I'd love him on my team
Pass rush: Good initial burst off the snap. Strong hands to grasp and discard the blocker and demonstrates good use of swim and rip moves to gain clearance. Good straight-line speed, agility and balance to track the quarterback. Good use of leverage and boasts a powerful leg drive for the bull rush. Cognizant of passing lanes and will get his hands up. Not always disciplined or assignment sound. Anticipates the snap count and will occasionally be drawn offside.
Run defense: Quick enough to slip through a gap and disrupt the timing of running plays. Good size and power to control his gap responsibility. Has a tendency to play too upright, negating his own power. Strong, active hands to disengage from the block as the ballcarrier nears. Reacts quickly to the attempted cut block, sprawling and re-gaining his balance quickly by pushing off cutting offensive lineman. Good hustle laterally and downfield. Good vision and footwork to keep his feet while making his way to the ballcarrier.
Explosion: Good initial burst off the snap. Flashes a quick first step, vertically and laterally, to penetrate gaps and destroy the play. Good upper-body strength to shock his opponent and knock him back. Likes to make the flashy hit. Will gather for the big hit on an unsuspecting ballcarrier.
Strength: Good upper- and lower-body strength to hold up at the point of attack. Has an explosive shove to knock pass blockers aside on his way to the quarterback. Lacks the bulk and power to split double-teams as a true nose guard, but can hold up long enough to create a pile. Good strength for the drag-down tackle.
Tackling: Surprising balance and lateral agility to break down in tight quarters and make the open-field tackle against small and quick athletes. Good strength to pull down ballcarriers while being occupied by blockers. Good hustle laterally and downfield. Willing to leave his feet and lunge at ballcarriers, resulting in some big hits (as well as some wild misses). Intangibles: Suspended for the entire 2010 season after an NCAA investigation found that he'd accepted gifts from an agent. Characterized by those close to the team as "talented, but selfish." Highly touted prep prospect that was rated the No. 1 at his position and top 10 overall by most recruiting experts.
