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Jalen Reeves-Maybin, OLB, Tennessee: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Kyle Sumner McKinnon

Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) and defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (12) during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) and defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (12) during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite not having a player drafted in consecutive years, Tennessee’s Jalen Reeves-Maybin is in line to break that recent trend.

One of the SEC’s most productive linebackers from 2015 is back at it again for a final season in Knoxville.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin and his 105 total tackles make him the face of Tennessee’s return to college football relevancy. Not only that, but he’s on track to be one of, if not the first Volunteer to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2014.

What round will the star linebacker get picked in? Let’s break it down.

Vitals

Ht: 6-0

Wt: 225 pounds

Class: Senior

Hometown: Clarksville, TN

Prospect Video

Strengths

Reeves-Maybin is the field general for the Vols, and proved as much after racking up 105 tackles and 14 tackles for a loss in 2015. He put up big numbers in the team’s biggest of contests, including a 21 tackle performance in a loss to Oklahoma.

Few linebackers get from sideline to sideline as fast as Reeves-Maybin, and even less are able to capably cover slot-receivers like he can.

The Tennessee standout reads the field very quickly and blows up plays on a consistent basis. You’ll rarely see him get tangled with blockers and is constantly flying around seeking to make an impact of some sort. Unlike other linebackers, Reeves-Maybin is a true three-down player and has the skill set to continue to do the same in the NFL.

Weaknesses

When searching for faults in No. 21’s game, look no further than his size. Reeves-Maybin doesn’t possess an ideal pro build, given his narrower shoulders and relatively short arms. He’s undersized by NFL standards and could struggle to handle the greater physicality level that awaits him in the league.

Beyond that, Reeves-Maybin has everything you’d want in a linebacker, and more.

Verdict

No matter how big he may or may not be, a second round selection is surely in store for Reeves-Maybin.

Reeves-Maybin’s natural build is really the only thing holding him back from finding a home on Day One. That won’t be enough to stop teams from snatching the senior linebacker up soon after.

Who knows, maybe another prolific season will finally prove that size isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

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