Part 5, DL: Does Jalen Carter love football?

The NFL isn't sure. Bob McGinn's draft series continues with the No. 1 question in this year's draft. The 6-foot-3, 323-pounder is a mystery — so 15 football execs are asked this very question.

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This is the 39th year that Bob McGinn has written an NFL Draft Series. Previously, it appeared at the Green Bay Press-Gazette (1085-’91), the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1992-’17), BobMcGinnFootball.com (2018-’19), The Athletic (2020-’21) and, now, GoLongTD.com (2022-’23). Until 2014, many personnel people were quoted by name. The series reluctantly adopted an all-anonymous format in 2015 at the request of many scouts. The 12-minute, 50-question Wonderlic test no longer is administered at the NFL combine. Players generally took the test at spring 2022 timing days, all-star games and at pro days in March and April. The NFL average score is about 19.

Today, Part 5: Defensive Line.

In the days leading up to an NFL draft almost 40 years ago, Dick Steinberg and his peers in the NFL scouting community were coming to grips with the exhausting uncertainty of evaluating defensive linemen.

From the first round of 1985, Bruce Smith and Chris Doleman made the Hall of Fame, Ray Childress was a perennial Pro Bowler, Ron Holmes and William “The Refrigerator” Perry were solid players and Kevin Brooks and Darryl Sims were busts.

“There’s been more mistakes made in the defensive line than any other position in the last 15 years,” said Steinberg, at the time director of player development for the New England Patriots. “The biggest reason is inconsistent competitiveness.”

Nothing much has changed. Other than quarterback, one could argue that a defensive tackle with dominant traits might be the most difficult to find and the hardest to evaluate. Because their value is extreme, teams always have and probably always will loosen their grading criteria and reach on big people.

Four days remain to the draft. Staffers and scouts place eleventh-hour phone calls seeking telling nuggets about a player’s past. The general manager and head coach close the door and watch tape of someone for the 10th time. For teams with a selection in the first round, one player demands a decision. That is Georgia’s Jalen Carter, one of those inconsistent competitors with bountiful athletic gifts.

Even casual football fans know about the tragic mid-January night in Athens, Ga., when Carter raced his Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk against a Ford Expedition late at night just hours after the team’s parade for winning a second consecutive national championship. The Expedition was traveling about 100 miles per hour when it slammed into a power pole. Two people were killed.

Carter lied to police about his proximity to the crash. In mid-March, he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. He was sentenced to 12 months on probation and ordered to pay a fine, perform community service and attend a safe-driving course.

“That was all about half lies, half-baked truths,” said an executive in personnel for an NFL team. “The championship is over so he’s out from under their purview and he’s racing on the streets of Athens and people get killed. He had to lie like a dog at the combine. And there’s not one person there at Georgia that will endorse him. What are the red flags here?”

Enraged though they might be about that tragedy not to mention Carter’s ticket in September for driving 89 mph in a 45-mph zone, teams now must make a multi-millionaire business/football decision about a controversial player that remains eligible for the draft.

“The arrest thing and all that, you can deal with it,” said another executive. “You can help guys get through some off-the-field staff and mature.”

In interviews with 15 football executives over the past three weeks, the overriding question regarding Carter is singular: Does he love football?

If teams conclude that Carter does, they might select him. If teams don’t, they will rule him out.

“His football character’s a mess,” said one evaluator. “You can’t compromise football character. If they don’t love football and they don’t know how to work, it’s going to be hard for them to become who they should become.”

Another scout said Carter had demonstrated to him during his three-year career that he didn’t love football and didn’t love the weight room. His conditioning became such an issue at Georgia that the coaches put him on the treadmill almost daily.

In March, Carter showed up at pro day weighing 323 pounds, nine more than at the combine. After Joe Cullen, the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, orchestrated drill work for the assembled NFL audience, Carter ran out of gas and abruptly quit.

“He put him through the ringer,” said an executive. “They were trying to break him, and he broke. No, it’s not a black mark. It’s a question mark, not a black mark.”

He continued: “They’re young dudes. They all got issues. Some of them have more than others. When it comes down to playing the game there had never been anything criminal until recently. He does stuff that other people can’t. I don’t think he’ll fall out of the first round or anything like that. He’s too risky for the top 10 for me because, when you think of the top 10, you think of face of the franchise and second contracts.”

