Strengths: Has adequate-to-good size and speed. Has experience at MLB and SLB. Has good initial quickness. Takes very good angles. Shows good closing burst and makes a lot of plays in pursuit. Is instinctive. Is a fine open field tackler. Breaks down and wraps up. He's a hard worker, terrific leader and technically sound player.
Weaknesses: Has adequate but not great size. Weight room strength doesn't translate to the field. He runs around a lot of blocks and doesn't show the consistent ability to take on and shed. He also lacks explosive power as a tackler. Has adequate-to-good speed but is very much a straight-line player. Lacks smooth hips and ideal COD skills. Has trouble redirecting in space as a tackler. Is limited in coverage. Does not have the fluid hips or instincts to match up against most RBs in the NFL one-on-one. There are concerns about his mental capacity, as he has struggled some in the classroom and is rumored to have a difficult time when it comes to picking up new schemes, etc. Has great strength in the weight-room but it doesn't fully translate to the field.
Overall: Wortham played in every game as a backup linebacker and special teams' contributor in his true freshman season in 2000. He also played in every game in 2001 and started the team's final eight games of that season before taking over as an 11-game starter at the "strongside" linebacker position in 2002. He suffered a dislocated left elbow in fall practice and used the 2003 season as his redshirt year. Wortham had a monster season in 2004, as he bounced back from the injury and wound up leading the Tide with 98 total tackles. Wortham has adequate size and speed. He has experience playing inside and outside, and he likely will be able to play a backup role at both positions in the NFL. However, while Wortham is instinctive and relentless, he does not have great athleticism, his weight-room strength doesn't translate to the field, and he is limited in coverage. With durability concerns and some concerns regarding his mental capacity, there's a good chance that Wortham doesn't come off the board until the final couple of rounds. If he can stay healthy and isn't overwhelmed by the complexity of the NFL, he could become a good value as a guy that makes a career out of contributing on special teams and providing good depth at a couple different linebacker positions.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.
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04-21-2005
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