Ourlads' Profile:
2022 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about ERIC JOHNSON:
Missouri State, 6042 293 5.05. Four-year starter, Plainfield, IL. Second-team All-MVFC in 2020-21. FCS prospect with ideal size and length for the position. His 83-inch wingspan is off the charts. Was a dominant linebacker in high school as well as being an all-state wrestler. Grew in college to 300 pounds. An unheralded prospect that made a name for himself at the NFLPA game and then at Senior Bowl practices as a late add-on. Played primarily as a one technique eating up space and taking on double teams. Solid at the point of attack, he can dominate the line of scrimmage and required consistent double teams. Quick at the snap he can penetrate a gap and disrupt in the backfield. Wrestling background shows with balance and leverage engaging blockers. Can be quick to shed if his long arms get to the blocker. Moves well laterally coming off a block. Tackles well in-line with drive and finish. As a pass rusher displayed a variety of moves at the Senior Bowl including rip arm under, push/pull and a quick tight spin move. The scheme he played in didn’t give him a lot of one-on-one opportunities that he got during all-star game practices. He didn’t have a lot of pass rush production in college as a result. Can get high on blocks occasionally and has some trouble with a quick punch by an athletic guard. Before the Senior Bowl he would have been a free agent, but at this point he should get drafted. His traits and what he did against some of the best linemen in the country can’t be ignored.
2021 stats: 43 T, 6.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 5 QBH, 2 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR, 3 BK. Sixth/seventh round. (A-33, H-10 1/8, BP-20, 10-1.70).