Another personnel chief gave Carter a 70-30 chance to succeed in the NFL.

“I don’t trust that he likes football,” he said. “Supremely talented, immature, does it on his pace. … If he loved football, I mean really loved it, he’d be a f--king beast.

“He’ll wind up being like an average NFL guy. It’ll be like (the) dumb ass from Tennessee. What was his name? Haynesworth.”

In March 2002, Albert Haynesworth (6-5 ½, 320) ran a 4.93 at pro day in Knoxville. After that, Tim Krumrie, the gung-ho defensive line coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, put Haynesworth through his paces. After a while, Haynesworth just quit just like Carter did 21 years later in Athens. Haynesworth, the sixth defensive lineman selected, went 15th.

At the time, Haynesworth was compared to Chester McGlockton (6-4, 337, 5.05), the 16th player selected in 1992, and Darrell Russell (6-4 ½, 325, 4.85), the second player picked in 1997. Today, Carter (6-3, 323), who by choice didn’t run a 40, bench press, perform jumps or attempt shuttle runs, is being compared by veteran scouts to those three mega-talented underachievers.

“He’s in that mode, same category,” one scout said. “He reminded me (most) of Darrell Russell. He made a couple Pro Bowls and had like seven (substance abuse) suspensions, then got killed in a car wreck (in 2005).”

McGlockton played 12 seasons for four teams and was voted to four Pro Bowls. Before the ’92 draft, scouts described him as a rather obnoxious individual who didn’t even try on about half the plays at Clemson and would rather not have practiced.

“Somebody may fall for it,” Steinberg, then the general manager of the New York Jets, said a few weeks before the Raiders drafted McGlockton. “Maybe he’ll change and compete harder, but he never has in his history.”

Carter’s up-and-down level of intensity and production has left a similar impression on the scouts of today.

“There is potential for bust, yes,” an evaluator said. “It’s all up to him. Those guys, Haynesworth (10 years) and McGlockton, played at least for a while. They got big contracts. Carter would love to have a Chester McGlockton and Albert Haynesworth career length and the amount of money they made.”

Would the careers of McGlockton (four Pro Bowls, 51 sacks) and Haynesworth (two Pro Bowls, 30 ½ sacks) satisfy Carter’s suitors? That depends on expectations.

My poll of 16 evaluators saw Carter emerge as a unanimous choice. He totaled the maximum 80 points in 1-2-3-4-5 balloting.

Eleven others received votes, including Bryan Bresee (38), Keeanu Benton (28), Mazi Smith (26), Calijah Kancey (24), Keion White (19), Adetomiwa Adebawore (seven), Gervon Dexter (five), Zacch Pickens (five), Siaki Ika (three), Tyler Lacy (three) and Byron Young (two).

“There were 19 defensive tackles officially at the combine and 40-plus defensive ends,” one personnel director said. “The emphasis on defensive tackles just isn’t there in college ball so there just aren’t that many.”

For much more on Carter and the entire class of defensive linemen, here are the full individual scouting reports with analysis from scouts and execs across the NFL.

• Part 4, RB: 'There’s nothing he can’t do'

• Part 3, QB: Bryce Young has the 'S2' advantage

• Part 2, OL: Buyer Beware

• Part 1, WR/TE: Hallelujah, it's the Year of the Tight End

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DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

