David Vs Goliath: Oregons Kenny Rowe's Size Shouldn't Be a Concern On Draft Day

Oregon defensive end/outside linebacker Kenny Rowe is quite small. Rowe is 6'3", 233 lbs. But trust me, Rowe plays like he's 6'6", 270.

The Senior from Long Beach, California racked up 92 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, and 23 sacks. Pretty good stats for an Oregon defense that constantly shuffled players during games. But Rowe's career statistics can't match up to his stats in his two BCS Bowl Games.

The significance of Rowe's 2 BCS Bowl games is the size quarterbacks that he faced in those games.

1. Terrell Pryor- 6'6", 240lbs.

2. Cam Newton- 6'6", 250lbs.

And again, Rowe is 6'3", 233. Let's take a look at what he did in the 2010 Rose Bowl and 2011 BCS National Championship Game.

2010 Rose Bowl:

In his first BCS Bowl game, Rowe was named the Defensive Player of the Game, even though Oregon lost the game.

Rowe finished the game with 7 tackles and 3 sacks. 3 sacks against someone 3 inches taller and 10 lbs. heavier then him, with 4.32 speed. That is absolutely amazing.

Rowe was putting pressure on the Buckeyes all game. Yes, Terrell Pryor wound up having the best game of his career, but Rowe did not make it easy for him at all.

Rowe was constantly coming off the edge and making Pryor want to throw the ball before his receiver was open.

But Rowe didn't even spend the whole game on pass rush. Rowe was constantly dropping back into coverage, bringing receivers down short of the endzone.

2011 BCS National Championship Game:

Rowe's stats in the 2011 Title Game are not nearly as impressive as they were in the Rose Bowl, but his overall performance sure was.

Cam Newton came off one of the best Heisman winning seasons of any player. Tiger fans were expecting Newton to absolutely dominate the Ducks and did what Vince Young did to the Trojans back in 2005.

But he didn't. Mainly thanks to the efforts of Rowe.

Newton entered the game averaging 113 rushing yards per game. He exited with 64, on 22 carries.

Rowe was constantly hurrying Newton and stopping him, despite the fact that Newton was 20 lbs. heavier then Rowe.

And just like the 2010 Rose Bowl, Rowe spent most of the game dropping back into coverage.

Rowe deserves to get drafted in the first 5 rounds come April. He just has too much talent in heart not to play in the NFL.

Despite his small size Rowe still has great strength and natural pass rushing ability. If he can bulk up to 245 by Oregon's Pro-Day, I see no reason why Rowe should not be taken in the first 5 rounds.

So many small players have made a difference in the NFL. From Barry Sanders, Bob Sanders, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Zach Thomas. All were deemed "too small" but look at what they have done.

And somebody who most likely will end up in the Hall of Fame someday was in Rowe's same position 14 years ago. Current Jets Linebacker/Defensive End Jason Taylor was a 6'6" 230 lbs. Defensive End that people said was too small to play in the NFL. Look how that turned out, Taylor is currently 8th on the all-time sacks list.

Rowe will most likely not be playing D-End in the NFL, but he deserves a shot at linebacker. He has everything that you want, except size.

Rowe has conquered goliath quarterbacks in college, and should do the same in the NFL.