College LB at SS?

[xwalker]

Can a fast college LB that might have maxed out his frame at 235 play Strong Safety in the NFL?

Obviously Darren Woodson did it but some other smallish LBs have stayed at LB (Deon Jones 6-1, 222).

Cole Holbomb
LB, UNC
6-1, 235
4.48 forty
11 foot Broad Jump
6.77 3-cone

With a 4.48 forty at 235 what would he run at 230 or 225?

Scouting Report
Holcomb has been a productive player for the Tar Heels despite having to earn his roster spot as a walk-on. The Florida native redshirted in 2014 before becoming a special teams stalwart the next season (15 tackles). Eventually earning that scholarship, Holcomb went on to lead the team in tackles in 2016 (115, five for loss, five pass breakups in 13 starts), 2017 (93, 2.5 for loss, three pass breakups in 11 starts) and 2018 (105, 8.0, one sack, four pass breakups in 11 starts). Holcomb ranked in the top 10 nationally with four forced fumbles his senior year.

Speedy run-and-chase linebacker with the eyes and instincts to diagnose and respond quickly, but lacking critical take-on skill at the point of attack. He has sideline-to-sideline range but he needs to play less re-actively and with a more urgent play demeanor in attacking downhill. Holcomb's outstanding pro day numbers should push his draft value up the board as a three-down backup WILL linebacker and core special teams player.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cole-holcomb?id=3219484f-4c00-6318-dfc2-c03b54847fbe


In the play starting at 8:40 he chases down Miami RB DeeJay Dallas from behind.

 

[Killerinstinct]

I have seen a few LB's I would consider trying at safety.

Ulysees Gilbert III might make a good one too.

 

[xwalker]

I have seen a few LB's I would consider trying at safety.

Ulysees Gilbert III might make a good one too.

Gilbert
6-0, 224
4.51 forty
32-1/8" arm length

 

[morasp]

That's what I was thinking too, the draft profile on a lot of LBs they've looked is usually good in pass coverage.

 

[KingintheNorth]

In today's game, he's a linebacker.

Fast, smaller linebackers have a place in today's game with wide open offenses.

 

[Mr_437]

I think he's a LB. Goes to show how special Woodson was to make that switch and cover in the slot.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

It’s a interesting thought. Holcomb certainly has the frame of a safety.

 

[mcduff]

Can a fast college LB that might have maxed out his frame at 235 play Strong Safety in the NFL?

Obviously Darren Woodson did it but some other smallish LBs have stayed at LB (Deon Jones 6-1, 222).

Cole Holbomb
LB, UNC
6-1, 235
4.48 forty
11 foot Broad Jump
6.77 3-cone

With a 4.48 forty at 235 what would he run at 230 or 225?

Scouting Report
Holcomb has been a productive player for the Tar Heels despite having to earn his roster spot as a walk-on. The Florida native redshirted in 2014 before becoming a special teams stalwart the next season (15 tackles). Eventually earning that scholarship, Holcomb went on to lead the team in tackles in 2016 (115, five for loss, five pass breakups in 13 starts), 2017 (93, 2.5 for loss, three pass breakups in 11 starts) and 2018 (105, 8.0, one sack, four pass breakups in 11 starts). Holcomb ranked in the top 10 nationally with four forced fumbles his senior year.

Speedy run-and-chase linebacker with the eyes and instincts to diagnose and respond quickly, but lacking critical take-on skill at the point of attack. He has sideline-to-sideline range but he needs to play less re-actively and with a more urgent play demeanor in attacking downhill. Holcomb's outstanding pro day numbers should push his draft value up the board as a three-down backup WILL linebacker and core special teams player.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cole-holcomb?id=3219484f-4c00-6318-dfc2-c03b54847fbe


In the play starting at 8:40 he chases down Miami RB DeeJay Dallas from behind.

I’d draft him for the SAM and Malik King at SS. That would put a couple of thumpers flying around the D. This would allow them to get a couple of DT’s and maybe a blazer at WR in the higher rounds.

 

[sbark]

Seems to my recollection that Darren Woodson wasn't a pure college LB, ASU at the time he was there used him in some kind of a rover, hybrid S/LB role

 

[AsthmaField]

Maybe as a 6th or 7th round pick. A LB converted to safety would take a while to learn the position (a cerebral position) but he could possibly turn into something down the line. It would have to be a hard worker with good football IQ.

That type of player would likely be a special teams demon while he learned.

 

[Idgit]

Interesting idea.

I like Holcomb, regardless.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Can a fast college LB that might have maxed out his frame at 235 play Strong Safety in the NFL?

Obviously Darren Woodson did it but some other smallish LBs have stayed at LB (Deon Jones 6-1, 222).

Cole Holbomb
LB, UNC
6-1, 235
4.48 forty
11 foot Broad Jump
6.77 3-cone

With a 4.48 forty at 235 what would he run at 230 or 225?

Scouting Report
Holcomb has been a productive player for the Tar Heels despite having to earn his roster spot as a walk-on. The Florida native redshirted in 2014 before becoming a special teams stalwart the next season (15 tackles). Eventually earning that scholarship, Holcomb went on to lead the team in tackles in 2016 (115, five for loss, five pass breakups in 13 starts), 2017 (93, 2.5 for loss, three pass breakups in 11 starts) and 2018 (105, 8.0, one sack, four pass breakups in 11 starts). Holcomb ranked in the top 10 nationally with four forced fumbles his senior year.

Speedy run-and-chase linebacker with the eyes and instincts to diagnose and respond quickly, but lacking critical take-on skill at the point of attack. He has sideline-to-sideline range but he needs to play less re-actively and with a more urgent play demeanor in attacking downhill. Holcomb's outstanding pro day numbers should push his draft value up the board as a three-down backup WILL linebacker and core special teams player.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cole-holcomb?id=3219484f-4c00-6318-dfc2-c03b54847fbe


In the play starting at 8:40 he chases down Miami RB DeeJay Dallas from behind.

I'm on board with all Tar Heel players.

 

[Cattle_Rancher]

I thought the kid with one hand from last year would make a great box Safety to start and with some training even more.

 

[Future]

Doubt it, the league is trending more to where safeties are moving to LB, not the other way around.

 

[xwalker]

Doubt it, the league is trending more to where safeties are moving to LB, not the other way around.

Most LBs don't run a 4.48 forty or 6.77 3-cone.

The Cowboys could have used a situational run defending SS last year. In 2017 they used Frazier as a situational run defender but in 2018 Kris Richard avoided using Frazier in that role even late in the season and playoffs when Heath was playing 1 handed due to a wrist injury.

Obviously if they had an elite SS they would not use a situational player there but they've yet to find that elite SS; although they could still use a hybrid LB/Safety as situstional player in packages where they use 3 Safeties.

 

[DanA]

Jabrill Peppers was arguably a College LB that is playing safety.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

Kam Chancellor was about that size wasnt he? But slower.

 

[Floatyworm]

He was a fat kid....He's never seen skinny.

 

[DasSchnitzel]

I'm on board with all Tar Heel players.

I am a Tar Heel and I find your draft strategy highly questionable.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I am a Tar Heel and I find your draft strategy highly questionable.

Thats fine, I'm not right about everything nor am i wrong about everything. I'm also not a GM so my draft strategy means absolutely zero.