2009 NFP scouting series: Penn State

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Isn’t overly physical in the run game. Struggles staying low on contact and driving defenders down the field. Is at his best using his initial punch and athleticism to gain a step and angle linemen away from the play.

Impression: Lacks the physical tools to play offensive tackle at the next level, but is a coordinated athlete who may be able to find a home inside.

Defense

Note: Penn State ILB Sean Lee will return this year from an ACL injury that cost him the 2008 season. He’s considered one of the nation’s top middle linebacker prospects and is certainly a guy to keep an eye on in 2009.

Jared Odrick: No. 91, DT, 6-4, 305

A long, powerful interior lineman who can really coil up into his stance and fire off the ball. Does a nice job crossing the face of offensive linemen and driving his legs through gaps inside. Is very explosive off the snap and possesses the balance to absorb a lineman’s punch and walk him into the backfield.

Displays a good initial jolt on contact, but gets a bit upright when met with the resistance of the double-team. Needs to do a better job keeping his butt down and holding the point of attack. However, he plays with much better leverage when working down the line and has the body control to slide laterally when engaged and clog run lanes on either side of him. Times the snap count well and consistently is one of the first defensive linemen moving off the ball.

Has a strong, coordinated swat and can cleanly sidestep blocks inside or simply bull rush opposing linemen into their quarterback’s lap. However, he isn’t overly sudden when his initial rush is slowed and has a tendency to get too high when trying to disengage.

Impression: Has a good-looking frame and an impressive combination of burst and power. Looks like a starting interior lineman at the next level.

Navorro Bowman: No. 18, OLB, 6-1, 230

A gifted athlete who is very comfortable in space and does a nice job cleanly redirecting out of his breaks. Reads and reacts quickly to the play and possesses the balance to instantly close on the ball. Is a tackling machine who wraps up well on contact and takes proper angles toward the ball. Showcases the base strength to take on linemen in the hole, but lacks the length and upper body strength to quickly disengage. Possesses the straight-line speed to make plays sideline to sideline and does a nice job shifting his way through traffic.

Impression: A gifted athlete who quickly finds the ball and can track plays all over the field. Looks like an ideal weakside linebacker at the next level.

A.J. Wallace: No. 1, CB, 6-1, 200

An impressive-looking athlete who displays a real second gear to his game and gets up to speed quickly. Exhibits a good initial burst out of his breaks and showcases the range to track the football down the field. However, he’s very raw in all areas his game and lacks instincts in zone coverage. Consistently struggles locating the football and doesn’t tackle as well as his frame would indicate.

Impression: The tools are there, but he doesn’t look like much more than an intriguing developmental guy at this stage.

Be sure to check out the rest of my team breakdowns at NationalFootballPost.com.

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