1. JALEN CARTER, Georgia (6-3, 323, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. Started 13 games in his 38-game career. “The best player (in the draft), just football-wise, is Jalen Carter,” one scout said. “He’s the best pass rusher if he plays hard. He’ll go in the Top 10 but he should be the first defensive player off the board. Because when he plays, there’s no one who can block him. He doesn’t play hard every snap. You’ve got to check out everything on him with the car crash. But if some coach can push the right buttons on this kid they’ll have a Pro Bowler.” Can a defensive line coach, given the climate in the NFL today, still have a major impact on a young player? “Now they can’t go out there and yell and scream at these guys because then those guys would just balk,” a second scout said. “There were guys (in the past) that could punch those guys’ buttons and get ‘em going. You can’t really do that anymore.” A 5-star recruit from Apopka, Fla., the hometown of Hall of Fame DT Warren Sapp, he had no sacks in 2020, three in ’21 and three in ’22. “Is that great?” said a third scout. “Six sacks in three years? He’s a great talent. I don’t think he's a great player.” Finished with 83 tackles (18 ½ for loss), two forced fumbles and no recovered fumbles. “He hasn’t played a high volume of snaps and you’re going to have to get comfortable with who he is,” said a fourth scout. “At the pro day, it looked like he wasn’t prepared to play a high volume of snaps. He missed some time (two games, sprained MCL), them came back against Tennessee and was an animal. Then toward the end of the playoff run he kind of tapered off a little bit.” Is Carter lazy on the field? “That’s debatable,” a fifth scout said. “You can’t expect him to make every play. Guys take plays off. But when he’s on you can’t block him.” Arms were 33 ½ inches, hands were 10 ¼ inches. “I don’t think his level of like or love (of football) is a concern,” said a sixth scout. “The concern with me are the life skills away from the building. If he had Reggie White, a guy like that as an older mentor, this kid has enough awareness about him that he would gravitate toward that. If the main leader was (a different type individual), he also could go down that road. You better not bring him in your locker room if you don’t have established leadership and a plan in place because this could go either way with the kid.” Raised by his mother, Toni Brown. “They haven’t found a person yet at Georgia that wasn’t relieved that the season ended and he was gone,” said a seventh scout. “Not one. What’s ironic about it is Georgia would have won the national championship without him but they would not have won it without Stetson Bennett. And he’s so far down the rail we’re not even talking about him.” Scored 10 on the Wonderlic test.

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2. BRYAN BRESEE, Clemson (6-5 ½, 302, 4.91, 1-2): Third-year sophomore. “He’s one of the hardest guys to do all year,” said one scout. “To really watch him, the ACC Championship Game, he was pretty good. Then you’ve got to go back to 2020 to really feel him. The talent’s there. Just watch the Tennessee game. Tennessee’s got a pretty good offensive line. There’s a history of injuries. The unknown is, is he breaking down or is it just bad luck? He’s a 3-technique and a 5-technique. He goes 25 to 40.” Suffered a sprained left knee in February 2020 shortly after enrolling and a torn left ACL in Game 4 of 2021. Missed four more games in ’22 with a kidney infection brought on by strep throat. In 2022, his younger sister died after a long battle with cancer. “He started to look like himself at the very end of the season,” said a second scout. “Then he had a good combine and a good pro day. He might end up being OK now that all this is over and can maybe get back on his feet again.” Short arms (32 ½), hands were 10 1/4. “He’s explosive, strong and powerful,” said a third scout. “I liked his effort. I also thought he played too high, which is also of concern.” Finished with 50 tackles (15 for loss) and nine sacks. “I’m not a big Bresee guy,” a third scout said. “By the way, he’d play two plays and have to come off the field and take a knee.” Tallied 16 on the Wonderlic. “Just a try-hard, limited guy,” a fourth scout said. “He got knocked around. Stiff and limited. I guess because he was the No. 1 recruit in the country people are trying to make something out of him. Hit or miss. I didn’t see it.” From Damascus, Md.

3. KEEANU BENTON, Wisconsin (6-3 ½, 311, 5.13, 1-2): Four-year starter at nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. “He’s done well for himself since the end of the season,” one scout said. “He’s not going to be a pass-rushing, penetrating 3-technique but he’s got long enough arms (33 7/8) that he could play across the front for a 3-4 team. He showed a little more athleticism than I gave him credit for.” Finished with 80 tackles (19 for loss) in 45 games and nine sacks. “More of a flash guy but he did improve on that this year,” said a second scout. “Just (more) willing to work on his endurance. He’s quick and can initiate contact. Uses his length well. Does have some pass-rush value just because of his athleticism off the snap. He could ascend to be a starter. Arrow up.” Forged a record of 127-8 as a prep wrestler. “Really strong lock-out,” said a third scout. “Just jack people up and throw ‘em and make plays. At the Senior Bowl he showed better lower-body flexibility, better initial quickness, more disruptive up-field ability. His best football is ahead of him.” Wonderlic of 18. Added a fourth scout: “The lights went on midseason. He’s got a unique skill set, the combination with his hands and his feet to rush the passer from the interior. He’s stout enough to hold the point. He’ll do nothing but get better, and he is a good dude. He’s not a nose. He’s got to be a 3-tech in a four-man line. He goes late first; I don’t think there’s a maybe attached to that.” From Janesville, Wis.

