Overview
Position: Inside linebacker
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 230 pounds
School: Washington Huskies
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.72 seconds
Bench press: 19 reps
Vertical jump: 32.5 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 7 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.40 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.20 seconds
Azeem Victor 2018 NFL Draft Profile
If you were to read a preview concerning Azeem Victor in the midst of his junior season, it would have been a very positive article. One about a leading defender on a national title contender in the Washington Huskies, and a player who was looking to make an impact at the next level being selected early on day two at the Draft. However, things have only gone downhill since then amidst injury and character concerns.
During the most important game of the Huskies 2016 season against the USC Trojans, Victor broke his leg early on in the game, and that was the start of his spiral. He missed the rest of the season, and 2017 wasn’t any better. He was suspended for the team opener for violating team rules. Later in the season, he was arrested on a DUI charge and was suspended once again by coach Chris Petersen.
When Victor is focused on football, his tape and stats show why he was a touted draft prospect. As a sophomore, he received honorable mention in the Pac-12 with 95 tackles, nine tackles for loss and showing his coverage ability with six pass breakups. Before the injury his junior year, he started in all 10 games played, being voted first-team All-Pac-12. Even when he first joined the team, he showed the potential for hard work and putting in the time, as he was named scout team special teams MVP.
Strengths
- not often caught flat-footed, showing active feet and good foot quickness;
- attacks blockers, gaining advantage into the play;
- accelerates into and through contact;
- good coverage skills, able to stick with most tight ends and running backs;
- uses his eyes exceptionally well, on cutbacks, screens, and perimeter runs;
- uses the sideline as a 12th defender, taking on or forcing the runner out of bounds;
- not afraid of contact, taking on tight ends and backs who take him on;
- watches cutback lanes, rarely getting caught on the wrong side of a pulling blocker.
Weaknesses
- two players: early 2016 and mid 2017 – legit questions about who teams are going to get;
- weak mindset, will coast and fade if things don’t go his way;
- if he is too heavy, he loses all the quickness that makes him effective;
- huge character red flags – DUI, multiple suspensions, lack of communication with coaches;
- didn’t gain strength as weight went up, may not have the skill at his size to keep up at next level.
NFL Comparison: Vontaze Burfict
Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins
Projection: seventh-round pick/undrafted signee
Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, there are two cases that are easy to look at Victor. One is a former teammate in Marcus Peters. After being kicked off the team, he made amends and turned himself around, although he still wears his heart on his sleeve when he plays. The other one is a player that is quite similar to Victor, in Burfict. Another Pac-12 linebacker with early draft potential, he ended up undrafted due to character issues, although he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. For Victor to be successful in the NFL, he needs to show teams he can keep his head on his shoulders on and off the field. If so, he will turn into a good and serviceable linebacker for many years in the NFL.
