Overview
Position: Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 250 lbs
School: Michigan State Spartans
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.82 seconds
Bench press: 23 reps
Vertical jump: 35 inches
Three-cone drill: 6.97 seconds
Shilique Calhoun 2016 NFL Draft Profile
Before being selected as a two-time team captain and garnering All-American and Big Ten honors during his three years as a starter for the Spartans, Calhoun arrived at Michigan State as a three star recruit out of Middletown North High School in Middletown, New Jersey.
Calhoun played tightend and defensive end for the Lions and was a standout on the basketball court as well, averaging 17.5 points 10 rebounds his senior year. On the football field he was rated by Rivals.com as the 21st ranked recruit in the state of New Jersey. His high school career defining moment was a nine tackle witih four for losses, two fumble recoveries as well as eight catches for 152 yards and two score performance against Jackson Memorial High. Calhoun was a standout on the basketball court as well, averaging a double-double with 17.5 points and 10 rebounds.
After being redshirted his freshman year in 2011, Calhoun would make an appearance in all 13 of the Spartans games in 2012 and would become a starter in 2013. In his first year as a starter, Calhoun would earn the first of multiple All-American and conference honors. He would be named 2013 Big-Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year after a season in which he tied a Michigan State record three defensive touchdowns, recorded six sacks, and a team defensive line leading 37 tackles.
In 2014, Calhoun found his name on list of mock drafts for the 2015 NFL Draft. After a junior year in which he would be voted as team captain and again earn All-Big Ten honors, Calhoun had been rated as the 20th overall prospect in that year’s draft. However, he elected to return for his senior year, swayed by seeing the only two teams to defeat the Spartans that season – Ohio State and Oregon – play for the National Championship.
“I’m going to take my last hoorah, come out and have a great season…with the talent that we have on this team, I know that we can go far. I want to actually be a part of that team that takes us to the national championship. As I watch the College Football Playoff and I see the two teams that are in the national championship are the two team we lost to, it just shows that we’re inches away from being in that game.” – Calhoun on his decision to return for the 2015-2016 season.
That goal almost became a reality as the Spartans earned a berth in the 2015 College Football Playoff. Calhoun would have the best season of his college career, recording 15 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks.
Strengths
- Good pursuit speed to catch a play from the backside.
- Able to recognize and dissect run plays.
- Served as team captain twice for the Spartans highlighting his maturity and leadership quality.
- Can play standing up and has the athletisim to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 set.
Weaknesses
- Lacks the aggressive edge teams would want to see in a defensive lineman.
- Seems to give up when double teamed.
- Needs to improve pad level when rushing the passer.
- Needs to become more consitient and aware when finishing a play.
Teams with need at the position: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Comparison: Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints
Projection: Second round
Bottom Line
Deciding to return for his senior year hasn’t hurt Shilique Calhoun 2016 NFL Draft chances. He is a solid prospect with a high ceiling and versatility that will allow him teams to insert him where needed within the defensive front seven and his leadership potential will be a great asset in the locker room
Main Photo:
