Larry Webster NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Detroit Lions DE

Larry Webster, DE, Bloomsburg (HT: 6’5 3/4” WT: 252 lbs)

Detroit Lions

Fourth Round: 136th Pick

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6056	252	33 1/2"	10 1/8"

40-yd dash	10-yd split	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	Shuttle
4.58	1.57	36 1/2"	10'3"	7.29	4.44

Positives

• Almost endless athletic potential with combine numbers to back it up.
• Is at a tiny fraction of his developmental ceiling.
• Significant height and length with big hands.
• Very fast in a straight line and accelerates to top speed quickly.
• Quick first step off the line of scrimmage.
• Can speed rush around the edge by hitting a second gear.
• Sufficient flexibility to dip his shoulder and turn the corner.
• Uses height and length to tip passes at the line of scrimmage.
• Has lateral movement skills to play down the line of scrimmage and string out perimeter runs.
• Can close in the open field with speed and an adequate motor.
• Reliable tackler in the open field, breaks down to track ball-carriers and wraps well.
• Plays with discipline, doesn’t get overaggressive or guess.
• May have the versatility to switch positions and play on offense.
• Has experience playing from four-, three- and two-point stances.
• NFL bloodlines.

Negatives

• Well behind in football intelligence categories.
• Lacks spatial awareness, tends to run into blockers.
• Inconsistent snap anticipation to get off the ball quickly.
• Has a lean build that needs more time to develop.
• Naturally plays with high pad level, not likely to be fixed by coaching.
• Long strider who’s not exceptionally quick in small areas and struggles to change directions in space.
• Lacks strength in upper body and hands, put up below-average number of bench press reps. 
• Few defined pass-rushing moves.
• Doesn’t finish pass-rushing moves by ripping or batting away the hands of pass-blockers.
• Little speed-to-power potential as a thin rusher with high pad level.
• Commonly takes run blocks to the chest instead of firing his hands into contact.
• Unable to move back edge-blockers and set a hard edge from the backfield.
• Gets caved by down blocks and will lose contain on perimeter runs.
• Hung up on run blocks with regularity due to poor hand usage and lack of core strength.
• Poor anticipation of run blocks to fight against the grain.
• Doesn’t get to the ball often enough, low tackle numbers.

Year	Team	Tackles	TFL	Sacks	FF	INT
2012	Bloomsburg	39	15	13.5	1	1
2013	Bloomsburg	49	16	12.5	2	0

Personal Notes

• Played four seasons for the Bloomsburg Huskies' basketball team, is the school record holder for career blocked shots.
• Played two seasons of football, with a sixth year of NCAA eligibility as a graduate student.
• 2013 and 2012 first-team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
• Father (Larry Jr.) played 11 seasons in the NFL.

Ratings Chart

Graph made at nces.ed.gov.

Overall

Larry Webster burst onto the Division II football scene two years ago as a basketball convert turned dynamic pass-rusher. The intrigue around him as a draft prospect rose with every passing sack.

After being granted a sixth year of NCAA eligibility as a graduate student, he now has two seasons of collegiate football under his belt.

As a prospect, Webster is predictably raw and projects as a developmental player. Significant work is needed to build his frame, develop hand usage and grow his football instincts. Some of those things will come with time, but becoming a starting-caliber defensive end is a long way off.

Teams who employ a 4-3 and are looking for developmental depth at the end spot will be interested in Webster. Due to his size, athleticism and basketball background, teams may also consider him a tight end prospect as an NFL player.

Draft Projection

Sixth-round pick.