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4. MAZI SMITH, Michigan (6-3, 319, no 40, 2): Labeled as “the best true nose in the draft” by one scout. Made just three tackles in 2019-’20 before starting all 28 games in 2021-’22. “Very gifted athlete-size combination,” a second scout said. “Doesn’t necessarily play as hard as he should all the time. He’ll go second round because those big bodies with that athleticism are nearly impossible to find. Obviously, the character concerns could play into that. Playing (the run) requires a lot of discipline and toughness and grit. I don’t think he’s wired that way. Just going off the physical component … well then, absolutely. But that’s when people make mistakes.” Avoided jail time in January. Sentenced to 12 months on probation for a misdemeanor weapons charge. “The gun issue was a stupid thing on his part that he let happen,” said a third scout. “He had already applied for his damn (gun) permit.” Finished with 88 tackles (six for loss) and one-half sack. “Disruptive player,” said a fourth scout. “My concerns would be his motor and strain consistently throughout the game. He’s got a lot of physical tools to play nose on early downs. He can collapse the pocket, but I don’t know if he can burst and close on a guy. But with those noses, shit, if you can get anything in the pass game that’s a plus.” Arms were 33 ¾, hands were 9 ¾. “I wasn’t impressed,” a fifth scout said. “He’s stiff. He doesn’t shed blockers or move to the ball very well. I thought his instincts and his natural strength and explosion were poor for an inside guy. He is not a good football player and I don’t think he’s a good athlete. He’s just a bull in a china shop. Those guys get stalled easy up here. He’s really wide. He just doesn’t play with his arms or his elbows in tight.” Wonderlic of 22. From Grand Rapids, Mich.

5. CALIJAH KANCEY, Pittsburgh (6-1, 283, 4.73, 2): Had a great combine; led the position in the 3-cone (7.00). “Who’s the most intriguing guy?” one scout said. “Calijah Kancey. He’s a whirling dervish. Heck of a football player. I think of John Randle. Played a little bit on the edge but I liked him inside. He splits double teams from time to time.” The obvious comparison would be Rams nonpareil DT Aaron Donald (6-1, 286, 4.66), a first-round pick from Pitt in 2014. “He’s not Aaron Donald,” another scout said. “He struggles when they get the big bodies on with the double teams and combination blocks. But he’s got some inside pass rush. Plays hard. Just small.” Fourth-year junior, three-year starter at 3-technique in a 4-3 defense. “He’s got value because teams throw the football and he can take advantage of any guard in the league based on his burst and athleticism,” a third scout said. “But just knowing the way these offensive lines are built, those big guys with length, he’ll have problems with them if you want to stop the run. He’s the best 3-technique sub rusher in the draft this year. There are no character flaws.” Finished with 92 tackles (34 ½ for loss) and 16 sacks. “Thirty-inch (30 5/8) arms,” a fourth scout said. “We’re not going to take a guy that small unless it’s Aaron Donald.” Wonderlic of 14. “People are hot to trot on him,” said a fifth scout. “Fun to watch but he’s so small that he’s going to be a package player, not a full-time starter. I don’t know how you take a part-time player in the first round. He’s got some pass rush. Can he get to Josh Allen? Yeah, but can he get him on the ground? I don’t know.” From Miami.

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6. KEION WHITE, Georgia Tech (6-5, 281, 4.49, 2-3): Sixth-year senior, spending three years at Old Dominion after being a 2-star recruit before entering the transfer portal in 2020 when the school’s season was canceled because of the pandemic. Played tight end in 2017-’18 before shifting to DE in spring 2019. “I thought he had a tremendous Senior Bowl,” said one scout. “You saw some length, some explosive movement. But he feels he’s a true 4-3 D-end. I don’t think he’s built to be a 5-technique (in a 3-4 defense).” Moving to Georgia Tech, he missed the first eight games of 2021 with a dislocated ankle before starting 12 in ’22. “Has the strength and speed to penetrate inside or off the edge,” said a second scout. “He’s an unpolished rusher. Just a little bit raw with his hands. He does have athleticism, but he needs work on the little things — pass-rush moves.” Arms were 34, hands were 10 1/8. “He’s not very good as an interior defensive lineman and he wasn’t that good as an outside linebacker,” said a third scout. “He’s a man without a plan.” Finished with 120 tackles (33 ½ for loss) and 11 sacks. “Just kind of a lumbering, uncoordinated guy,” said a fourth scout. “Plays hard. Bangs around in there. Nothing on the pass rush from the edge. Has to do more inside. Just a size guy that plays with effort you’re hoping to develop into something. I see him as a 3-4 end. He has no chance out on the edges. Definitely not a 4-3 DE. Ideally, I wouldn’t want him before the fourth. He’s just a guy.” Wonderlic of 24. From Garner, N.C.

