Defensive Playmakers Strengthen 2011 Draft

Scouts covering the Big Ten and the University of North Carolina in the fall may be money ahead by pooling their cash for co-op apartments. Defensive ends Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Cameron Heyward (Ohio State), and Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) are all productive pass rushers. Inside linebacker Greg Jones (Michigan State) makes more splash plays than Flipper the non-Miami Dolphin. The Tar Heel defense is loaded with talent from the front, second level, and back end. The most inconsistent member of the group is Marvin Austin and his eligibility to play in 2010 is in question with the NCAA regarding alleged violations involving extra benefits from agents. Stay tuned.

This past July, Chicago and Dallas forfeited their 2011 seventh round picks with their selections in the supplemental draft. The Bears drafted BYU’s all-time leading rusher Harvey Unga, a physical runner with good hands. He was placed on injured reserve after a training camp hamstring injury. The Cowboys selected Illinois defensive tackle John Price-Brent and plan on playing him at nose tackle.

The collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA expires in March of 2011. There will be a draft in 2011. As always we have listed only eligible seniors.

1. Clayborn, Adrian Iowa 6030 290

Three-year starter who is explosive, disciplined, and relentless in his play. He is as good as any defensive lineman in the past several years to disengage a blocker and make a play. In short, he doesn’t stay blocked. Excellent use of hands to separate, strength to pull and jerk. Stays on his feet. Has slippery quality. Plays with power and activity in his legs. A ready built four-man front right defensive end. Strong against double teams. Plays with leverage. Sudden to read and react after controlling blocker. Gave second round draft choice, Rodger Saffold, fits in 2009. Can feel pressure and react on the move. Explosive when delivering a blow. Good balance and body control. His arm length is average but his hand quickness, punch, placement, and extension are unique. Closes inside with authority. Has the lateral speed and quickness to string out and pursue to the sideline. Contained Terrelle Pryor in Ohio State game. Good awareness and instincts to play a variety of blocking schemes and combination blocks. Productive versus pass or run. Doesn’t lose ground when he tackles a ball carrier. Hard hitter. Athletic through traffic. Urgent and intense. Has good take off quickness on his pass rush. Tenacious. Accelerates off blocks. Burst to close on quarterback. Good stamina and discipline. Works his feet and hands together. Turns speed to power. Was born with a mild case of Erbs’ palsy and had some nerve damage in his neck and right side. Did not need surgery. Productive in 2009 with 70 tackles, 11 ½ sacks, 2 passes broken up, and 8.5 tackles for loss.


2. Heyward, Cameron Ohio State 6050 285

Four-year starter who is versatile enough to play anywhere along the front of a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense. Plays head up or shades any of the front five offensive linemen. Moved around to take advantage of match-up weaknesses. Someone at Penn State riled him up and he proceeded to beat their front like a rented mule. He racked up 11 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Plays in a front rotation and finished the year with 46 tackles, 6 ½ sacks, and 3 ½ tackles for loss. He has the talent to dominate his competition but will disappear at times. Grading his flashes he is powerful and explosive off the ball. Has a quick first step. Can explode and unlock his hips with force. Plays with a good power base and lower body strength. Can bend his knees and play with leverage but will get too high at times. If he plays that high on Sunday, he will get rolled out of the hole. Has the innate strength to run over a blocker on his bull rush. His game is power and strength. Can collapse the pocket with vertical push and effort. Will finish pursuit. His late father was the bone crushing NFL fullback, Ironhead Heyward.

3. Kerrigan, Ryan Purdue 6040 265

Three-year starter who is very technique conscious and productive. Led the Big-10 and was third nationally with 13 sacks. He also had 18 ½ tackles for loss. He led the nation with seven forced fumbles, second most in Big-10 history. In the past two years he has had 20 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. Plays right defensive end in a four-man front. Rarely gets single blocked. Can‘t be blocked with a tight end. Plays low and with good leverage. Can walk an offensive tackle back to the quarterback at times. Instinctive. Quick to read and react to pressure then gets to the ball. Right place at the right time player. Can run the hoop as a pass rusher, bending his course to the depth of the quarterback. Generally doesn’t get run out of the play. Good use of arms, hands, and leverage at the point of attack. Sudden first step. Plays on his feet. Uses a variety of pass rush moves including rip, spin, and slap and grab. Disruptive even if he doesn’t get the sack. Gets his hands up on the rush or tries to slap the ball out of the quarterback or ball carrier’s hand. Doesn’t give up on a play. Works from snap to whistle. Gets through traffic with urgency and intensity. Strong game in win over Ohio State where he demonstrated all his tools.

4. Romeus, Greg Pittsburgh 6051 270

Three-year starter who played in all games as a redshirt freshman in 2007. Big East co-Defensive Player of theYear. Productive over the past two years, collecting 94 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 15 ½ sacks. Has long arms (34 5/8”) and huge hands (11”). Possesses an enormous amount of physical ability. Tough and aggressive. Durable. Plays hurt. Innate ability to come off the edge. Gives effort in his pass rush and pursuit. Good change of direction. First step and lateral quickness. Upfield quickness and strength to push. Disrupts an offense if not accounted for in the game plan. He has one big Achilles’ heel that actually ties into two position skills. He needs to develop more pass rush moves and develop the use of his big hands. Romeus has a tendency to let the blockers into his chest which in turn slows down his ability to get off the block quickly. Currently he must escape on the first move or he gets locked up. He opens up his body because of inconsistent hand usage and consequently is vulnerable to blocks. Will hand fight and wrestle with the blocker. He has the tools – long arms and big hands – to slap or grab and swim, rip or uppercut, speed, power or spin. Will make himself a lot of money if he can develop his weapons.