Overview
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 252 pounds
School: Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.80 seconds
Bench press (225 pounds): 25 reps
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 1 inch
Three cone drill: 7.21 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.35 seconds
Noah Spence 2016 NFL Draft Profile
If not for off-the-field issues that forced him to transfer, Spence would’ve been part of the large contingent of Ohio State players slated to get drafted this year. He was arguably Urban Meyer’s biggest recruiting success during his first year as head coach. Coming out of high school, Spence was rated as the top weakside defensive end in the nation and the ninth-best prospect overall by Rivals.
The Harrisburg, PA native quickly became a fixture on the Buckeyes defensive front. He played in all 12 games as a true freshman. A year later, he led OSU with eight sacks and was named all-Big Ten second team. But things started to unravel late that season as he was suspended for three games, starting with the 2014 Orange Bowl, after testing positive for ecstasy. Early into the following season, that temporary suspension became indefinite after another positive test. He would eventually be ruled permanently ineligible by the Big Ten.
Spence would emerge at Eastern Kentucky for his senior season. He certainly took advantage of the drop-off in competition, finishing top five in FCS in both sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (22.5). For his efforts, he took home Ohio Valley Conference co-defensive player of the year. And he played a key role in the Colonels near upset of Kentucky where they took the Wildcats to overtime before falling 34-27.
Strengths
- hugely explosive initial burst off the line of scrimmage.
- great lateral shiftiness that enables him to elude blockers.
- solid instincts defending the run between the tackles.
- patient pass-rusher that can beat you on the edge or inside on stunts.
- uses lower body well to out-leverage opposing tackles.
- very efficient pursuit arc to the quarterback.
- coaches and teammates rave about his motor and fitness level.
Weaknesses
- could be a bit undersized for the position at the next level.
- not a particularly physical pass-rusher; relies more on finesse.
- can play a little too upright at times which causes him to lose leverage.
- tends to have less than active hands when engaging blockers.
- movement off the line can be too predictable.
- clear off-the-field red flags related to substance abuse during college.
- was arrested for an alcohol-related incident in May 2015.
- reports are that he didn’t do well with the interview process at the Senior Bowl.
NFL Comparison: Cliff Avril, Seahawks
Teams with Need at Position: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Bucs
Projection: middle to late first round
Bottom Line
Spence has the talent to succeed at the next level. There’s very few draft experts who will doubt that. Some might say that given his size, he could translate well to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Either way, the biggest question mark heading into the draft is his previous off-the-field issues related to drug addiction that forced him out of Ohio State. He appears to be a changed man having undergone counseling. He’s talked about how having to miss OSU’s national title run really hit him hard and forced him to attack his problems with substance abuse head on. One can only hope he remains clean. The fact that he’s still expected to go in the first round demonstrates how much potential he has at the next level.
