Each year professional scouts from each of the 32 pro clubs pay special attention to this highly underappreciated defensive position. A defensive tackles' ability to restrict the inside run game, stack and control the point of attack, effectively react to the snap and get upfield, range outside the tackle box, push the pocket as an inside pass rusher, keep his feet in traffic and finish are critical to play winning football.
Charles Alexander of LSU has backed up some very talented players over his career but could well shine in his final season as a collegiate player. Louis Ellis of Shaw University via Hinds JC, led the entire country in tackles for loses (22.5) in 2007, but the real buzz at the tiny Raleigh campus is that Callahan Bright, a Florida State signee and widely considered the top prep tackle in the country in 2004 is finally eligible for participation. An absolute special talent, who combines strength, quickness, balance and is one nasty individual! He is going to need some work with his hand use, but this Philadelphian can flat out play.
Greg Brown of Indiana, Jeremy Navarre of Maryland and Notre Dame transfer and current Colorado U inside run stuffer Brandon Nicolas, all have a chance to factor. Nicolas, is a real try hard guy, but not near as big as I expected. Florida State transfer Aaron Jones, one of the top prep recruits in the nation, entering his second season at Eastern Kentucky has been a major disappointment an the collegiate level. He lacks play strength, plays high and doesn’t get off blocks effectively. Based on my exposure, I would have to say he has a very long way to come before I would consider him a true player.
| Grade |
Last |
First |
School |
2007 Stats
Solo - Assist - Total - Sack - TFL |
| D |
Doolittle |
Tez |
Auburn U |
No 2007 stats |
| D |
Faletoese |
John |
California Davis |
12-13-25-3-8.5 |
| D |
Nicolas |
Brandon |
Colorado U |
29-17-46-3-11 |
| D |
Jones |
Aaron |
Eastern Kentucky U |
1-3-4-0.5-0.5 |
| D |
Jackson |
Jervonte |
Florida Atlantic |
13-15-28-1.5-2 |
| D |
Anyaibe |
Elris |
Georgia Tech |
7-3-10-1-3.5 |
| D |
Irvin |
Corvey |
Georgia U |
10-4-14-0.5-2.5 |
| D |
Pree |
Cody |
Houston U |
16-16-32-0-4 |
| D |
Brown |
Greg |
Indiana U |
29-21-50-0-3.5 |
| D |
Moran |
Alphonso |
Kansas St |
No 2007 stats |
| D |
Pryor |
Myron |
Kentucky U |
14-13-27-0-.05 |
| D |
Grady |
Adrian |
Louisville U |
10-4-14-0-2.5 |
| D |
Alexander |
Charles |
LSU |
3-3-6-0-0 |
| D |
Navarre |
Jeremy |
Maryland U |
15-26-41-4.5-5 |
| D |
Dixon |
Antonio |
Miami U |
6-6-12-1.5-3 |
| D |
Hendricks |
Dwayne |
Miami U |
7-2-9-1-2 |
| D |
Holmes |
Antoine |
No Carolina St |
13-7-20-3-5.5 |
| D |
Marsh |
Dennis |
Norfolk St |
13-34-47-2.5-5 |
| D |
Gill |
Johnny |
Northwestern U |
20-30-50-4-8.5 |
| D |
Kuntz |
Patrick |
Notre Dame |
20-23-43-0-2.5 |
| D |
Abdallah |
Nader |
Ohio St |
8-11-19-1-3 |
| D |
Duncan |
Rashaad |
Pittsburgh U |
23-17-40-2-7 |
| D |
Ellis |
Louis |
Shaw U |
44-21-65-8-22.5 |
| D |
Hall |
Marque |
So Carolina U |
18-4-22-1-2 |
| D |
Knighton |
Terrance |
Temple U |
28-28-56-2-8.5 |
| D |
Fisher |
Walter |
Tennessee U |
11-16-27-0-1 |
| D |
Vess |
James |
Texas Christian U |
No 2007 play. Suspended |
| D |
Gales |
Dion |
Troy U |
12-17-29-2.5-7 |
| D |
Harwell |
Brigham |
UCLA |
2-2-4-0-0 |
| D |
Hales |
Jacob |
UNLV |
20-16-36-3-5 |
| D |
Ahmu |
Fevaea'i |
Washington St |
7-15-22-1-2.5 |
| D |
Vacadipane |
Nick |
Western Michigan U |
14-17-31-1.5-2 |
| D |
Chapman |
Jason |
Wisconsin U |
10-16-26-2-2.5 |
| D |
Savage |
Mychal |
Youngstown St |
26-17-43-4.5-5 |