D.J. Wonnum Overview
Position: EDGE
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 258 Pounds
School: South Carolina Gamecocks
NFL Combine Performance Data
40-yard Dash: 4.73 seconds
Bench Press: 20 reps
Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches
Broad Jump: 10 feet, 3 inches
Three-cone Drill: 7.25 seconds
20-yard Shuttle: 4.44 seconds
D.J. Wonnum 2020 Draft Profile
D.J. Wonnum was listed as a tight end upon leaving high school in Georgia and was lightly recruited being listed as barely a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. Wonnum only received four offers from power five colleges and received a single offer from a college within 1000 miles of his high school. The Georgia native selected South Carolina committing to the Gamecocks for his college career.
Wonnum began his collegiate career as a freshman by moving to defensive end full time and was utilised as a top reserve playing all 13 games with 32 tackles in his first year. Against East Carolina Wonnum demonstrated his potential to be a future starter by gaining four solo tackles, two for losses and a sack. After an impressive first year Wonnum’s college career accelerated by being made a permanent team captain in his ophomore year. Wonnum led South Carolina with six sacks on the season with 57 total stops in 2017.
In his Junior year Wonnum was plagued with injuries and only managed five starts during the season. Missing eight games due to an ankle injury Wonnum could only manage 11 tackles and two sacks in his limited game time. Wonnum returned healthy for his senior year and started every game for the Gamecock’s. Enjoying his most productive year, Wonnum ended the season with 37 tackles and was invited to compete in the Reese’s senior bowl 2020 before declaring for the Draft.
Strengths
- Leadership (named permanent team captain in sophomore year);
- Agile hip movements to avoid being blocked;
- Good motor as a secondary rusher;
- Good starting experience;
- Uses 6’5″ frame well in the pass and run game;
- Versatility. Played both sides, Hands up/down and has even played zone drops;
- Has a decent burst for a man his size;
- Effort is unquestionable.
Weaknesses
- Never great in terms of production;
- Injury issues in Junior Year a worry of returning;
- Can’t get low and bend to get around the edge;
- Not consistent. Has good games but some games goes missing;
- Struggles when squared up against a blocker;
- Doesn’t convert his speed into power;
- Misses too many tackles.
NFL Comparison: Sam Montgomery
Teams with need at position: Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans
Projection: Round 6
Bottom Line on D.J. Wonnum
A tireless rusher with indisputable effort levels will make him a great depth player in the NFL. Wonnum has a great work ethic and has a wealth of experience due to being a captain from his sophomore year onwards. His large size works both positively and negatively impacting his game. He uses his frame well to keep blockers at length however he lacks the flexibility to bend around offensive lineman and reach the quarterback. A lingering ankle injury could harm his NFL chances whilst struggling to have impactful production year on year in South Carolina leaves a question over his upside. Wonnum has a chance to be a rotational end coming into the NFL this year but if he can combine his size, work ethic and improve his technique as his pro career develops he may become a starting end.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
