December 23, 2015 - Greg Gabriel
Breaking Down DE's Shawn Oakman and Noah Spence
Shawn Oakman – DE – Baylor
Oakman is a fifth-year senior and two-year starter for Baylor. He originally enrolled at Penn State in 2011 and was redshirted that year. He then transferred to Baylor and had to sit out the 2012 season as a transfer. He was a backup in 2013 and recorded 33 total tackles and 2.0 sacks. He became a starter in 2014 and had his best season as a college player, recording 51 total tackles, 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. This past season as a starter he recorded 43 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. Oakman usually lines up at right defensive end and plays in a rotation.
Size –
6070 – 275 – 4.78 (all estimates)
Strong Points –
Height and length, had a productive 2014 season. Flashes some pass rush talent. Has a burst.
Weak Points –
Plays tall, is tight in the knees and hips. Is not a natural bender. Lacks top instincts and is slow to react and find the ball. Lacks good hand use and is slow to shed. Does not protect his legs and gets cut far too often. Don’t see a consistent competitive toughness. Played like he was protecting himself in 2015. Does not make anywhere near the number of plays he should.
Summation –
One of the most disappointing players I have done this year. Has a lot of hype, but his play does not match the hype. Has good initial quickness but gets tall out of his stance. Not a natural bender and has tightness in his hips. Does not do a good job protecting his legs and gets cut often. Can be slow to react and slow to find ball. Gets tied up with blocks and shed to slowly. As a pass rusher if he doesn’t beat his opponent with his initial quickness he is dead. Lacks moves and a plan. Overall, will get drafted higher than my grade because he has size and some natural traits that few have. Has a lot of work to do if he wants to be a successful NFL player. Very raw and not instinctive.
Noah Spence – DE – Eastern Kentucky
The former 5 star recruit originally enrolled and played for Ohio State. Was a reserve who played better than 200 snaps as a true freshman in 2012. In 2013 he was a starter at defensive end and finished with 52 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He did not play during the 2014 season and then this year lined up as a defensive end for Eastern Kentucky. He finished the season with 63 tackles, 11.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. He graduated this December and will enter the 2016 NFL Draft. He will also play in the Senior Bowl.
Size –
6030 – 260 – 4.68 (all estimates)
Strong Points –
Has adequate defensive end size. He is a very good athlete with speed and very good change of direction and body control. Dominates the FCS level of competition. Excellent edge pass rusher with moves and power. Has the frame to carry 270+. Plays the run well, can shed blocks quickly and get to the ball. Has the speed to catch plays form behind. Top competitor.
Weak Points –
Has character issues and was dismissed from Ohio State.
Summation –
Spence is the best edge rusher I have seen to date this year. He totally dominates the FCS level of comp and dominated games versus Kentucky and North Carolina State. Has played on both sides and from both a 2-point and 3-points stance. Has great initial quickness, very good instincts and gets to the ball. As a pass rusher he can burn the edge, use moves or bull rush. He is consistently double teams and chipped yet he still makes plays. Overall, he is a very talented player with high first round talent. Where he gets drafted will depend on how clubs feel about the character issues. Can play as a 4-3 defensive end or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4. Because of the issues, he will be a wild card type selection.
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