Draft Profile: Best of the Rest- D-Linemen
Apr 25, 2008, 4:07PM
Defensive Tackles
Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 308) - When Balmer first enrolled at UNC, he was a 250-pound defensive end. Three years of mediocre production - and weight gain - led to Balmer’s breakout with a shift to tackle when Butch Davis and a new coaching staff was installed. Much of it can be attributed to defensive line coach John Blake. Starting all 12 games for the Tar Heels, he registered 59 tackles, with 9.5 going for negative yards, and added 3.5 sacks, quickly rising on many draft boards.
In his own words: (Balmer on playing for new coaches at UNC) “It went very well. Coach Davis and his staff helped me elevate my game. I look for big things out of North Carolina in the future, because I know what type of coaches they are. I know what type of players they have there.”
Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame (6-1, 304) - Laws spent his first three seasons in South Bend as a left defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense, but really came on last year moving to end in a 3-4 alignment. As a senior, Laws led the team with a career-high 112 tackles and was the only down lineman to rank among the nation's top 100-tackle producers during 2007. He is versatile, and can use his squat frame to create leverage, comparable to the Ravens’ Kelly Gregg.
In his own words: (Laws on playing end and tackle at the Senior Bowl) “It's definitely different. I got a chance to play all week at the Senior Bowl inside [in a] 4-3 style defense. It was refreshing getting back to that because I had been so used to it my whole college career. I feel pretty comfortable everywhere across a d-line front, both at end in a 3-4 and inside in a 4-3."
Pat Sims, DT, Auburn (6-2, 310) - Sims is somewhat of an enigma. He was highly touted entering school in 2004, but left Auburn after the season opener for two years as he dealt with family issues. His return in 2006 was rocky at first, but he then broke out the following campaign when he stepped into the starting lineup. He broke fingers on his left hand early in the year and had to wear a cast, but still managed 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks en route to an All-SEC first-team bid.
In his own words: (Sims on returning to football after two years) “Once I came back, it was me all over again. I was back into it. I missed hitting people, grabbing on people, pretty much my love of football. When I spent time away from football, it gave me a chance to think about what I really want to do in life, a lot of time to evaluate myself and see where I was going to become a better player.”
Defensive Ends
Calias Campbell, DE, Miami (6-8, 290) - For such a giant prospect, Campbell turned in a pedestrian 2007 campaign. He was touted as a preseason All-American, but only posted six sacks and 50 tackles as the Hurricanes flopped. This came after a dominant 2006 season where Campbell had 55 stops - 20.5 behind the line of scrimmage - and 10.5 sacks. Still, his potential is incredible, and with his size, long arms and athleticism, he could be an impact player in the right system.
In his own words: (Campbell on a disappointing 2007 season for Miami and personally) "It was a tough season for everybody across the board. Very tough. I could have played a lot better, I worked hard and I thought I played very well against the run. I could have had a couple more sacks, but I played through a couple nicks, small injuries.''
Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State (6-3, 266) - Gholston is explosive, both in strength and speed, and he possesses the talent to be considered a top-five pick. He established himself as a prime-time player last year, when he finished with a school-record 14 sacks. Oddly, he only notched 37 tackles, but his presence in the backfield was exceptional. Consistently competing against the combination of Ohio State’s talented offensive linemen and Big Ten players, Gholston is ready to compete at the next level.
In his own words: (Gholston on whether he prefers linebacker or defensive end) "I love playing defensive end. I love getting after the quarterback and affecting the game that way. But at the end of the day, whatever the team that picks me wants [me to play]."
Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (6-3, 255) - Groves is an athletic ‘tweener that could excel as a linebacker in the pros. At Auburn, he was a disruptive force through most of his career. He worked his way into the rotation as a redshirt freshman and produced right away. Groves earned All-SEC first-team honors as a junior, but was bothered by toe injuries during the 2007 season. Still, he racked up a team-high 23 pressures and three sacks.
In his own words: (Groves on his motivation) "I was a self-motivator. I motivated myself to be the best. That's what I wanted to do in college. If I was shooting marbles, I wanted to be the best marble-shooter around. I try to be the best at anything I do."
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida (6-5, 271) - Harvey’s height, wingspan and pure speed make him a major problem for offensive tackles. A native of Greenbelt, Md., Harvey really came on towards the end of his career. He was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player in the BCS National Championship Game in early 2007, when he posted three sacks and recovered a fumble in a win over Ohio State. Harvey took that momentum to the ensuing campaign, posting 49 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. Over his three-year career, Harvey owns 20.5 sacks.
In his own words: (Harvey on playing linebacker or defensive end) “I had a lot of experience [in coverage]. I dropped every game. We run five zones at Florida, so everyone had to drop a lot. I like my hand down rushing the passer, but it doesn't matter. I can do anything."
Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson (6-4, 275) - Despite his impressive size, Merling is a speedy end very productive during three years at Clemson. He was an All-ACC second-team selection, but was also dominant, posting 78 tackles, 17 stops for losses, seven sacks and 21 pressures last season. Merling might not be a better pass rusher than fellow Tiger Gaines Adams (a first-rounder in 2007), but he is a all-around great prospect.
In his own words: (Merling on coming out early) “I think I’m ready to play in the NFL. I had a pretty good college year. I played my freshman year and I stared my sophomore and junior years. I learned a lot playing next to Gaines Adams and LaCharles Bentley, so I matured a lot on the football field and this was probably a good time for me to leave.”