7. ADETOMIWA ADEBAWORE, Northwestern (6-1 ½, 283, 4.50, 2-3): Moved up with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and an even better one at the combine after playing for NU teams that went 4-20 in 2021-’22. “He’s everybody’s anointed savior,” said one scout. “Workout warrior. Plays 100 mph, like his hair’s on fire. His production is average. The effort is phenomenal. The want is there. The athleticism? Pedestrian. Way different animal (than Kancey). One’s a stiff, robotic, I’ll-rip-your-head-off guy. Kancey is so smooth.” Led the position in the vertical jump (37 ½), broad jump (10-5) and short shuttle (4.26). “In the past he was an edge player and this year he played a lot more inside,” said a second scout. “He’s definitely an inside player. He’s good on tape but showed to be very good at the Senior Bowl and excellent at the combine. He’s wired the right way, your stereotypical Northwestern guy. It’s hard to say he’s not going to be a great pro because he’s got (everything) to be that. He might be better as a rusher but he’s done things in the run game, especially against the lateral run game. He can go chase down the runner and works off blocks really well. With the way the game is now, it’s more lateral than downhill.” Finished with 97 tackles (24 ½ for loss) and 12 ½ sacks. “All in all, you do see he’s athletic as hell and super explosive,” said a third scout. “Plays his ass off. But he’s always going to be a tweener. More of an early-down (4-3) end and an inside pass rusher. His (combine) was an all-timer. He has more length (33 7/8 arms) than Kancey. He can play out on the edge more. Better athlete.” Wonderlic of 24. From Kansas City.

8. ZACCH PICKENS, South Carolina (6-4, 295, 4.93, 2-3): A 5-star recruit, he was the No. 1 DT in the class of 2019. “Big, explosive, girthy and long,” one scout said. “You want to say he’s just a point-of-attack player but you see the quick twitch. That really showed up at the Senior Bowl. Those guys are hard to find.” Started for three years at DT. “More of a 3-technique,” a second scout said. “He’s unrefined. He’s inconsistent with his pass rush. More of a flash player.” Finished with 131 tackles (11 ½ for loss) and 7 ½ sacks. “Kind of an underachiever,” a third scout said. “He’s an athletic big man.” Arms were 34 3/8, just 1/8 less than the longest at the position. “He’ll make a team,” said a fourth scout. “Knows how to play. He'll make a mess in there.” From Anderson, S.C.

9. SIAKI IKA, Baylor (6-3, 347, 5.46, 3-4): Fourth-year junior. “He’s just a, you know, big slug,” offered one scout. Posted the best Wonderlic (27) of the top 20 DTs. “He’s a jolly fella, likes to kid around, have a good time,” said a second scout. “I don’t know how serious he gets into this game. How he dedicates himself to the game will either be his downfall or if he makes it. I’d put him in the middle and try to hold up that middle. I’m worried if he’s going to be a worker, OK? That would be my only reservation on him.” As a freshman, he had 17 tackles in 13 games helping LSU win the national championship. Played just four games in 2020 before heading to the transfer portal. “Two-down only nose,” said a third scout. “Lazy, not great character. He is a strong sumbitch. When he wants to plug a hole he can. But no pass rush.” Finished with 41 tackles (11 for loss) and 5 ½ sacks. Arms were just 32 3/8. “He’s got weight problems,” said a fourth scout. “I don’t know if he’s 380 or 340. Weight will always be an issue. He is stout as f--k. But just a guy.” From Salt Lake City, Utah.

