After looking at the AAC and the Independents last week, we move onto the ACC this week. With a 14-team power conference, there is plenty of talent to choose from. Florida State leads the way with nine prospect mentions for the week. Today’s focus is on defense.
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DE: James Gayle, Virginia Tech
Gayle has a good, stout build for a college end and can anchor the left side of the D-line. For as productive as he has been, Gayle does not have the quickness or the explosiveness to be a consistent pass-rush threat in the NFL, but can be a positive player stopping the run.
DE: Kareem Martin, North Carolina
Like Gayle, Martin has received some hype earlier in his collegiate career based on production, but will not post double digit sack totals at the next level. That said, Martin has enough potential to develop into a very solid end who can play the run at a very high level, despite lacking great athleticism.
DT: Timmy Jernigan,* Florida State
Like nearly all defensive players who have played for the Seminoles in the past few decades, Jernigan is a slightly undersized DT. He fits best as a three-technique at the next level based upon his elite athleticism for a big man, as well as his ability to slip blocks, penetrate, and make plays in the backfield, whether its sacking the QB or stuffing the RB.
DT: Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
A player I initially wrote off based upon his size, Donald has caught the eye of many evaluators this season. Donald has great athleticism for a D-tackle, but also plays with impressive technique and leverage. In short (no pun intended), Donald has enough talent to earn his way into an NFL starting lineup.
LB: Vic Beasley,* Clemson
An NFL linebacker, playing on the line in college, Beasley brings a skillset similar to that of former West Virginia star and Seattle Seahawk Bruce Irvin. While somewhat undersized even for a linebacker prospect, Beasley has the explosive talent to pressure the QB and can even play the run at an adequate level.
LB: Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
Attaochu is one of the few linebackers who can contribute at all three levels of defensive play: rushing the passer, stopping the run, and dropping back into coverage. While he needs to improve his instincts for the game and polish his overall technique, but Attaochu has the raw talent worth developing at the cost of a second round pick.
LB: Christian Jones, Florida State
Like all FSU products, as I’ve previously mentioned, Jones is lighter than ideal, but he is exceptional in pass coverage, likely one of the best in this year’s talent crop from the LB position. Unlike Beasley and Attaochu, however, Jones is not a good pass rusher and leaves something to be desired in his ability to take on blockers and play the run.
CB: Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
A surprisingly stocky player for the CB position, Exum is great playing the run, wrapping up ballcarriers and getting after the quarterback from the outside on blitzes. However, coming off of a torn ACl in his right knee, evaluators won’t be able to properly evaluate his level of play until his rookie season in the league.
CB: Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
Exum’s teammate, Fuller comes from a Hokie family, which includes his brother Corey who was drafted in the sixth round just last year. While his playing speed and ability to hold up in man-to-man leave something to be desired, Fuller displays excellent hands and ball-skills to make an impact at the next level.
S: Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
Not many defensive backs succeed in the NFL that are under 5’10”, let alone 5’9”. But Joyner is a talented prospect who can fit at safety or corner and can return kicks. His ability to explode towards the ball, lay a big hit, and wrap up the ballcarrier makes his best fit at safety.
S: Tre Boston, North Carolina
A very wiry safety, Boston has good enough athleticism and ability to hold up in coverage at the safety position. However, he doesn’t quite have the physical playing style or tackling ability to become a starting safety, nor can he play coverage well enough to transition to corner.
Missed the cut:
DE: Kenny Anunike, Duke
DT: Kaleb Ramsey, Boston College
LB: Telvin Smith, Florida State
CB: Jemea Thomas, Georgia Tech
S: Terrence Brooks, Florida State
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