Riley Bullough, LB, Michigan State: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Andrew Kim
Measurables and Combine Results via NFL.com
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 226 lbs.
Arm Length: 31 1/4″
Hand Size: 9 7/8″
Bench Press: 20 Reps
Vert. Jump: 31.5 in.
Broad Jump: 116 in.
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2013 | Michigan State | Big Ten | FR | LB | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2014 | Michigan State | Big Ten | SO | LB | 9 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| *2015 | Michigan State | Big Ten | JR | LB | 10 | 35 | 40 | 75 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 1 | 61 | 61.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2016 | Michigan State | Big Ten | SR | LB | 8 | 14 | 44 | 58 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career | Michigan State | 61 | 93 | 154 | 12.5 | 5.0 | 2 | 60 | 30.0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Game watched: 2015- Against Maryland
Strengths
Bullough at times is a heat seeking missile. He can seek the ball carrier and slow him down pretty well. In this play, he blitzes through the A gap as other linebacker takes on the center and Bullough has a free lane to bring down the running back as a tackle for loss. Bullough blitzes on many of the plays but is effective at doing so.
He also has good awareness on the field and is a good tackling on contact at times. Bullough was also used as an impactful inside rusher and got to the quarterback a few times. At times, he was good in coverage in a short space and overall is a tough football player all around.
Weaknesses
Bullough missed a couple games in each season with an injury. He played through 2016 with a broken shoulder blade. At times, Bullough does not wrap up consistently when tackling and misses tackles but usually gets to the ball carrier. In this play, he has an open lane to get to the running back and tackle him behind the end zone but misses completely and allows the rushing touchdown.
Bullough is not an ideal size for inside linebacker and should move to the outside as a 4-3 outside linebacker most likely. Finally, he has to work on coverage on the perimeter once he converts to 4-3 outside linebacker.
Overview
I can seem him fit well in a 4-3 scheme as an outside linebacker. Bullough is a tough player who could have some special teams and backup value in the beginning of his career. He played through a few injuries as well. Bullough is a versatile player overall so I see him drafted in Day 3 of the NFL Draft (Rounds 4-7).