Dekoda Watson, OLB

Undersized Seminoles' linebackers Derrick Brooks, Ernie Sims and Michael Boulware have done just fine at the next level. Blessed with similar speed and playmaking ability, Watson emerged as one of the ACC's most intriguing defenders, and one NFL scouts monitored closely.

Watson leaves the Seminoles with 32 starts at strong-side linebacker. Watson's agility and reliable open-field tackling intrigue scouts, but he struggled to turn his natural talent into greater production.

He played in all 13 games as a senior, posting career highs in tackles (65), tackles for loss (13) and sacks (6) and earning second-team All-ACC honors.

Watson is too athletic not to find a role in the NFL. At his size, that role might begin with special teams. While he's among the most impressively built athletes in the draft, his sculpted physique has not led to durability or consistent production. He missed time as a senior with a groin injury and was limited to seven starts by injury (left elbow, left hamstring) and suspension (three games) for his role in the infamous Florida State academic scandal.

Read & React: At least marginal key-and-diagnose skills. Can be fooled by effective play-action, but has the athleticism to recover quickly.

Run defense: Good speed and agility to elude blockers in the open field and to close quickly on the ballcarrier. Attacks the line of scrimmage in run support. Dips his shoulder to effectively get underneath the blocker and slip past to make the play in the hole. Looks smaller than his listed size on film, especially in his lower body. Relies on his size and athleticism to elude blockers. Struggles breaking free of blocks once engaged.

Pass defense: Gets good depth on his drops and shows a smooth backpedal for a linebacker. Can turn to change direction fluidly and stick with most tight ends in coverage. Too often allows tight ends off the line of scrimmage without an effective jam and doesn't appear to have the straight-line speed to consider the transition to defensive back. Appears to have soft hands and good awareness for coverage, but loses out at the critical moment against bigger tight ends and drops passes he shouldn't.

Tackling: Breaks down well in space to make the secure open-field tackle. Secure wrapping up, but more of a catch tackler who shows only occasional pop.

Pass Rush/Blitz: His greatest strength. Good timing for the blitz. Can explode upfield and instinctively "gets skinny" to slip through the gaps and into the backfield. Good balance, lateral agility and acceleration to change direction and close. Flashes an explosive pop to shove blockers away, but lacks the bulk or strength to disengage.

Intangibles: Good special-team defender who times leaps nicely and has two career blocked kicks. Suspended for three games last season for his part in Florida State's academic scandal. Tough player willing to play through pain, but has been hampered with injuries throughout his career, further casting doubt as to whether he can hold up for a full NFL season as a linebacker. Underwent Tommy John surgery following the 2008 season, which kept him out of spring practices in '09.

NFL Comparison: Michael Boulware

Watson started 32 of 46 games at Florida State -- one at weak-side linebacker and 31 on the strong-side … Recorded 184 tackles (112 solo) with 11.5 sacks for minus-74 yards, 32.5 stops for losses totaling 114 yards and five quarterback pressures … His 32.5 stops for loss tied Alonzo Jackson (1999-02) for eighth on the school career-record list … His 13.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2009 tied Marvin Jones (1991) and Ron Simmons (1977) for 12th on the Seminoles' single-season record chart … Recovered three fumbles, advancing one 51 yards for a touchdown … Deflected eight passes and intercepted two others, returning one 40 yards for a touchdown … Blocked three kicks, including two punts that he recovered and advanced 19 yards … Also registered a safety … Watson's 3.5 quarterback sacks in the 2009 Jacksonville State game are the most by a Seminole since Willie Jones had five vs. Florida in 1978.

All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team selection … Started 12 games at strong-side outside linebacker, as the defensive captain ranked third on the team with a career-best 65 tackles (37 solo) … Led the Seminoles with 6.5 sacks for minus-42 yards and 13.0 stops for losses of 58 yards … Collected three quarterback pressures … Recovered a fumble and deflected one pass … Made 58 plays vs. the ground game, holding those ballcarriers to 131 yards (2.26 yards per carry), three touchdowns and 10 first downs … Recorded 10 third-down stops vs. the run and three more vs. the pass … Sat out the North Carolina clash due to a groin injury.

Played in 10 games, starting seven contests at strong-side linebacker … Despite being ineligible to play in the team's first three contests vs. Western Carolina, Chattanooga and Wake Forest, in addition to missing some series vs. Miami with a hamstring strain and sitting out the second half vs. North Carolina State with an elbow injury, Watson still managed to rank fourth on the team with 46 tackles (28 solo) that included eight stops for losses of 10 yards and two pressures … Recovered a fumble for a touchdown, blocked a kick and picked off a pass … Also deflected three tosses.

Started all 12 games during the regular season at the strong side linebacker position and ranked fifth on the team with 50 tackles (32 solo) that included three sacks for minus-17 yards, finishing fourth on the squad with eight stops for losses of 28 yards … Broke up four passes and intercepted another for a touchdown return … Also recovered a fumble …

Won the team's "Most Improved Player" Award for the defense following the 2007 season.

Named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman Team by the Sporting News … Saw action in 12 games, starting at weak-side linebacker vs. Boston College … Posted 23 tackles (15 solos) with two sacks for minus-15 yards, 3.5 stops for losses of 18 yards and also blocked a kick.

2008: Watson was flying around the field making tackles in FSU's win at Miami (10/04). Once the adrenaline wore off from that game, the starting weak-side linebacker discovered that he suffered a hamstring injury that would hampered most of the year … In the North Carolina State (10/16) clash, Watson attempted to play but quickly discovered he was more of a liability than an asset to the team … Underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow after the season, missing 2009 fall camp.

2009: Sat out the North Carolina game (10/22) with a groin strain.

Campus: 4.40 in the 40-yard dash … 1.52 10-yard dash … 2.57 20-yard dash … 4.11 20-yard shuttle … 6.84 three-cone drill … 40-inch vertical jump … 11'2" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times … 32 3/4-inch arm length … 8 3/4-inch hands.

Attended South Aiken (S.C.) High School, earning a three-star ranking and was rated the 25th-best outside linebacker in the country by Rivals.com during his senior year … That recruiting service rated him the best linebacker and 10th-best overall prospect in the state of South Carolina … Added Prep Star All-Region honors and was selected All-State, in addition to being named to the All-Southern team by the Orlando Sentinel in 2005 … Made

102 tackles, including 29 for loss and 18 sacks from the defensive end position as a junior … Shifting to linebacker the following season, he totaled 123 tackles, 32 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 11 sacks … Named Defensive MVP after recording nine tackles and a sack for the South Carolina team in the annual North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl.

Family and Child Sciences major … Born 3/03/88 … Resides in Aiken, South Carolina.