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STRENGTHS: Fires out of his stance with the quickness to disrupt the backfield?plays the piano, moving up and down the line of scrimmage with a flexible frame and lower body movement skills?shows the pursuit speed to give chase and make plays on the edges?natural pass rush traits to slip bocks with active hands and double-moves, understanding that leverage is his best friend?plays alert as a run defender to plug gaps, tracking the ball well?strikes through his target with pop, wrapping and finishing tackles?hustles and plays with a consistent motor?productive 2014 campaign, finishing second on the team in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (4.5) and quarterback hurries (six).
WEAKNESSES: Needs to develop his frame and continue to add bulk?shorter than ideal with below average length?narrow-based and struggles to shed once engaged?lacks the upper body strength to control the point of attack with predictable hand use?not a power player and easily slowed?inconsistent anchor and can be knocked backwards, struggling to stay balanced through contact?won?t push the pocket or be an instigator?needs to develop secondary pass rush moves and improve his hand placement?minor durability concerns after a meniscus tear in his knee (Nov. 2011) that required surgery?young attitude and might not be ready for a professional lifestyle.
IN OUR VIEW: A surprise early declaration, Philon is best known for his recruiting mess when he emotionally committed to Alabama on signing day, but because of a miscommunication, there wasn?t an offer sheet to sign because Nick Saban wanted him to grayshirt for the 2012 season. Several schools swooped in and Philon signed with Arkansas despite never visiting the campus, redshirting in 2012 as he was still rehabbing from a knee injury his senior season.
He started 18 games the past two seasons and flashed with his quick feet, active hands and low pad level to burst through gaps into the backfield. Philon is still filling out his frame and will likely need a redshirt year as a rookie in the NFL because of his youth, but there is a lot of potential here and should at worst be a sub-package penetrating three-technique in a 4-3 scheme.
--Dane Brugler
Player Overview
A three-star defensive end recruit out of high school, Philon originally committed to Auburn before switching to Alabama, however, he later learned that the Crimson Tide wanted him to grayshirt so he instead committed to Arkansas on signing day.
After redshirting in 2012, he started his redshirt freshman season as a reserve before starting the final five games and recording 46 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Philon started all 13 games in 2014 as a sophomore and finished with 46 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a team-high three fumble recoveries.
He decided to pass up his final two seasons at Arkansas to enter the 2015 NFL Draft.
STRENGTHS: Fires out of his stance with the quickness to disrupt the backfield?plays the piano, moving up and down the line of scrimmage with a flexible frame and lower body movement skills?shows the pursuit speed to give chase and make plays on the edges?natural pass rush traits to slip bocks with active hands and double-moves, understanding that leverage is his best friend?plays alert as a run defender to plug gaps, tracking the ball well?strikes through his target with pop, wrapping and finishing tackles?hustles and plays with a consistent motor?productive 2014 campaign, finishing second on the team in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (4.5) and quarterback hurries (six).
WEAKNESSES: Needs to develop his frame and continue to add bulk?shorter than ideal with below average length?narrow-based and struggles to shed once engaged?lacks the upper body strength to control the point of attack with predictable hand use?not a power player and easily slowed?inconsistent anchor and can be knocked backwards, struggling to stay balanced through contact?won?t push the pocket or be an instigator?needs to develop secondary pass rush moves and improve his hand placement?minor durability concerns after a meniscus tear in his knee (Nov. 2011) that required surgery?young attitude and might not be ready for a professional lifestyle.
IN OUR VIEW: A surprise early declaration, Philon is best known for his recruiting mess when he emotionally committed to Alabama on signing day, but because of a miscommunication, there wasn?t an offer sheet to sign because Nick Saban wanted him to grayshirt for the 2012 season. Several schools swooped in and Philon signed with Arkansas despite never visiting the campus, redshirting in 2012 as he was still rehabbing from a knee injury his senior season.
He started 18 games the past two seasons and flashed with his quick feet, active hands and low pad level to burst through gaps into the backfield. Philon is still filling out his frame and will likely need a redshirt year as a rookie in the NFL because of his youth, but there is a lot of potential here and should at worst be a sub-package penetrating three-technique in a 4-3 scheme.
--Dane Brugler
Player Overview
A three-star defensive end recruit out of high school, Philon originally committed to Auburn before switching to Alabama, however, he later learned that the Crimson Tide wanted him to grayshirt so he instead committed to Arkansas on signing day.
After redshirting in 2012, he started his redshirt freshman season as a reserve before starting the final five games and recording 46 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Philon started all 13 games in 2014 as a sophomore and finished with 46 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a team-high three fumble recoveries.
He decided to pass up his final two seasons at Arkansas to enter the 2015 NFL Draft.
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