Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Moore has the ability to get around the edges quickly on blitz packages, and has the ability to play man coverage against TE / RB from a trail alignment. He is a physical player, bends his knees well and has the ability to explode up on a block. Shows very good form tackling at times and can come up with the big hit. He reacts very well to the play and has very good footwork that allows him to bounce outside or cut inside quickly on a run play. He shows very good coordination as he showed the ability to rush the QB and was able to time the throw and knock the ball down.

WEAKNESSES - Moore is not a player that will go sideline to sideline quickly and always be around the play. He needs to avoid going for the big hit as he will hit high and not wrap up at times, which leads him to miss tackles he has shown the ability to easily make when he uses good form. His coverage skills down the field are questionable as he does not flip his hips quickly and therefore can be turned around easily. He does not consistently read and react to the play fast and has to improve his football smarts to produce at the level of his athleticism.

SUMMARY - Moore is a very athletic football player. He has the ability to play both man coverage and zone coverage, although he needs to flip his hips without losing a step more consistently. He will struggle in press coverage as he does not flip his hips quickly and can therefore be turned around, but he has the ability to play coverage well against TE over the middle. He has solid ball skills, although his hands need to improve. He can turn the corner quickly tp be a very good pass rush LB off the edge, although he needs to develop more pass rush moves. His quickness around the edges work in college, but he will need to add some moves and become stronger at the POA to be an effective pass rusher at the next level. Overall Moore can play in both a 3-4 defense as he has the ability to rush the QB, and a 4-3 as he has the ability to play in coverage. He projects as a solid backup and will need to improve on his coverage skills and become more consistent wrapping up if he is going to become a starter in the NFL. .

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Knott is an impressive player displaying very good overall athleticism, agility and running ability. He has good size and bulk for the position. He can cover a lot of ground and does a very good job in pursuit to the ball carrier in run defense. He is a willing run defender close to the line of scrimmage as he shows the desire to hit the hole hard and take on blockers so his teammates can make plays. He is at his strength when he can pursue the ball, and he has the range to do it sideline to sideline. He breaks down well and does a good job of tackling, but he isn't a hard hitter, more of a catch tackler than a hitter. The Cyclones rarely use Knott as a pass rusher, but he is good at diagnosing the run versus the pass and generally makes good decisions. He changes directions well and does a good job of staying with backs and tight ends in his area. He is good in both man to man and zone coverage, displaying a good feel for route concepts and getting good depth in his drop. He has quick feet and looks comfortable in space.

WEAKNESSES - While Knott is a good athlete, he doesn't have outstanding strength and can be bullied by tight ends and tackles when he doesn't disengage from them. He will need to improve his core strength as he gets to the next level. He isn't a powerful tackler and tends to hang on and wrap up more than aggressively take down ball carriers. He is a willing player when defending the run close to the line of scrimmage, although this isn't the strength of his game. He is much more effective flowing to the ball and running plays down with his speed, quickness and lateral change of direction ability. There is very little pass rushing skills to see from Knott as Iowa State rarely uses him as a pass rusher. Knott missed the final five games of the 2012 season due to shoulder surgery and he will have to check out medically in teams are going to select him.

SUMMARY - Jake Knott was an excellent outside linebacker in college, but a shoulder injury ended his career early at Iowa State and he will have to get cleared medically by interested teams. He is a good athlete, displaying good footwork, speed and quickness. He also flashes good lateral agility which allows him to change directions easily. He is good is pass defense, both in man and zone schemes. He is more a catch tackler than a hitter, but he breaks down well and does a good job of wrapping up. He chews up ground and can really flow to the ball, pursuing from the back side to run down running backs as they turn the corner and is an effective player from sideline to sideline. From a pass rush perspective, there is almost nothing to see from Knott. To be fair, Iowa State really never asks him to rush the passer and it's an area that teams will have to get comfortable with in the process leading up to the draft. Knott is a smart, instinctual player who led the Cyclones defense throughout his career. He warrants fourth-round consideration in the draft as he has value as a developing outside linebacker with special teams abilities.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - While not a big linebacker, Norman plays bigger and stronger than his measured size. He flashes the ability to take on lead blocks with good leverage, can shed and make tackle. On running plays away he is quick identifying the play, accelerates quickly down the LOS and has the speed to chase down the play in pursuit. Chasing after ball carriers and closing on receivers, Norman is able to move quickly and easily through traffic. Instinctive and aware, Norman does not get fooled by trick or miss-direction plays. Maintains responsibility on play-fake away with "naked roll back" pass to his side of field. He is quick picking up RB and TE in man coverage and reads the QB/Pass well from off and can close quickly to make hard hit right after the catch. Norman has the athleticism, speed and instincts to be a productive special teams player in the NFL.

