Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State: NFL Scouting Report

Between his size, instincts, and athletic ability, Raekwon McMillan has the look of a top-20 draft pick in 2017.

With so few returning starters, the fate of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ defense rests on the shoulders of junior middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan.

And that could spell trouble for opposing offenses in 2016.

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A former five-star recruit out of Georgia, McMillan enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2015. He was all over the field on a weekly basis, totaling 119 tackles and 62 assists, eventually finishing as a finalist for the Butkus Award.

Although McMillan was overshadowed by the likes of former star linebackers Joshua Perry and Darron Lee, it was the Hinesville native that shined brightest.

So, on a defense absolutely zapped of experienced playmakers, McMillan’s true test comes this season in regards to if he can maintain and/or improve upon his stellar level of play.

Here we take look at McMillan’s current draft stock and find out if he has first-round potential.

Vitals

Ht: 6-2

Wt: 240 pounds

Class: Junior

Hometown: Hinesville, GA

Prospect Video

Strengths

Not many linebackers possess McMillan’s special size-speed combination. It might be his greatest strength, as it enables him to plug up holes in the middle and move from sideline-to-sideline just as proficiently. He was named a team captain back in January and is responsible for making sure the rest of the defense is lined up correctly, amongst other play-calling duties. McMillan is long, agile, and powerful, capable of handling opposing linemen and fighting through blocks.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Buckeye has great instincts and doesn’t get fooled too often by fakes or what have you. Even when dropping into man or zone coverage, few at the position are better. If he had a trademark quality, it’d be his violent collisions with ball carriers. Heading into Year Three at Ohio State, McMillan stands out as one of the more well-rounded prospects in the country.

Ohio State Buckeyes /

Ohio State Buckeyes

Weaknesses

After such a productive sophomore season, there really isn’t a whole lot to not like about what McMillan brings to the table. Still, perfection is hard to come by. He’s not a phenomenal blitzer and hasn’t consistently shown the explosive closing burst you’d like to see out of a linebacker of his caliber. If No. 5 does miss tackles, it’s likely a result of slower short-area quickness. The listed weaker points in McMillan’s game aren’t anything he can’t iron out during his junior year.

Verdict

The man at the center of the Silver Bullets is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in all of college football.

Barring an unforeseen injury, not much is standing in the way of McMillan and at least a first-round pick. His pro-ready size, physicality, and versatile skillset all will help make him quite the coveted prospect when the 2017 NFL Draft rolls around.

Similarly to 2016 first-rounder Darron Lee, McMillan is another Buckeye that has the look of a top-20 selection.

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Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Kyle Sumner McKinnon | Jul 21, 2016