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Emek Egbule, ILB, Houston, 6-2, 245
Emek Ugbule (uh-mek-EE egg-boo-lay) grew into a force on defense for the Cougars. The All-District tight end from Galena Park, Texas, played in all 14 games on special teams as a true freshman (11 tackles, one for loss). He stepped in to start 5 of 13 games as a sophomore (22 tackles) and then had the job full-time in 2017, making 62 tackles, 6.5 for loss, two sacks, and six pass breakups. Egbule started all 13 games his senior campaign, filling the stat sheet with 69 tackles, 5.5 for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Overview
Explosive outside linebacker prospect with exciting upside who is loose and twitchy but lacking in skill and consistent aggression. Egbule's juice up the rush arc should excite GMs and defensive coordinators even if the rush skill hasn't been honed. His fluidity to drop in coverage and harass passing lanes is equally enticing. He's a Day 3 developmental prospect offering scheme diverse traits and talents, but he has to prove he can adapt to the physical nature of the sport as a tackler and at the point of attack.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Emek Ugbule (uh-mek-EE egg-boo-lay) grew into a force on defense for the Cougars. The All-District tight end from Galena Park, Texas, played in all 14 games on special teams as a true freshman (11 tackles, one for loss). He stepped in to start 5 of 13 games as a sophomore (22 tackles) and then had the job full-time in 2017, making 62 tackles, 6.5 for loss, two sacks, and six pass breakups. Egbule started all 13 games his senior campaign, filling the stat sheet with 69 tackles, 5.5 for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Overview
Explosive outside linebacker prospect with exciting upside who is loose and twitchy but lacking in skill and consistent aggression. Egbule's juice up the rush arc should excite GMs and defensive coordinators even if the rush skill hasn't been honed. His fluidity to drop in coverage and harass passing lanes is equally enticing. He's a Day 3 developmental prospect offering scheme diverse traits and talents, but he has to prove he can adapt to the physical nature of the sport as a tackler and at the point of attack.
Strengths
- Long arms on well-proportioned, athletic frame
- Has hybrid drop-backer/rush-backer athleticism and traits
- Reactive twitch is top-notch
- Threatens the edge with big get-off burst to rush passer
- Loose hips with explosive inside charge on tackle-end twists
- Can go punch to sudden shed instantly
- Legitimate coverage talent
- Drops fluidly into space in zone
- Length and short-area quickness constrict passing lanes
- Finished 2018 with seven passes defensed
Weaknesses
- Gifted athlete but still very raw
- Pass rush needs go-to moves and counters
- Hasn't learn to grease the edge with hand work
- Will need to play much tougher as a pro
- Instincts for the game are basic
- Takes poor angles to the football in pursuit
- Tackles back-side of the hip causing a plethora of misses
- Will lose contain despite having position
- Takes additional time to diagnose
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