Kawann Short: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Former Purdue DT

Short compiled a monster season as a red-shirt senior, constantly wreaking havoc in the backfield to pummel ball carriers.

He's a difference-maker that should have immediate impact on the defensive front at the next level.

Short mounted impressive numbers in four full seasons as a defensive tackle at Purdue. He spent five seasons with the program, fine-tuning his craft to the point of becoming a formidable NFL talent.

His dominance on the front isn't simply limited to tackles-for-loss. Short also sustains an unequivocal ability to disrupt passing lanes and terrorize place-kickers, distinctly separating him from other prospects at his position.

Short is ultimately a powerful football player capable of manhandling his opponent, demonstrated through a successful career at the collegiate level. 

Background

Full Name: Kawann Arcell Short

Birthday: February 2, 1989

Hometown: East Chicago, Indiana

High School: Central

Major: Organizational Leadership and Supervision

Year: Redshirt Senior

Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short is arguably one of the most underrated talents in the NFL draft.

The 24-year-old defensive tackle began his athletic career as a two-sport athlete at Central High School in East Chicago, Indiana.

Short was a participant on a 4A state title basketball team that featured current NBA player E'Twaun Moore, and also played football.

Short wasn't heavily recruited out of high school, despite enormous size and uncanny athletic ability. The only FBS scholarship offer he received was from Purdue, where he enrolled as a 3-star prospect and exploded past initial expectations.

He was selected First-Team All-Big Ten in his redshirt junior and redshirt senior seasons and was chosen as Purdue team captain in 2012.

Short continuously gained accolades throughout his career as a student-athlete at Purdue. He is anticipated to earn an undergraduate degree this spring.

(info courtesy purduesports.com)

Statistics

Short tallied 124 solo tackles, 49 for loss, and 19.5 sacks in four full seasons as a defensive tackle at Purdue. He also deflected 17 passes and blocked eight kicks.

He spent five seasons with the program, crafting his strong-points to the brink of becoming a formidable NFL talent.

Year	School	GP	Solo	Total	Sk
2009	Purdue	12	31	48	0.0
2010	Purdue	12	30	41	6.0
2011	Purdue	13	28	54	6.5
2012	Purdue	13	35	43	7.0
Career		50	124	186	19.5

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 299 lbs.

Arm Length: 34.75''

Hand Size: 9.75''

Individual Workout Results

40-yard Dash: 5.08

Bench Press: 29 reps

Broad jump: 8'4''

Vertical jump: 27''

Short Shuffle: 4.65

3-cone: 7.55

Short did not participate in the annual scouting combine or Purdue's pro day, electing to gain absolute health before showcasing his athletic abilities to pro scouts.

He partook in an individual workout session in West Lafayette, Indiana after his injured hamstring reclaimed full strength.

*All stats and information courtesy of NFL.com.

Interesting Facts

Short is nicknamed "K.K." but is arguably more identifiable with the letter "C."

He's a proven vocal leader, a character-defining trait that shouldn't be overlooked by pro scouts.

His leadership qualities are attributed to classroom excellence and hard-nosed discipline. He doesn't back down from difficult challenges, a fact that will effectively translate at the next level.

Short had a clear-cut opportunity to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft after mounting a successful redshirt junior season. But he opted to remain in school to hone his craft and earn a college degree.

Observations

Short is a powerful player in the trenches that has a long wingspan which he uses to combat pass attempts and block kicks. He's a virtual rock on the front, immovable by stand-alone blockers. He leverages lower body strength to pummel should-be blockers, generating enormous force to knock opponents of their feet.

Short is a disciplined football player that sustains natural strength and size, according to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com.. He's a space-eater that can dominate passing lanes. Short batted down 11 passes and blocked four kicks in his final college season at Purdue.

His draft stock has steadily risen since the conclusion of the FBS season, mostly because of brute strength.

Short has the build and tenacity to develop into a premier run-stuffing defensive tackle in the NFL.