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10. BYRON YOUNG, Alabama (6-3 ½, 295, no 40, 3-4): Four-year starter at DE in a 3-4 defense. “He’s kind of getting lost in this class,” one scout said. “Last year, (Alabama’s) Phidarian Mathis went in the second and Byron Young’s a better player. More disruptive, more explosive. He’s in that lineage of Alabama defensive linemen. He can two-gap and hold the point and is a good technician with heavy hands. Plays hard. You can move him all over the place. I don’t think he’ll ever be a Pro Bowl player but definitely a solid starter.” Arms were 34 3/8, his hands were a position-largest 11. “Really steady, good football player,” a second scout said. “Not going to be flashy. Going to be lunch pail. Going to play for 12 years.” Finished with 138 tackles (22 for loss) and 7 ½ sacks. “I didn’t think he was very good at all,” said a third scout. “Plays end and inside, can’t play either. Slow-footed athlete. No production. Gets beat up at the point of attack and has no chance as a pass rusher. But he could get the Alabama bump (upward in the draft).” From Laurel, Miss.

11. GERVON DEXTER, Florida (6-5 ½, 314, 4.97, 3-4): In the 2020 recruiting class, he was the third-ranked DT prospect one berth ahead of Jalen Carter. “He was one of the few guys who played well at Florida,” one scout said. “Became more of an interesting guy as the season progressed, particularly after they lost (Brenton) Cox. He’s a 1-technique. Excellent block control against double teams. Excellent strength and power. Power rusher. More of a line-of-scrimmage guy. Has some quickness. Can push the pocket.” Third-year junior started the past two seasons. “Like him,” another scout said. “He can play 4-3 or 3-4. He’s got enough size to be a shade and enough speed and athleticism to be a 5-tech in a 3-4 instead of a pure nose. It wouldn’t shock me if he went in the second but because of a little inconsistency he could go top of three.” Finished with 125 tackles (9 ½ for loss) and 4 ½ sacks. Arms were just 32 ¼. “He’s an underachiever,” said a third scout. “Has all the physical stuff. I didn’t think he played hard. He plays lazy.” From Lake Wales, Fla.

12. COLBY WOODEN, Auburn (6-4, 278, 4.82, 3-4): Fourth-year junior, three-year starter. “He was playing inside but Andrew Leota got hurt like third or fourth game,” one scout said. “So then they started playing Wooden at defensive end. He was 287 I think in the fall. Then he dropped some weight to play outside. Then he gets to the combine and they have him in the defensive end stack and he was (273). Really, he’s a 285-pound 3-technique tackle. Is he the most physical player? No. But he’s a very athletic guy.” Ran a solid 40 and tested well. Arms were 33 ¾, hands were 10 3/8. “Excellent, excellent kid,” said a second scout. “I think he’s a 5-technique but you’ll have to try him both ways to see what he can do.” Finished with 152 tackles (30 for loss) and 15 sacks. From Lawrenceville, Ga.

13. JALEN REDMOND, Oklahoma (6-2 ½, 292, 4.86, 4): Fifth-year senior and two-year starter. “He is a true 3-technique,” one scout said. “A one-gap 3-tech for a 4-3. The true 4-3 teams are going to have use for him. Those guys are hard to find. Really quick off the ball. Got some power. Plays with good leverage. Can be a disruptive guy. He’s not elite but very solid and could end up being a starter in time.” Missed considerable time with blood clots in his lungs and a knee injury. “Fourth-round type guy,” a second scout said. “He’s every bit as talented as Keeanu (Benton) but he’s inconsistent like Mazi (Smith). I’d bet on him.” Finished with 71 tackles (31 ½ for loss) and 14 sacks. From Midwest City, Okla.

14. JERROD CLARK, Coastal Carolina (6-3 ½, 337, 5.35, 4-5): Redshirted as a TE in 2018, performed briefly as an offensive lineman before moving to the D-line in 2019. “He is a blob,” one scout said. “He’s like an athletic Mt. Cody. Remember him, from Alabama? He’s more mobile and in better shape. Not a pass rusher but you know what, he’s got a chance. He and Pickens will rise to the third-fourth round area. There’s probably a little value to him. He did improve during his time at Coastal.” Terrence Cody was a 360-pound NT drafted in the second round by the Ravens in 2010. He started 21 of 57 games over five seasons. “He’s got some talent,” a second scout said. “He’s a big kid. Huge, and he’s got some quickness and movement.” Finished with 105 tackles (18 for loss) and 7 ½ sacks. “He’s a 3-4 nose,” a third scout said. “You just don’t see it all the time.” From Dorchester, Mass.

