Overview
Position: Defensive line
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 283 pounds
School: Michigan Wolverines
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds (best among defensive tackles)
Bench press: 26 reps
Vertical jump: 38 inches (best among defensive tackles)
Broad jump: 10 feet (tied for second-best among defensive tackles)
Three-cone drill: 7.26 seconds (fifth-best among defensive tackles)
20-yard shuttle: 4.29 seconds (fourth-best among defensive tackles)
Rashan Gary 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Much was expected from Rashan Gary as he transitioned from high school to college. That much was certain considering that Rivals, Scout, and ESPN all touted him as the top prospect in the entire 2016 recruiting class. It came after he collected plenty of national accolades during his high school career, including defensive player of the year honors from USA Today. Naturally, all the big-time programs across college football courted him in the hopes of a commitment. But it was Jim Harbaugh and Michigan who ultimately came away with his pledge.
Given his status as a highly touted five-star recruit, it wasn’t too surprising to see him contribute immediately. He played in all 13 of the Wolverines’ games as a true freshman and earned the first sack of his career in Week Two against UCF. Though that proved to be his only sack of the 2016 season, he also contributed five tackles for loss and 27 total tackles. Still, it would be one more year before Gary truly blossomed into an elite defensive lineman.
Gary tallied 66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks during his sophomore campaign in Ann Arbor. Though his team fell to archrival Ohio State, Gary did all he could to try and assure victory as he totaled two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss against the Buckeyes. For his efforts, he took home the Richard Katcher Award which is given to Michigan’s top defensive lineman/outside linebacker. Though his numbers dipped in 2018 due to a shoulder injury, he made a noticeable impact all over the defensive line when he was healthy. At the end of both his sophomore and junior seasons, he earned first-team all-Big Ten recognition from the league’s coaches.
Strengths
- boasts the traits NFL teams like in defensive linemen;
- innate read and react instincts when defending the run;
- explosive get-off once the ball is snapped;
- highly athletic for his size;
- an intense, relentless hard hitter;
- stays low, unlocks hips, and delivers forceful blow;
- always looking to use active hands and upper body strength to shed blockers;
- effectively disengages and reaches laterally to wrap up ball-carriers;
- a versatile prospect who isn’t scheme-dependent;
- intelligent player who could be a weapon in exotic looks;
- a high motor individual who gives it his all on every down.
Weaknesses
- must add to his array of pass rush moves;
- will need time to develop into an every-down lineman;
- could improve as an edge bender;
- too often gets taken out of plays when double-teamed;
- bit of a segmented mover in the open field;
- some concerns with durability as he missed some time due to injury in 2018.
NFL Comparison: Jihad Ward
Teams With Need at Position: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles
Projection: Top 10 pick
Bottom Line
In this scouting report, Gary is listed broadly as a defensive lineman. This is because he’s certainly capable of lining up on the outside or the interior. It remains a bit unclear as to how teams will utilize him at the next level. He played a lot on the edge at Michigan but his lack of refinement as a pure pass rusher at the present moment means he could kick inside and be deployed as more of a run-stuffing three-technique. That said, Gary’s combination of strength and athleticism is as impressive as it gets among this year’s defensive line prospects. With time and coaching, the potential is there for him to develop into a more well-rounded lineman and reach his ceiling which is that of a Pro Bowl caliber player.
