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2017 NFL Draft Underrated Prospects: Ruben Demosthene, Southern Nazarene

By Russell Brown

Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) speaks with Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) speaks with Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view as Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Anderson-USA TODAY Sports /

There are plenty of edge rushers in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ruben Demosthene is from Southern Nazarene University and is one of the many underrated prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft…

Shortly after finishing his high school career in 2012, at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, New York, Ruben Demosthene had some D1 (Division I) and D2 (Division II) college offers but was ultimately only considering Buffalo University. However, he never committed to the school because he never had the grades to get in.

He ended up going to a junior college for two years before transferring to Brevard College(North Carolina). During his time at Brevard, his grades became bad and he eventually got kicked out of school. Fortunately, he was able to turn things around at Southern Nazarene and play football.

At 6’3″ and 235 pounds, Demosthene belongs on a football field. He’s long, athletic and is versatile. As a hybrid defensive end, he can play with his hand in the dirt or play standing up as a great edge presence.

Strengths:

  • Fits the mold for a 3-4 OLB with the size of 6’3 and 235 lbs.
  • Great bend down the line of scrimmage (LOS) on every running play.
  • Despite having the ability to rush the passer, has the natural ability to be a run stopper.
  • Long athletic frame with great speed off the edge.
  • Fluid hips with a high motor is always a plus.

After watching a few of Ruben’s games, I know that he can become a special player. He describes his skill-set as “…very versatile and very coachable. I can go to playing in the trenches, having my hand in the ground to standing up and rushing or dropping back into coverage. I am very athletic and can adjust pretty quickly.”

With that skill-set I can see why he tries to replicate players like Khalil Mack, Clay Matthews and Jason Pierre-Paul. All very productive in that regard and they’re all players he wants to be like. As the 2017 NFL Draft approaches, Demosthene would love to play for any team. There’s no question he’d love to play with his hometown team, the New York Giants, but any team will do.

So far through the draft process, he’s talked to a few teams and he said he’s okay with that. Why? He says, “I feel like I am very underrated but that is perfectly fine. I’ve had to prove myself my whole life so it is something that I am used to. People will soon know!”

The mindset that Ruben has is something that very few players have. He wants to be successful, he wants to win and he wants to learn. When I asked him what kind of role he’d like to have in the NFL, he said, “I want to be a leader in the NFL, hands down. I want to come into the league, soak up as much knowledge from the vets as possible and take on the role & help my team get to the Super Bowl. Wherever I end up, I will be a great commodity to the team.”

Weaknesses:

  • Has to find a balance of defensive line moves. Trying to power over everyone with a bullrush move won’t always work.
  • Needs to become more consistent with his hands.
  • Find him stopping his feet in coverage and not adjusting to the ball.
  • Needs to continue to add bulk, if he wants to be an every down edge rusher.
  • Level of competition. It will be interesting to see how he does against bigger, faster and stronger players.
  • Not ready as a 4-3 DE or 4-3 WLB — fits the role of a 3-4 OLB.

Over the course of time, defensive linemen begin to show tendencies. Truthfully, all players do but especially defensive lineman. Some bull-rush more, some might specifically use the spin move on third down or some could use an inside rush move. When asked about his favorite defensive line move, Ruben said that it’s a “Two step upfield then bullrush, because I have my speed and power to my advantage. I’m still in the process of learning how to master a few other moves. I got some tricks up my sleeves.”

Personally, I trust his speed but he puts too much focus on his power and this forces him to stop his hands. With time, that will be corrected and he’ll become a more balanced player. As for his coverage abilities, he’s not quite where he needs to be but Ruben said he’s willing to do anything a team asks for him to do.

Ruben has a great personality and a real positive mindset, despite all the hurdles he’s had to overcome. He states that “the biggest hurdle I’ve had to overcome was getting kicked out of school and having to grind to get back to something that I couldn’t live without. I’ve been through a lot in life at a very young age but that is what life is all about. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Overall:

It’s really hard for me to say that Ruben will be taken within the first three rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. However, I do think he could find a place in the NFL for any 3-4 defense as an OLB with an emphasis of rushing the quarterback. With his size and athletic ability, Ruben’s pro comparison is  Jeremiah Attaochu for the Los Angeles Chargers, in my opinion.

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Speaking of which, Ruben said that he’d love to sack Tom Brady, despite being a fan of him. It’s about displaying his skills against the best and just having the honor to play against Brady. As long as he includes the Harlem Shake into his sack dance, like he said would for his first career sack, he can hit any quarterback he wants.

Outside of football, Ruben has no other focus. He says that it’s his only focus and he’ll only worry about the alternates when the time comes. He describes being underrated as, “Underrated means one thing to me: People don’t know who you are because you come from a small school but that means absolutely nothing to me. Eat and let the rest take care of itself.”

Determination isn’t just one of his skills or traits, it’s his lifestyle. He’s gone his whole life overcoming adversity and proving people wrong, the 2017 NFL Draft will be no different. Personally, I’d like to thank Ruben for speaking with me, and wish you nothing but the best in the 2017 NFL Draft. Welcome to the league and to The Underrated!

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