College Football Scouting Notes: Linebackers
Oh the football offseason, how we meet again. Just like hurricane season in South Florida, we dread when you come around. We all just count down the days right? Well, how about we do some college football scouting too?
Well you don’t have to, but I just love it!
Now seems like a good a time as any to get my first scouting notebook out there. Over this offseason I’m going to go through many players, many teams, and multiple positions, breaking down film and letting all of you see who I like and dislike.
So how about today we start with one of my favorite positions — the inside linebacker?
I’m only going to go through two players today, but these two really intrigued me. I’m referring to Kentrell Brothers of Missouri and Reggie Ragland of Alabama. They are built very different, play very different, but for some odd reason their skill sets almost seem reversed. Don’t worry, I’ll explain what that means as we go along.
Oct 12, 2013; Athens, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Kentrell Brothers (10) tackles Georgia Bulldogs running back J.J. Green (15) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Missouri defeated Georgia 41-26. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
First, we start with Kentrell Brothers.
As a 6’1” 235 pound redshirt senior now, my first take was that he would be undersized for a 4-3 inside linebacker. As I started going though his game versus Florida I became more impressed as the game went on. His first big play of the day came on a carefully designed linebacker blitz (2:50). What impressed me was the patience he used in finding the proper hole and not just bull-rushing in. It was at that point he demonstrated just how hard he can hit, immediately forcing the fumble.
As the game wore on I saw that in general he is very disciplined young man, and his technique showed it. Every play he made sure he had the proper first step in order to defend the run (a linebacker’s first responsibility) even before dropping deep into coverage. Dropping is his big weak point, but he compensates for that by covering the screens and bubble routes well out of the backfield.
As we go through, at 4:50 you can see him get out to the flats to cover the drag route by the tight end. The pre-snap read by the quarterback should have led that route to be the number one option as no one was shadowing him, but Brothers gets into position quickly and forces a bad throw downfield.
Overall he is a very solid linebacker. There are things he has to work on this offseason in order to make it to improve his draft stock. He will surely make it to the next level, just a matter of how high. His weaknesses are sideline to sideline speed, and dropping into coverage.
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He does however have one major strength that I have not brought up yet. He can disengage from blockers better than most linebackers I have seen in a little while.
He only weighs 235 pounds and I hardly saw him get tied up by any blockers the entire game. Throughout the season it was the same case.
Based on all of the above, at this point right now I would grade him around the third or fourth round.
If he was bigger, that grade would go up. If he can improve on his coverage skills than he can move up into the second round potentially. In some ways he reminds me of Stephone Anthony, the first round pock of the Saints this past draft. Both are best suited for the weakside 3-4 ILB position.
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Now let’s take a look at Reggie Ragland. This is a much bigger linebacker, weighing in last season at 255 pounds. His build alone makes him able to be a more versatile defender, having the frame to be either a 4-3 or a strong side 3-4 ILB.
During his game versus Ole Miss this past season there were times that made me want to jump up yelling, both good and bad.
The first potential big play by him was stopped just as fast by not wrapping up and finishing the tackle (2:35 below). He read the play perfectly, got into position to make a great open field tackle, made great contact and just did not finish. Luckily his teammates were right there to help him out.
A little bit further in was another play that made me jump, but this time for the better (3:19). Ole Miss ran an option to his side and he did a fantastic job splitting the quarterback and running back. He cut off the route to the running back but did not over pursue, and forced the quarterback inside where he could make a play.
The final play from this game that stood out to me was his first sack of the game (6:27). It was a designed delayed blitz, but he was both patient and aggressive to make it happen. He waited for the hole to open and made sure not to waste any time getting to the quarterback and laying the smackdown on him.
As I went through more film one thing really stood out to me: this young man is a very smart defender.
In his game versus Mississippi State (9:08) the Bulldogs tried a fake wide receiver reverse, and ended up completing the pass downfield. What was impressive was WHO made the tackle. Somehow Reggie Ragland managed to not bite hard on the reverse, turn and get back into coverage, get downfield and make a crucial open field tackle.
While a play like that could be a fluke, you quickly learn it’s not when more big plays happen later. On a designed bubble screen for the running back in motion, Ragland does not move out with him. He holds his position and scopes out the play. Most of the time, a call like that would end up hurting the linebacker.
Once he sees it is going to the bubble he makes an immediate break on the running back but does not get carried away. Upon the back catching the ball, Ragland breaks down in front of him to not be caught out of position and makes the open field tackle (11:14).
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Absolutely a phenomenal play. That is not a play that the average linebacker could make, both physically and mentally. This past year was only his first year as the starter, once C.J. Mosley left the starting job vacant.
His downside is form-tackling. Surprising for a man his size, and that is not to take away from the clear hard initial contact he may have. His strength is the mental aspect to the game. I was very impressed by this first year starter.
Still, with limited tape, it’s minor grading time. This grade is going to reflect what I’ve seen so far, and has much room to improve or decline. I’ve seen a couple of places having him as one of the top overall linebackers in the next draft class. He very well could be, I won’t take that away.
He has the size, the outstanding speed for that bulk, and is very smart. One more season should be what’s needed and if he continues to develop, we may have another C.J. Mosley on our hands.
So that’s it!
Phew, made it through the first day of scouting.
Those were two great young linebackers with great potential. I was not expecting to see the smaller of the two be the guy looking for more contact and the bigger one to be better in coverage. Really did not see that coming.
It’s unfortunate that Brother’s size will limit him based on his talent, but that could end up being a huge steal for a team next year. I am very excited to see just how much Ragland improves, and takes his game to the next level.
Over the course of the offseason there will be more coming from myself and the rest of the NFL Mocks Crew here. We are going to break down film and report back to you just who we think may be some of the great draft picks next May.
Well, assuming they keep it in May — but that’s a debate for another day.