NFL Draft: Iowa DE Drew Ott puts on a show in opener

We have previously written about Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end Drew Ott in the offseason, highlighting what was a phenomenal junior season for the Nebraska native.

Now a senior and the leader of the Iowa defense, Ott is out to prove to NFL scouts that last year wasn’t a fluke. In his first game of the 2015 season, he did just that. Ott was only credited with two sacks and two tackles for loss with three tackles total, but I know there was at least one other sack that he was at worst responsible for, and he looked all night like he was shot out of a cannon.

"“Drew Ott, wreaking havoc in the Illinois State backfield.” Ott tallies his 2nd sack for @HawkeyeFootball. http://t.co/9zTYWRjMvu— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 5, 2015"

The Hawkeyes’ defense has always had at least one or two overachieving playmakers up front, but we saw last year on the offensive line from Brandon Scherff what Ott brings to the defensive side of the ball. He’s well-coached, technically sound, and perhaps a bit of an overachiever, but he’s also a great athlete.

Ott’s explosiveness forced Illinois State (yeah, I know, not the best competition) to chip him with tight ends and bring extra attention over to that side of the defensive line. It didn’t really matter. Ott was far too quick, far too strong for anyone to really handle him off the edge. The Hawkeyes understand they have a real weapon here, but NFL teams are also going to take notice of this performance and every one here on out for Ott.

He was so good on Saturday he was trending on Twitter, for whatever that’s worth. He certainly has Hawkeyes fans buzzing. National media doesn’t pay much attention to the Hawkeyes program, but Ott is an early contender for the Big Ten defensive player of the year and perhaps the most productive defensive lineman in the nation. It’s still early, but he’s got the ability to put up huge numbers.

More from NFL Mocks

Home/NFL Draft