As college football season nears kickoff, we’ll be breaking down the best prospects by position in each FBS conference. After covering the similarly acronymed AAC, we turn our focus to the Atlantic Coast Conference for this week. After losing Maryland to the Big Ten, the ACC has perhaps gained an even better team in the Louisville Cardinals, which has proven to be a reliable team for NFL talent. Today’s focus is on the defensive side of the ball.
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ACC Prospect Preview
DE: Mario Edwards Jr.* Florida State
If there is one moment that stands out from Edwards’ sophomore campaign, it was when he trucked second overall pick Greg Robinson in the National Championship. When Edwards is on it, he is capable of such explosive plays. However, he appears far too lackadaisical on tape, lacking the motor and mentality of a successful NFL defensive lineman. Not only can Edwards be slow off the snap, he doesn’t really accelerate when he does get off the snap. Edwards will need to dial up the intensity in 2014 if he has a chance to get early round consideration.
DE: Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville
A long, fluid pass rusher, Mauldin will be making the transition to a stand up rusher this season. Mauldin has the flexibility and athleticism to fill this role in a 34 defense in the NFL, and will increase his value for all teams. However, Mauldin is not a reliable run defender, as he can be overwhelmed by power and can get too high and lose leverage. While he uses his hands well as a pass rusher, I would expect more bodily rush moves for someone as athletic as he is (i.e. spin move, counter move). If Mauldin has a good showing moving into the ACC and a different position, he can make a case for the top pass rusher in a weak senior class.
DT: Luther Maddy, Virginia Tech
Undersized for a defensive tackle prospect, Maddy is surprisingly athletic, even if he is slow off the snap. Maddy is very light on his feet and uses active hands to get into the backfield. He doesn’t have ideal length and anchor strength, but he is in the mold of the undersized pass rushing interior lineman. While an Aaron Donald comparison may be a stretch, I had similar opinions on Donald at this point in the season as I do on Maddy.
DT: Grady Jarrett, Clemson
Another defensive tackle who has an undersized frame, Jarrett offers a more traditional DT skillset. While Jarrett has inconsistent snap quickness, he can explode into the backfield and make a big impact versus the run. He is an alert defender and is good in pursuit and maintaining proper positioning against mobile quarterbacks.
LB: Vic Beasley, Clemson
Playing primarily as a DE with his hand in the ground last year with the Tigers, Beasley’s thin frame will likely relegate him to a stand up role in the NFL. Beasley is lightning quick, exploding off the ball and accelerating past opposing linemen with his first step. He is a constant nuisance to QBs and can lay a good hit on the blindside to keep passers nervous. However, Beasley lacks the anchor to hold the point versus the run and can be too aggressive flying up field that he can blow past the ballcarrier before he even finds the ball. But sacks sell at the next level, and Beasley has the skillset to be a day one pick.
LB: Denzel Perryman, Miami
The highest regarded interior linebacker in the nation, Perryman has the ability to also be the highest drafted ILB in the 2015 draft. Perryman has very good closing speed and can deliver hits with authority as he did in spring practice this year and vs. Florida last season. He also has the intelligence and instincts to lead the defense and be a solid cover linebacker. However, Perryman lacks elite range and can also pursue too aggressively and see his angles get outpaced to the sideline. All in all, he has the skillset to be a Pro Bowl linebacker.
LB: Norkeithus Otis, North Carolina
A compactly built defensive lineman for the Tar Heels, Otis will have to make the transition to a blitzing linebacker at the next level. Otis can slip through gaps and can take the edge with speed against less athletic tackles, but he has trouble disengaging with any power or rush moves. A member of the All-Name team, Otis does not possess the tools to be more than role player, blitzing during obvious passing downs.
CB: P.J. Williams,* Florida State
It’s easy to see why Williams saw time as a safety in the past. Williams is an aggressive supporter of the run, who frequently takes on blocks and is constantly getting in to assist with the stop. Unlike many corners who use running plays to take a breather, Williams plays with an infectious energy, and it’s hard not to love his on-field demeanor. Williams is also a physical press corner, who primarily plays the man for the Seminoles. If he can duplicate his level of play from a season again, there’s no doubt he can be a lottery pick come May.
CB: Ronald Darby,* Florida State
The other cornerback for the defending National Champions, Darby is not the long press corner or the fiery run defender that Williams is. However, Darby does possess a superb athletic skillset, best highlighted by his speed and range. Like Williams, he does have first round potential, albeit more of a later day one pick at best.
FS: Durrell Eskridge,* Syracuse
A well regarded prospect for the Orangemen, I came away very disappointed with the play that I saw of Eskridge from 2013. His tackling technique is very poor. Eskridge typically will dive at the feet of every ballcarrier even when squared up, having to make shoestring tackles that were slipped more than a few times. He does have good range and instincts, but what’s the point if he can’t do anything with them? Hopefully his technique will be improved in 2014.
SS: Anthony Harris, Virginia
Last year, Harris was the equivalent of the NFL’s Stevie Brown: a safety who racked up a ton of picks. Harris showed very good coverage instincts and ball skills on tape which enabled him to become a ball-hawk. However, he does not possess the same instincts versus the run and his range suffers as a result. Harris also has some of the more nonchalant body language I’ve seen among this year’s prospects which rubs me the wrong way as well.
Missed the Cut:
DE: Anthony Chickillo, Miami
DT: T.Y. McGill, North Carolina State
LB: Dyshawn Davis, Syracuse
CB: Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
S: Kyshoen Jarrett, Virginia Tech
On the Horizon:
DE: Eli Harold,* Virginia
DT: Eddie Goldman,* Florida State
LB: Terrance Smith,* Florida State
CB: Kendall Fuller,** Virginia Tech
S: Nate Andrews,** Florida State
Inside next week’s War Room: 2014 Pre-Season B1G Draft Preview
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