Three year starter, Marietta, GA. Second team All-SEC in 2021. Murphy plays as an edge defender normally aligned in a three point stance anywhere from a four to a wide nine alignment. Plays with a high motor and natural knee bend. Quick at the snap his explosive get- off creates penetration on gap moves and power engaging blockers. He closes quickly and makes a lot of plays in the backfield. He uses his length and powerful strike to set the edge to separate and shed blocks. Tough to get around on the perimeter as he can chase to the sideline. Has enough short space agility to redirect inline to make plays inside. As a pass rusher his quickness makes him effective penetrating a gap and working an inside stunt. He can also bull rush into an outside move using his hands and arms to rip over or under. He covers a lot of ground while maintaining his pad level. Adjusts well to quarterback step up. Some stiffness shows at times working the edge. Best fit is a 4-3 defensive end.
3. Smith, Nolan
Georgia 6025 237
Two year starter, Savannah, GA. Smith plays from both a two and three point stance as the Sam linebacker in Georgia’s defense. Excellent run defender he can violently engage blockers to set the edge. Pursues with range on the perimeter and can make plays in space. Used to drop to the flat and cover backs on outside releases he normally finds the throwing lane as a zone defender. Adept at reading screens. Tackles with gather and finish, rarely missing a tackle. Consistently hustles in pursuit. As a pass rusher he shows a quick get off and flashes hand usage in pass rush moves. Decent bend to the quarterback he usually gets up field and is productive pressuring. He normally plays at the right pad level but at times a powerful blocker can knock him upright. He needs to develop more in the pass rush and turn pressures into sacks. He lacks the bulk of an every down defensive end and will likely fit in a 3-4 as a “Buck” linebacker.
4. Anudike-Uzomah, Felix*
Kansas State 6040 255
Two year starter, Kansas City, MO. First team All-Big 12 in 2021. Plays defensive end in Kansas State’s 3-3 base defense. Aligns normally in a five or wide nine alignment and has played upright at times. With extreme quickness at the snap he attacks blockers with strong hands coming from a powerful upper and lower body. Stuns and separates on the move and can quickly redirect off a block to make a play in line. Excellent short space agility gets him to a lot of tackles for a defensive lineman. He’s relentless in pursuit. As a pass rusher the same motor shows as his quickness and long strides gets him around the edge and bending to the quarterback. Shows a bull rush into and arm over or under and he can walk a tackle back to the quarterback, get off and make a play. Protection schemes have to account for him as he is difficult to single block. He could use some refinement in pass rush technique at the next level. That said his talent and NFL upside easily could put him in the first round.
5. Carter ll, Andre
Army 6062 255
Two year starter, Missouri City, TX. Plays outside linebacker in Army’s traditional 3-4 defense. Carter has an imposing frame for an outside linebacker and is remarkably athletic for his height and length. Is a two way linebacker with pass rush and coverage skill. Shows a quick first step to engage a blocker and flashes strong hands to separate from blocks. Has excellent range in pursuit he closes quickly, gathers and finishes tackles. Playing zone coverage he gets depth in his drop with the ability to smoothly flip his hips to find the throwing lane. His length creates problems for quarterbacks on intermediate throws. Quick to break on the throw he’s made some big hits separating receivers from the ball. Extremely productive pass rusher his quick first step gets him into a variety of moves including a powerful arm under. Can bend to the quarterback and close. Also flashes an effective inside counter spin move. Not the best at taking on physical blockers on the edge he needs more consistent knee bend as he can lose leverage. Solid 3-4 outside linebacker prospect.
6. Wilson, Tyree
Texas Tech 6054 270
7. Foskey, Isaiah*
Notre Dame 6045 265
8. Ojulari, B J*
LSU 6030 250
9. Verse, Jared*
Florida State 6040 248
10. McDonald, Will
Iowa State 6040 230
11. Hall, Derrick
Auburn 6025 255
12. Morris, Mike*
Michigan 6060 276
13. Adebawore, Adetomiwa
Northwestern 6016 275
14. Harrison, Zach
Ohio State 6056 266
15. White, Keion
Georgia Tech 6042 283
16. Latu, Laiatu
UCLA 6040 265
17. Tupuola-Fetui, Zion
Washington 6032 246
18 Baldonado, Habakkuk
Pittsburgh 6043 258
19. Young, Byron
Tennessee 6030 245
20. Henry, K J
Clemson 6040 260
21. Wooden, Colby
Auburn 6050 284
22. McGuire, Isaiah*
Missouri 6040 275
23. Tyler, Baron*
Tennessee 6050 260
24. Nchami, Durell*
Maryland 6040 260
25. Tuipulotu, Tuli*
USC 6030 260
26 Hampton, Nick
Appalachian State 6023 228
27. Gaye, Ali
LSU 6060 255
28. Cox, Brenton
Florida 6032 252
29. Jones, D’Anthony
Houston 6020 270
30. Trice, Bralen
Washington 6040 269
31. Mathis, Ochaun*
Nebraska 6050 260
32. Beal, Robert
Georgia 6035 255
33. Wheat, Tyrus
Mississippi State 6021 269
34. Jacoby Windmon
Michigan State 6017 240
35. Okie, Eyabi
Michigan 6044 242
36. Strachan, Jordan
South Carolina 6040 245
37. Leota, Eku
Auburn 6026 259
38. Thomas, Xavier
Clemson 6023 279
* Denotes Underclassman