Overview
Position: Inside linebacker
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 235 pounds
School: Iowa Hawkeyes
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.79 seconds
Bench press: 22 reps
Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Broad Jump: 9 feet, 8 inches
20-yard shuttle: 4.27 seconds
Josey Jewell 2018 NFL Draft Profile
The University of Iowa is known for playing sound and smash-mouth football. This style of play has produced many successful defenders and NFL teams have reaped the benefits. Former Hawkeyes like Anthony Hitchens, Christian Kirksey, and Mike Daniels have found extended success in the league and NFL prospect Josey Jewell will look to continue the trend.
Jewell was a three-sport athlete in track, baseball, and football at Decorah High School in Iowa. Despite being named an All-Star player at the linebacker position, Jowell’s measurables and athleticism only warranted Divison I school interest. Until late in the process, it appeared Jewell would be attending a lower division school. Fortunately, Jewell received a late offer from Iowa where he would continue his football career for the next four years.
Iowa Career
His freshman year at Iowa, Jewell appeared in 10 games and recorded 51 tackles. On a limited basis, Jewell displayed the ability to be a significant contributor to a top defense competing in the Big Ten. For a freshman, averaging five tackles a game against the likes of Ohio State or Wisconsin in a limited capacity shows the makings of a tackling machine.
Jewell had a breakout sophomore season in black and yellow. As a starter, Jewell accumulated 126 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and four interceptions. Iowa finished the season 12-2 and appeared in the Rose Bowl against Stanford. Jewell amassed seven tackles and an interception in a loss.
The Hawkeyes’ linebacker’s junior season was a display of Jewell’s consistent approach. As the leader as one of the nation’s best defenses, Jewell racked up another 124 tackles, six tackles for loss, and nine pass deflections. While Jewell lacked the athleticism that is highly coveted, his instincts and I.Q. were second to none. With these intangibles, Jewell and the Hawkeyes finished 8-5, allowed 18.8 points per game, and made an appearance in the Outback Bowl.
Senior Year
Through hard-work and countless hours of film study, Jewell had accumulated 201 total tackles through three seasons on one of the most consistent and reliable defenses in the nation. In 2017, Jewell set career-highs in tackles with 132, tackles for loss with 13.5, sacks with 4.5, pass deflections with 11, to go along with two interceptions. Jewell was awarded the Ronnie Lott Trophy, which signifies the top impact defender, and 2017 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. The consensus All-American linebacker went on to lead Iowa to a second consecutive 8-5 season and defeat Boston College 27-20 in the Pinstripe Bowl – Iowa’s first bowl win since 2010. After an unlikely and very successful collegiate career, Jewell’s next step is the NFL.
Strengths
- Instincts and awareness make up for athletic deficiencies;
- Very solid tackler;
- Experienced and productive;
- Feels routes developing behind in coverage;
- Has vision to maneuver between blocks;
- Relentless motor;
- Good hands.
Weaknesses
- Small size for a linebacker;
- Lacks athletic ability;
- Can be overwhelmed by bigger lineman;
- Struggles in man coverage;
- More skilled athletes can take advantage in open field.
NFL Comparison: Sean Lee
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins
Projected: Third to fourth round
Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell receives Walter Camp All-America plaque at Walter Camp Weekend. #Hawkeyes #WalterCamp pic.twitter.com/O8xDzIu9Vi
— The Iowa Hawkeyes (@TheIowaHawkeyes) January 14, 2018
Bottom Line
Jewell provides a coachable and highly intelligent linebacker that can flourish in a 4-3 defense. While his testing numbers were poor, Jewell plays faster than his 40-yard dash time will reflect. Through recognition and instincts, Jewell is able to read how a play is developing and adjust before lineman are able to reach him. His agility and long speed are a concern for today’s NFL that features more playmakers in space, but the right scheme and defensive philosophy will illuminate Jewell’s strengths, rather than weaknesses.
An ideal situation for Jewell is a team with speed on defense and block-eating defensive lineman that allow Jewell to stay clean. During his rookie season, Jewell will mainly contribute on early downs and special teams. Once the game begins to slow down, Jewell will be free to trust his instincts and make plays behind the line of scrimmage and in coverage, similar to his Iowa days. Look for a stout and fundamentally sound defense to add the 2017 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in the middle rounds of this years’ draft.
