Draft Scouting Report:
Rating: 82.87 (Long-term starter)
Pro Comparison: Vince Williams
Strengths:
Built like old-school middle linebacker. Shoots gaps, fights through blocks and can be very disruptive in the backfield. Never accused of running around blocks -- he consistently takes the shortest distance to the ball. In fact, he's among the best in this class at flowing to the ball on zone reads, beating offensive linemen to the spot, and then knifing into the backfield to disrupt the play. Like having a defensive lineman at the second level in terms of toughness.
Weaknesses:
While he shows an ability to drop into zones, his coverage responsibilities are the weakest part of this game. As such, his change of direction in the open field is just average, and the primary question NFL teams will have to answer is if he is a three-down player at the next level.
Accolades:
- 2021: Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year
- 2021: First-team All-Big Ten
