speedkilz88
04-11-2005, 05:50 PM
Shawne Merriman (6-4 1/4 273) Maryland (S.4.63) R. 9.3
A hybrid OLB/DE, Merriman is a rare combination of both great athlete and great player. He won three varsity letters as a three year starter at prep level in Maryland, earning all-state recognition and state Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. He was also an All-American after recording 158 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two blocked punts as a senior. He set the school record for career tackles with 443 and had eight career interceptions. A three year starter on the basketball court, he averaged 13.2 points and 16.3 rebounds per game as a junior.
As a true freshman with the Terps in 2002, Merriman played in every game, starting one. He had 49 total tackles including six tackles for loss and five sacks, while also pressuring the quarterback and knocking down five passes. The highlight of his freshman season was an eight-tackle day at North Carolina, where he picked up three sacks, forced a fumble, and batted down two passes.
Merriman started five of the 13 games in which he played in 2003, and wound up leading the Terps with 8.5 sacks He was credited with 55 total tackles, 9.5 TFLs, two fumble recoveries, three pass break-ups, and a team-high 13 QB hurries. He was in on six stops with a pass break-up at Wake Forest; he had six tackles, two sacks, four qb hurries, and a pass deflection against Clemson; and he had a fumble recovery and four solo tackles against Duke. Merriman again led Maryland in sacks in 2004, again posting 8.5. He increased his total tackles to 85, his TFLs to 13.5, and added two pass break-ups, 10 QB pressures, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery to his dossier. His dominating performances as a junior included the Northern Illinois game (10 tackles, sack), vs Virginia (10 tackles), and against Wake Forest (12 tackles, 2.5 sacks).
He played as a defensive end for most of his three seasons in College Park, but his effectiveness wasn't limited to just rushing the passer. Wherever the ball went on the field, you noticed where #45 was at all times. He's pretty instinctive and was productive. His athletic ability gives him the versatility to play as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, a la Joey Porter or Peter Boulware, or as a defensive end in a 4-3 alignment, in the mold of a Jason Taylor.
Merriman is also tremendous in the weight room, benching 400 pounds, squatting 600, and posting a 41" vertical leap, which is the highest in Maryland history by a defensive lineman.
*Merriman's not just a workout warrior, though; he can play, and his athleticism and natural physical skills make him an attractive choice because of the versatility he brings to the table. *Combine Note: Didn't workout.
A hybrid OLB/DE, Merriman is a rare combination of both great athlete and great player. He won three varsity letters as a three year starter at prep level in Maryland, earning all-state recognition and state Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. He was also an All-American after recording 158 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two blocked punts as a senior. He set the school record for career tackles with 443 and had eight career interceptions. A three year starter on the basketball court, he averaged 13.2 points and 16.3 rebounds per game as a junior.
As a true freshman with the Terps in 2002, Merriman played in every game, starting one. He had 49 total tackles including six tackles for loss and five sacks, while also pressuring the quarterback and knocking down five passes. The highlight of his freshman season was an eight-tackle day at North Carolina, where he picked up three sacks, forced a fumble, and batted down two passes.
Merriman started five of the 13 games in which he played in 2003, and wound up leading the Terps with 8.5 sacks He was credited with 55 total tackles, 9.5 TFLs, two fumble recoveries, three pass break-ups, and a team-high 13 QB hurries. He was in on six stops with a pass break-up at Wake Forest; he had six tackles, two sacks, four qb hurries, and a pass deflection against Clemson; and he had a fumble recovery and four solo tackles against Duke. Merriman again led Maryland in sacks in 2004, again posting 8.5. He increased his total tackles to 85, his TFLs to 13.5, and added two pass break-ups, 10 QB pressures, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery to his dossier. His dominating performances as a junior included the Northern Illinois game (10 tackles, sack), vs Virginia (10 tackles), and against Wake Forest (12 tackles, 2.5 sacks).
He played as a defensive end for most of his three seasons in College Park, but his effectiveness wasn't limited to just rushing the passer. Wherever the ball went on the field, you noticed where #45 was at all times. He's pretty instinctive and was productive. His athletic ability gives him the versatility to play as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, a la Joey Porter or Peter Boulware, or as a defensive end in a 4-3 alignment, in the mold of a Jason Taylor.
Merriman is also tremendous in the weight room, benching 400 pounds, squatting 600, and posting a 41" vertical leap, which is the highest in Maryland history by a defensive lineman.
*Merriman's not just a workout warrior, though; he can play, and his athleticism and natural physical skills make him an attractive choice because of the versatility he brings to the table. *Combine Note: Didn't workout.