Quinton Bohanna NFL Draft Overview:
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’-4”
Weight: 357 pounds
School: Kentucky
Quinton Bohanna 2021 NFL Draft Profile
In a weak defensive tackle class by most accounts, Quinton Bohanna has a chance to be drafted in the later rounds. The Kentucky nose tackle is a steady contributor against the run. Moreover, for a man of his size, he offers surprisingly effective penetration as a pass rusher playing as a one-technique. However, despite putting up some intriguing tape, Bohanna offered very little statistical production in college. The team who drafts Bohanna will also have to keep close tabs on his playing weight as it has a tendency to fluctuate.
Born and raised in Cordova, Tennessee, Bohanna received several offers from Division One programs. Out of Cordova High School, Bohanna committed to Kentucky over offers from the likes of Louisville, Ole Miss, and Cincinnati. He contributed as a true freshman, starting the final five games of the season for the Wildcats, Bohanna made 13 total tackles in 2017.
As a sophomore in 2018, Bohanna racked up 17 total tackles in nine games, including the first sack of his career. He started all 13 games for Kentucky as a junior but his production didn’t see the jump you would expect with the increased playing time. Playing as a full-time nose tackle, he only made 18 total tackles in 2019, including one sack. In seven games as a senior, Bohanna made 10 total tackles.
Strengths:
- Behemoth of a man – fills a lot of space in the trenches
- Aggressive and has a surprisingly quick burst for a man of his size – potential to knock centers off balance at the snap;
- Plays with violent hands – has a quick punch;
- Can penetrate as a one-technique;
- Powerful upper body.
Weaknesses:
- The weight needs to be kept in check – fluctuates easily and needs to be kept functional;
- Limited production in a four-year college career – 58 career total tackles in 35 games;
- Plays with a high pad level too often and not enough leverage – relies on his hands;
- Solid block shedder but incredibly slow closing speed;
- Conditioning is a huge question mark – never an every-down player in college.
NFL Comparison: Daniel McCullers
Teams With Need at Position: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks.
Projection: Sixth/Seventh Round
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Bottom Line on Quinton Bohanna
A team that drafts Bohanna must have a clear plan for how they want him conditioned to fit in their defensive line rotation. Bohanna’s weight has been recorded with a 40-pound disparity depending on what draft profile you read on the nose tackle. Some claim he’s at 327 pounds, with several profiles claiming he plays up to 367 pounds. Identifying his role in the defense will determine the playing weight he will be expected to maintain. With many teams preferring scheme versatility out of their defensive tackles, Bohanna may have to slim down a little to stay on the field.
Some of the tape really offers hope that Bohanna could be a major disruptor up the middle in the run game and on passing downs. However, the engine isn’t always revving. His strong upper body and aggressive hands go to waste when he pops up and plays upright too quickly. The leg drive when he gets locked onto a blocker doesn’t match the quick burst and upper body strength.
Quinton Bohanna offers good value on Day Three as a developmental defensive tackle. It’s easy to believe in the size and strength of a prospect at that point in the draft. Although Bohanna faces an uphill challenge to earn playing time as a rookie, he could earn a living in the NFL as a rotational nose tackle and depth as a big body in short-yardage situations.
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