WEAKNESSES - Lacking ideal size, Norman can be engulfed by big OL blockers on the second level and eliminated from the play. While he flashes the ability to take on lead blockers with good leverage, which allows him to hold ground, he does not do it consistently enough. Despite being a productive defender who makes many tackles, he does not make enough impact plays rushing the passer or intercepting passes. .

SUMMARY - Norman is not a well known prospect nationally, but with his athleticism, smarts and instincts he is a good linebacker prospect. Years ago under-sized linebackers like Norman did not have great value because they were much more productive in coverage than against the run. However, in today's pass friendly NFL athletic linebackers who excel in pass coverage have increased value. Norman consistently picks up RB releasing out of the backfield and can cover him down the field on "wheel" route. He does a good job of sliding and moving in zone coverage, reads and reacts to the QB/Pass quickly and has a good closing burst to make hard hit right after the catch. Overall, Norman will likely not be drafted as highly as I have him rated, but I believe that he will be an excellent backup linebacker and special teams player for a team that plays a 43 defense.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - Devonte is a big, physical safety that crashes the line of scrimmage. His thick frame allows him to take on blockers and then shed and make the tackle on the ball carrier. He uses his hands well to separate and jam receivers on the rare occasion he is manned up. He uses proper leverage to maintain position and then attack down hill. He can deliver the big hit that seperates ball carriers or receivers from the ball. Has the versatility to play all three downs and match up against TEs and backs.

WEAKNESSES - Holloman is way to big to be a safety and due to his size he struggles to match up and adjust in space against athletic receivers. He will need to move to the outside linebacker position which means he will be a developmental guy. He is overly aggressive and is often caught flat footed when in coverage which allows receivers to get over the top of him. He does not have the speed to make up for his mistakes and does not show the ability to plant and drive on the ball. He has poor instincts as well.

SUMMARY - Devonte Holloman has a rare combination of size and strength for a defensive back in college. He played all four years at South Carolina and has started for the last three seasons at the Strong Safety position. He brings a physical nature to the defensive backfield that is rare but does not translate to the next level due to his lack of overall speed and recover skills. He is best suited to move to the OLB spot in the NFL where he can better use his size and skills as a ball carrier attacker. It also will make him more effective for a team for his ability to play sideline to sideline and match up in coverage against backs and tight ends. He doesn't have ideal height which may cause him to struggle in coverage against the new trend of TEs in the league but he can make up for it in his experience as a DB. He is best suited for a 34 style defense where it can keep him in space and could develop into a nice option as a nickel linebacker. Overall DeVonte Holloman would make a nice 6th round selection in the 2013 draft. If he runs well in the 40 it could cause him to move up as well. He should make a squad as a special teamer at first and add quality depth.

Scouting Report:
STRENGTHS - A smart and instinctive defender, Taylor is constantly around the ball. Clearly Taylor works hard off the field to prepare as he is able to read and react to the play quickly, which lets him play faster than his 40 time. He uses his hands well to protect his legs from low blocks, which helps him to move through traffic surprisingly well. Smooth and fluid dropping off ball into coverage, Taylor consistently gets proper positioning and spacing. He reads the QB/Pass well in coverage and can close in time to make play to break up pass on short passes near him. Able to bend knees and stay under control, Taylor can drive up into the ball carrier to make strong, wrap-up tackles. He has many of the traits to be a productive special teams linebacker in the NFL.

WEAKNESSES - An average athlete, who makes the bulk of his plays through instincts and smarts, Taylor will have trouble being as productive in the NFL as he was at Wisconsin. Not a quick twitch athlete, Taylor lacks an explosive burst of acceleration, but once he gets to full speed he has better than expected chase speed. Not a big linebacker, Taylor struggles to shed and get free from blockers once they get ahold of him. He gets tied up and ridden out of the play too easily as he lacks the bulk/strength to hold ground when he cannot shed block. His lack of explosiveness hinders his ability to pressure the quarterback when he blitzes. Although he is effective in short area zone coverage, he lacks the acceleration and speed to stay with TE's/RB's in man coverage.

SUMMARY - Highly productive throughout his college career, Taylor is an undersized linebacker (Although he measured 234 at the Combine, he reportedly played in the 220's) who lacks the elite speed and athleticism to be as productive in the NFL. While I do not believe that Taylor has the physical skills to be a front-line starter, he is the type of linebacker that often makes it in the NFL as a special teams player initially and works his way into a starting job where he does a solid, workmanlike job. Overall, Taylor is not going to be drafted early, but in the later rounds he will likely be selected by a team that plays a 43 defense and is looking for a tough, hard-nosed backup outside linebacker with great intangibles. He will have to prove himself on special teams as a rookie, but if he can maintain 230+ pounds and improve his shed ability then he could work his way into a starting job in time.