside but he might have to slide to WILL (weakside linebacker)." -- AFC executive on Georgia LB Roquan Smith. The skinny: Smith is fast and physical. He showed noticeable improvement from last season to 2017. Smith is a former high school receiver and possesses high-end athletic traits, which carry him to more tackle opportunities than most linebackers see. His instincts are solid and he has the ability to cover some of the most athletic running backs in space. Smith's tackle production, speed and three-down talent make him one of the most talked about prospects in college football right now. He has a great opportunity to help himself even more against Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.) (12-14-17): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000892832/article/sources-tell-us-roquan-smith-rising-buzz-for-royce-freeman
Here's why Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith deserved legit Heisman Trophy love (12-10-17): https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/heres-why-georgia-linebacker-roquan-smith-deserved-legit-heisman-trophy-love/
2017 PFF All-American Team (Linebacker: Joe Giles-Harris, Duke; Roquan Smith, Georgia; Ja’Whaun Bentley, Purdue - Smith has been the heart and soul of Georgia’s playoff-caliber defense and he finished with the nation’s No. 3 grade in coverage (89.8) while ranking third with 65 total stops.) (12-7-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2017-pff-all-american-team
Stock Report: Roquan Smith confirms status as college’s top LB (Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia, JR. (6-0, 224, 4.64, #3): In my recent mock draft, only one linebacker made the cut and surfaced in the first round: Smith to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 15 overall. And in the SEC Championship Game against Auburn, the junior only reinforced his status as a potential top-15 draft pick if he chooses to declare. Smith finished with a game-high 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries, earning the game’s MVP honors. The performance was basically a microcosm of the dominance he has shown all season, proving himself to be the most valuable player on a Bulldogs’ defense full of future pros. The term “sideline-to-sideline” speed is often overused for linebackers, but Smith deserves that description because of his quick first step to track the ball, followed by the reaction to unlock and close on the ball-carrier, finishing with the balance and physicality to shut down the run. As if his weekend wasn’t already impressive enough, Smith was recognized as the winner of the Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) Sunday night in a surprise ceremony during Georgia’s end-of-season awards event.) (12-5-17): http://tsxfiles.com/blog/2017/12/05/stock-report-roquan-smith-confirms-status-as-colleges-top-lb/
2018 NFL Draft Watch: Ronald Jones as ready to contribute as Sam Darnold (Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia — If there was a play where Smith's name was not called in Georgia's SEC Championship victory over Auburn it was few and far between. The junior linebacker had 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and two fumble recoveries to lead a superb defensive effort by the Bulldogs. Smith has a non-stop motor and shows great leadership skills on the field for one of the best defenses in the country. He could go very high in the draft this year if he decides to come out.) (12-3-17): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-draft-watch-ronald-jones-as-ready-to-contribute-as-sam-darnold/7yasck2t95t1ztbtz1337xd0
Georgia's top prospects deliver, Bulldogs get revenge on Auburn for SEC title (Roquan Smith is widely regarded as one of the top linebackers in this year’s class, and he proved why with an impressive showing against the Tigers, racking up 13 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a sack) (12-2-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/12/02/georgia-auburn-sec-championship-game-roquan-smith-nick-chubb-sony-michel/
Prospect matchups in the SEC Title Game (Georgia has two linebackers, Lorenzo Carter and Roquan Smith, who grade as top-45 picks. Roquan Smith lacks the size of Carter but is faster, much better sideline to sideline and plays with a nastier attitude. Smith is terrific in pursuit and has a large degree of scheme versatility in his game.) (12-2-17): http://draftanalyst.com/prospect-matchups-sec-title-game
Week 11 Prospect Matchups (Then there are some in the scouting community who believe Roquan Smith is the best Georgia linebacker for the next level. The junior, whom I’m told will enter next April’s draft, is not as stout at the point compared to his teammate but is faster and more effective in pursuit. With many teams casting aside measurables for speed at the linebacker position, Smith -- a Week 5 riser -- is poised to be a top-60 selection.) (11-10-17): http://draftanalyst.com/week-11-prospect-matchups
Tuesday Draft Notes -- 8.0 (Some insiders I’ve spoken with feel Roquan Smith of Georgia, a Week 5 riser, is the top linebacker on the Bulldogs defense. Considering the talent Georgia lines up at the position, that’s high praise. As we reported two weeks ago during Tuesday Draft Notes 6.0, sources tell me they expect Smith to enter the draft.) (11-1-17): http://draftanalyst.com/tuesday-draft-notes-80
No inside linebacker has more solo tackles or more stops without missing a tackle against the run than Georgia's Roquan Smith. (29 tackles in run defense; 21 stops in run defense) (10-19-17): https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/921066173629915136
Roquan Smith emerging as 1st-round prospect for top-5 Georgia (10-12-17): http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/10/12/roquan-smith-georgia-bulldogs-2018-nfl-draft/
Week 5 Risers and Sliders (Roquan Smith/LB/Georgia: The Bulldogs are 5-0 and the class of the SEC East. They have dominated opponents with defense, and the UGA linebackers have led the way. Smith is the leader of the linebacker unit and once again displayed next-level ability during Saturday's 41-0 victory over Tennessee. Smith led all defenders with 11 tackles, the third time in five games he led the Bulldogs in this category. Smith is a tough, smart linebacker who stacks well against the run. He shows a great head for the ball and makes plays in the box as well as out in space. Measuring right around 6-foot and 225 pounds, he’s a run-and-chase linebacker who’ll add value on special teams at the next level.) (10-2-17): http://draftanalyst.com/week-5-risers-sliders
PFF Draft Watch: Georgia LB Roquan Smith impresses against Tennessee (10-1-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pff-draft-watch-georgia-lb-roquan-smith-impresses-against-tennessee
Forget scouting -- these players are just fun to watch (McShay: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia: Smith is the biggest standout on a loaded Georgia defense that ranks eighth nationally (11.5 points per game). Coach Kirby Smart recently compared Smith to former Alabama standout C.J. Mosley and I can see it. Smith is always around the ball, fast and can cover sideline-to-sideline.) (9-25-17): http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20808268/mel-kiper-todd-mcshay-name-their-favorite-college-football-players-watch
2018 NFL Draft Stock - Week 3 (Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia: Scouting sources have been raving about Smith this year, and he has been tremendous for Georgia. Smith had a great game against Notre Dame in Week 2 and has been all over the field for the Bulldogs. The fast and instinctive Smith flies around the field, making tackles while also showing the ability to play in pass coverage. In 2017 Smith has 19 tackles with one sack, and one pass batted. The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder has drawn comparisons to the Buccaneers' Lavonte David and the Falcons' Deion Jones. Jones could end up being a second-round pick if he keeps up his impressive play.) (9-19-17): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018stock_03.php
2018 Prospect Preview: Roquan Smith stands out as top LB in the SEC (8-18-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-prospect-preview-roquan-smith-stands-out-as-top-lb-in-the-sec
Top 5 FBS players, per position, entering the 2017 season: Defense (Roquan Smith, Georgia - The Good: Solid zone defender who closes quickly on the ball and makes the plays in front of him. Allowed a first down on only 16.7 percent of his targets, sixth best in the draft class. Room to Improve: Missed 12 of his 97 tackle attempts in 2016 and with only 697 career snaps, it’s crucial that he puts together another strong season in 2017.) (8-8-17): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/top-5-fbs-players-per-position-entering-the-2017-season-defense
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