NFP Senior Defensive Tackle Breakdown

FROM WES BUNTING:

On paper, the 2010 senior defensive tackle class looks to be the strongest position in next year’s draft. The reason: Three of the top defensive tackles in the nation last season opted to stay for their final year of eligibility and increase their draft stock rather than declare early.

But that’s not all. Behind the big three is an intriguing mix of versatile interior linemen who have the ability to play in a number of schemes and add a lot of talent and depth to the group as a whole. Here’s a first look at the senior defensive tackle class.

The Top Three

Terrence Cody, Alabama (6-5, 365)

Last year, I took some major flack for putting this relatively unknown gargantuan of a man on my preseason top-100 board. Looking back, Cody proved to be worthy of that spot and much more. He was the central cog in the Alabama defense and showcased an amazing blend of size, power and athleticism inside. He’s nearly impossible to move off the ball and does a great job eating up blockers and holding the point of attack vs. the double team. Cody has also made a conscious effort this offseason to lose some weight in order to improve his stamina and become more productive on third down. However, he’s an ideal two-gap plugger who possesses the size and power to anchor the interior of a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme and will drastically improve a team's run defense at the next level.

Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (6-4, 305)

It isn’t often you see an interior defensive lineman lead a big-time football program like Nebraska in tackles, but that’s exactly what Suh did in 2008, finishing with 76 tackles, 7½ sacks and 19 tackles for loss, all team-leading marks. He’s a powerful, sudden lineman who knows how to slip blocks and consistently make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He does a nice job holding the point of attack vs. the run and can control the double-team inside. And although he consistently commands additional attention from most opposing offenses, Suh plays with a motor that runs non-stop – and he never stays blocked for long. He was not only was one of the most productive defensive linemen in the country, he also was one of the most disruptive and will likely nail down a spot in the top 10 with another strong season.

Geno Atkins, Georgia (6-1, 290)

Atkins is an explosive interior presence who makes his living firing off the ball and penetrating an opponent’s backfield. He’s a gifted athlete who has the quickness and body control to shed blocks and close on the football. He commanded a lot of attention inside in 2008 due to the absence of fellow starting DT Jeff Owens, who went down with a knee injury in the first game. However, Atkins quickly matured into one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the country and consistently showcased the ability to split and work through the double-team. He still needs to add more strength to his lower half, as he can wash out of plays too easily at times. But he’s considered one of the more feared interior linemen in college football and looks like an idea three-technique tackle at the next level.

The Next Two

Vince Oghobaase, Duke (6-6, 305)

Oghobaase was one of the biggest recruits Duke football has ever landed and has started 36 consecutive games during his three-year career. He possesses a long, angular frame, but displays an impressive blend of athleticism and power for a player his size. He’s a natural bender who exhibits good flexibility in his lower half and uses his long arms to shed blocks and make plays away from his frame. He recorded nine tackles for loss, six sacks and 51 tackles in 2008 even though he was consistently the main target for opposing ACC offenses. Oghobaase consistently found ways to be productive and definitely offers some scheme versatility to teams at the next level. He has the ability to penetrate and play the three-technique in a 4-3, but because of his size, length and athletic ability, I have a feeling he’ll also generate considerable interest from 3-4 teams as well. He has the necessary tools to be successful in whatever scheme he’ll line up in in the NFL.

Jared Odrick, Penn State (6-5, 306)

Odrick was a relative unknown even in some Big 10 circles at the start of the 2008 season. However, after a stellar year dominating the line of scrimmage and making plays in opponents’ backfields, he’s now a marked man in 2009. Odrick exhibits an impressive first step for his size and possesses the length and power to work his way through double-teams. He also showcases a violent rip move which allows him to consistently shed blockers and make his way toward the ball. Although he finished the 2008 season with 41 tackles and 9½ tackles for loss, it may be some of his off-the-field issues that need to be examined more carefully by scouting departments around the league. Nevertheless, he’s a big, athletic lineman who has the ability to be successful in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.  

The Rest

Arthur Jones, Syracuse (6-4, 296)

Jones was one of the few bright spots on the Syracuse defense last season and was at times downright dominant in Big East play. However, he needs to make a speedy recovery from a pectoral injury he suffered in February.

DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma (6-3, 306)

He’s as talented as any defensive lineman in this group but has never been able to put it all together.

Mick Williams, Pittsburgh (6-1, 287)

An undersized penetrating tackle who’s quick off the ball and makes a living behind the line of scrimmage.

Dan Williams, Tennessee (6-3, 326)

Williams is a physical interior presence who knows how to hold the point and push the pocket. If he can avoid nagging injuries, he has a chance to soar up draft boards.

Boo Robinson, Wake Forest (6-2, 325)

A thick, two-gap plugger who’s tough to move off the ball and does a nice job eating up blockers. Looks like an ideal 3-4 nose at the next level.

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