15. KOBIE TURNER, Wake Forest (6-2 ½, 293, no 40, 5): Sixth-year senior spent five years at Richmond before playing one season for the Demon Deacons. “He’s an unbelievable singer,” one scout said. “I was blown away. He must love football because he doesn’t need it. Phenomenal kid. Probably the No. 1 kid I covered this year from a character standpoint. More of a 3-technique. Love to have him. Tweener size is his biggest problem.” Never made a start in 13 games last season because Wake had some seniors and the coaches asked him to take a seat to preserve team dynamics. He said, ‘Hey, if you guys need me to come off the bench, I’ll do that.’ But I can’t figure out what people are looking at with him. For a guy who’s undersized I don’t see a great athlete. More busy than productive. Plays hard, but I don’t see him doing a whole lot.” Finished with 187 tackles (43 ½ for loss) and 18 sacks. “Bad body,” a third scout said. “Unconventional player. Finds his way into the backfield. You don’t really know how he’s doing it. You worry about the traits and if there’s any upside there, or is he just a good college player?” Wonderlic of 26. His 31 reps on the bench paced the position. Short arms (31 3/8). From Clifton, Va.

OTHERS: Karl Brooks, Bowling Green; Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State; Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky; Cameron Young, Mississippi State; Jaquelin Roy, Louisiana State; Moro Ojomo, Texas; P.J. Mustipher, Penn State; D.J. Dale, Alabama; Jacob Slade, Michigan State; Nesta Silvera, Arizona State; Keondre Coburn, Texas; Scott Matlock, Boise State; Dante Stills, West Virginia.

THE SKINNY

UNSUNG HERO

Brodric Martin, NT, Western Kentucky: Good big men always have a shot, and Martin is a massive man (6-4 ½, 330) with the longest arms (35) at the position. A no-star recruit from Tuscaloosa, Ala., he spent four years playing the nose for FCS North Alabama before a two-year stay with the Hilltoppers. “He’s a sleeper,” one scout said. “He’s tough and he’s athletic.”

SCOUTS’ NIGHTMARE

P.J. Mustipher, NT, Penn State: He was a two-time captain. He started for three years. He has ideal size (6-4, 319). His brother, Sam, was the Chicago Bears’ starting center the past two seasons. What’s not to like? Mustipher blew out his knee in mid-2021 and wasn’t as effective in ’22. He also has short arms (32 ¾) and small hands (9). “He’ll probably get drafted based on size and there aren’t a ton of 3-4 noses and you’ve got to pay through the nose if you want to sign an offensive or defensive lineman as a (college) free agent,” said one scout. “He’s a great kid … but he’s really overrated.”

SCOUT TO REMEMBER

Ron Waller: What a remarkable life it was for Waller, who died n 2018 at age 85 in his native Delaware. At Maryland, he played for the Terrapins’ national title team in 1953 and was an All-America halfback in ’54. His NFL career began as the Los Angeles Rams’ second-round draft choice in ’55. In coach Sid Gillman’s first season, Waller rushed for 791 yards to finish second behind Alan Ameche for rookie of the year. After his career ended in 1960, Waller was a head coach in the Atlantic Coast Football League from 1966-’71. He joined Harland Svare’s staff in San Diego as special teams coach in 1972. When Svare was fired with six games remaining in ’73, Waller posted a 1-5 record as his replacement. The next year, he served as head coach of the WFL Philadelphia Bell. His career in personnel lasted from 1985-’95 and included the pro scouting director’s job in Kansas City and area college scout for the Rams. Upon returning to Delaware, Waller turned to harness racing. He owned Standardbreds for years, racing primarily in Delaware. “Horses are a lot like athletes and trainers are a lot like coaches,” Waller said in a 2006 interview with U.S. Trotting News. “It’s very similar to football. When I was scouting, I was trying to pick out future players. It’s the same when you buy a horse or claim one … I didn’t relish scouting too much. I was glad I did it but if I had my druthers, I’d have been coaching.”

QUOTE TO NOTE

NFC personnel executive: “When young scouts ask me what to do I tell them, ‘You just look (at the tape) and write down what you see. And when you get through it might not make an ounce of sense, but when you read it all it’s going to make sense.’”

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