December 27, 2015 - Greg Gabriel
Breaking Down DE Jordan Jenkins and DC Keivarae Russell
Jordan Jenkins – DE – Georgia
Jenkins is a fourth year senior and a three year starter. As a freshman, he was a key backup and started six games. He is listed as an outside linebacker but really lines up more as a defensive end. He usually plays down but will take some snaps from a two point stance. He finished this season with 56 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He has a bit more production in 2014 with 70 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Going into the Georgia bowl game he has 19 career sacks. He will play inside at times. Did not see him used in coverage that often.
Size – 6030 – 255 – 4.72 (All Estimates)
Strong Points –
Top competitor, plays hard every down. Reacts quickly and finds the ball. Adequate size with a frame to carry 260+. Good arm length. Very quick off the ball, stays low and he is explosive. Good player versus the run. Good pass rusher who gets a lot more pressure than he does sacks. Very good pursuit player, chases the ball takes good angles. Fairly good hand use.
Weak Points –
Needs to get bigger and stronger if he wants to play defensive end at the next level. Limited reps in pass coverage. Plays inside some and can get over powered when he does.
Summation –
Jordan is a very productive player in a strong conference. Lines up both up and down. Has a high motor and goes hard snap to whistle. Is a bit of a “tweener” in that he may not have the size to play down in the NFL and doesn’t have the experience in pass coverage to play as an outside linebacker. He will get a lot of work at his pro day and private workouts as a linebacker. If he proves to be able to play in his feet the 3-4 clubs may value him higher than the 4-3 clubs. He can play right end in some 4-3 schemes. If he gets drafted by the right team, this player can have a very good NFL career.
Keivarae Russell – DC – Notre Dame
Russell is a fourth year junior who may have a year of eligibility left. He was recruited as a running back but was moved to corner in training camp as a freshman and started every game of the 2012 season. Was also a starter for the entire 2013 season. He missed the 2014 after being suspended for a year from Notre Dame for academic issues. He returned this year to start every the first 11 games. Missed the final game with a foot injury.
In order to play in 2016, he needs NCAA clearance and he won’t know the answer until after he will have to declare for the NFL Draft. Because of that, most feel he will enter the Draft.
Size – 5112 – 198 – 4.49 (all estimates)
Strong Points –
Three year starter at corner. Has very good corner size and length. He is a very good athlete with good overall speed. Was said to be able to run in the 4.3’s but plays more like a 4.5 type. He is strong and explosive and a very good run defender. Can take on blocks and shed and he is a consistent tackler. Good in zone coverage with good ball reactions.
Weak Points –
Having to miss the 2014 season hurt his play. He looked rusty early in the season. Has average reactions and gets caught out of position too often. Is best in zone where he does a very good job keeping plays in from of his and had good receiver awareness. He is an inconsistent press man cover guy. Gives up to many catches and gets beat off the turn. He has the traits to do it, he just doesn’t do it with any consistency. He is better versus the shorter routes. He is very good in run support and can be an aggressive tackler. Because of his run support and tackling skills and his problems with press, he may be better off playing inside at safety where he could have a bright future. He will most likely get a lot of work in the spring during the pre-draft process.
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