1. Abdul Hodge - Iowa Hawkeyes - 6'1" 236 lbs.

Positives

Hodge is an instinctive player that has a knack for being in the right position. He is a tough and aggressive player that doesn't mind mixing it up. He has good lateral movement and is very adept at reading ticks from the offense. He is a very sound tackler and has great closing burst. Uses his hands effectively to shed blocks. Intelligent player that is rarely caught out of position, Hodge is known as a big hitter. Is great at blitzing the QB, and does not bite on play action fakes.

Negatives

Doesn't have ideal size for an inside LB. Has stiff hips and limited range in zone coverage. Takes him a while to get to full speed, and he isn't as quick as one would like. Needs to gather his feet when changing direction which slows him down.

Numbers Game

453 - He ranks 7th in Division 1-A history in career tackles.

NFL Comparison

Ray Lewis

Summary

Abdul Hodge is an aggressive, intelligent, and instinctive playmaker that loves to make the big hit. He's not as technically sound as Ray Lewis, nor does he cover as well, but he has the nose for the football, and aggressive play, just like Lewis. Every team needs an inside LB like Abdul. He will make plays, not make too many mistakes, and eventually develop into a team leader and locker room motivator. Hodge was destined to be a great NFL LB, and has the intensity to dominate at his position.

2. D'Qwell Jackson - Maryland Terrapins - 6'1" 230 lbs.

Positives

A very versatile athlete that spent time at QB, FB, LB and P in high school. He plays with a good pad level and uses his natural leverage to his advantage. He moves very well from sideline to sideline and has the speed to be effective in coverage. He is adept at hand fighting, and uses his hands to shed low blocks effectively. He is a very instinctive player that has a quick first step. His nose for the football is outstanding and he targets the ball carrier or QB very quickly. His tackling is very sound, and his mechanics are textbook. He has a great work ethic and is a natural leader.

Negatives

Doesn't hit with enough pop. Can get caught up in the trash at the middle of the line of scrimmage. Doesn't have the upper body strength to detach from bigger linemen.

Numbers Game

6 and 8 - Has 6 interceptions and 8 deflected passes in his college career.

NFL Comparison

Derrick Brooks

Summary

D'Qwell Jackson is a solid ILB, and will make any team happy. He takes good pursuit angles and has a great understanding of blocking schemes. Despite his lack of upper body strength he can get on the edge and disrupt the play by batting the ball down. His quick first step often takes blockers by surprise and he can take advantage of them with his natural athletic ability. He plays with intensity, but doesn't let his emotions get the best of him. He has been bothered in recent years with a lingering elbow injury, and last spring he had surgery on his wrist. Jackson will have to go to the right system to be truly effective in the NFL, preferably a Cover 2 scheme. He will be able to add more weight to his frame, and that should help him shed blockers at the NFL level.

3. Gerris Wilkinson - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - 6'3" 233 lbs.

Positives

Wilkinson is a fine athlete that can disrupt an offense in any number of ways. He has the instincts to always be around the ball and is a very sound tackler that gets enough pop to jar opponents. He has large hands and knows how to secure the pigskin when he gets his hands on it. His favorite move to get to the QB is the swim move, and he has a near perfect one. And if he can't get to the QB he uses his long arms to bat passes down at the line of scrimmage. He plays with a good motor and is willing to hustle to make the play. He consistently plays until the whistle and doesn't back down from a fight. He has great initial quickness and a good closing burst.

Negatives

He prefers to avoid blocks when sometimes it's best suited to engage. His coverage skills leave a lot to be desired. Can get caught up in traffic. He needs to show better footwork when working down the line of scrimmage.

Numbers Game

40.5" - His vertical leap allows him to be disruptive for a QB's throwing lane.

NFL Comparison

Jashon Sykes

Summary

Gerris Wilkinson is a very versatile athlete. During his career at Georgia Tech he lined up at DE, MLB, and ILB. Because of his size he really doesn't have a true position. What position he ends up playing won't be decided until draft day. Some scouts feel he's best served as a weakside OLB, while others think that he should stay at ILB. Regardless of where he plays Wilkinson has the passion, ability, and intelligence to be a solid pro for years to come.

4. Tim Dobbins - Iowa State Cyclones - 6'1" 246 lbs.

Positives

Dobbins is a disciplined player that is very aggressive at the point of attack. He stays strong against a double team and cannot be pushed aside easily. At his best when he's playing inside where he can lower his pads and get a good base. He bats quite a few passes down at the line of scrimmage and has a good feel for when the QB is going to throw the ball. He is a very athletic player and has good balance and agility.

Negatives

A little stiff in the hips, which prevents him from dropping well in coverage, and limits his lateral quickness. He plays with the intent of getting the big hit, which leads to sloppy tackling.

Numbers Game

24 - Dobbins started in every game he played in for Iowa State.

NFL Comparison

Akin Ayodele

Summary

Tim Dobbins is all about run stopping ability. He has a very quick mind, which allows him to process and read what the offense is doing in a hurry. He fills run lanes effectively, and plays with a lot of "pop" at the point of attack. His aggressive play can sometimes get him in trouble when he over-pursues a play. He is a liability in pass defense and therefore could be limited to 2 downs. His value is limited, but he does have passion and intensity that cannot be coached.

5. Dale Robinson - Arizona State - 6'0" 231 lbs.

Positives

Robinson can get to full speed in a hurry. He has a good knack for working his way through the trash in the middle effectively. He is a very instinctive player, and has a good closing burst. He can anticipate a play very well, and always seems to be around the ball. Uses his hands very well in order to shed blockers. He has a low center of gravity, which allows him to stack up opponents and work through them. His tackling is textbook, and he always takes good pursuit angles to get to the ball carrier. He has good hip swerve and is very alert in pass coverage.

Negatives

Gets caught off guard if he tries to run around blockers. Lacks the long speed to stay with receivers on the perimeter. He is best served putting pressure on the QB from the middle, rather than the edge.

Numbers Game

28 - Despite only playing 2 seasons for the Sun Devils, Robinson ranks 10th on the all-time career list for tackles for a loss.

NFL Comparison

Larry Foote

Summary

Dale Robinson is an intelligent player that makes up for his lack of size with great instincts and an aggressive nature. He is not afraid to mix it up with linemen that often outweigh him by 50 pounds or more. He plays with good reaction and can close on the ball carrier or quarterback in a hurry. He has shown a consistent ability to drive ball carriers back with his bone-jarring style. He doesn't have good long speed, but rather a great short area burst. He does have great pad speed, so one needs to look passed his timed speed. He is more than likely a 2nd day prospect, but one that represents value, hard work, and determination. He will make a nice fit on most any team.