Stole one with Leota

[rodeo]

From what I've watched he has good instincts, but he's a terrible tackler. He wraps up and then begins a 10 minute struggle session where he tries to wrestle and drag the ball carrier down. Cam Newton would have ate his lunch money if he tried that.

If he can fix that and actually get some oomph to his tackles where he actually knocks them down, it'll be good for him.

[KatsAzz]

• F

Eku Leota Finishes 2023 Senior Bowl/NFL Draft Scouting Report, Prediction, analysis

The former Auburn standout could surprise some scouts

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There was a lot of optimism last season that the former Ashville, NC native would have a splashy year on the Plains after a strong 2021 season. The former third-team all-B1G player was making a name for himself at Auburn, harassing SEC quarterbacks to the tune of 23 tackles, 10.0 TFL, and 7 total sacks. If he could maintain consistency in 2023, there was reason to believe Leota would have a shot at being drafted somewhere in the late third round or early fourth come Draft weekend. 

Then he suffered a season-ending injury against LSU this year and his final campaign was shut down. While on the field however, he registered 2 sacks and 17 tackles, but a strong Reese's Senior Bowl was needed to put him back in "draftable" conversation. While he didn't register many tackles in the game on Saturday, his practices and interviews with NFL teams may have certainly saved his stock. 

He may not be a first-round pick, but whoever takes a shot on him will certainly get an easy project to develop into a quality NFL starter. Here's where things stand with the former Auburn, Northwestern, and Ashville High star.

EKU LEOTA SCOUTING REPORT

HEIGHT: 6-4 

WEIGHT: 255 

What he does well

Everyone who's watched Eku says the same thing about his size: He's NFL-ready with his current height and weight, so there won't be a need to bulk up the defender. Despite his size, Leota was quick to get off the snap and track the ball down, closing the gap between himself and the quarterback or running back. 

What needs work

While he's one of the fastest rushers on the field, he has trouble escaping big-bodied tackles once they get a firm grip on him. His athleticism could use some work, and teams will be wary of the arm injury he sustained in October. 

Current Projection

ROUND 6, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – Pete Carrol's squad showed they were playoff-ready last year, except the pass rush held them back from keeping opposing offenses off the field. They will look early in the draft to bulk up the defensive line, and Eku could be a late-round gem to add to the rotation so that the Hawks might go deeper in the playoffs next season. 

 

 

 

 

[MillionDollarCam]

25 minutes ago, Toomers said:

He played 12 games in 2021 when he had 7. He played 5 games in 2022 and had 2. 
That’s 9 in 17 games. Or 13 in 25 games if counting the 2020 8 games. 
 

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/andrew-leota-1.html

As for my point about defensive stats being unofficial and each individual viewing plays differently.

Leota was given credit for one sack in Auburn’s game against Georgia State on 09/25/2021.

Now watch the video below from 18 seconds to 35 seconds.

Maybe the quality control coaches (usually grad assistants that input statistics) thought the first play was a QB draw but it’s clearly a sack. That would give Leota two sacks on the day when he was credited for only one.

PFF’s numbers of 13 sacks in 18 games are much closer to the actual numbers than the numbers you posted.

Edited May 1, 2023 by MillionDollarCam

[LinvilleGorge]

32 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Yeah but the investment level by some of these guys is completely insane.

Every year it is the same thing, predictions that "XYZ" UDFA is going to be a starter, All Pro, HOFer, etc.

The odds are astronomical for most of those scenarios.

Yeah, I get that. I mean, just making the roster is a huge success for a UDFA. Anything more than that is some absolutely delicious icing on the cake.

[KillerKat]

we dont have many experienced 3-4 OLB. With Corbett most likely going on pup, I think we carry only 3 backup OL until he returns. That will open an extra spot for someone like Leota who will be on a trial run and then we decide what to do when Corbett returns. 

[Mike in Raleigh]

41 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Meh, part of the fun of camp and preseason is seeing which of the long shots will actually make it. Everybody likes a good underdog story.

Fun? This is deadly serious  business. Whoever thought a game was supposed to be fun?

/s

[Billy Love]

17 minutes ago, rodeo said:

From what I've watched he has good instincts, but he's a terrible tackler. He wraps up and then begins a 10 minute struggle session where he tries to wrestle and drag the ball carrier down. Cam Newton would have ate his lunch money if he tried that.

If he can fix that and actually get some oomph to his tackles where he actually knocks them down, it'll be good for him.

I see what you’re saying. But he certainly looks coachable to me, especially as a UDFA.

[MrBubba]

52 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Another offseason, another list of UDFA's that the Huddle gets way too excited over.

[Panthero]

With respect to kung-fu, this is the first udfa I've ever commented on. I've watched a lot of SEC football. This guy looked like a higher level SEC player before he got hurt. That's a guy that can at least stay on the team imo, if he's fully recovered. A pretty mild prediction in my mind. Those that disagree are entitled to their opinion. WDE. 

[kungfoodude]

18 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yeah, I get that. I mean, just making the roster is a huge success for a UDFA. Anything more than that is some absolutely delicious icing on the cake.

That's my personal threshold for success for a UDFA. If you make the roster for a single season, it was a great success.

[kungfoodude]

1 minute ago, Panthero said:

With respect to kung-fu, this is the first udfa I've ever commented on. I've watched a lot of SEC football. This guy looked like a higher level SEC player before he got hurt. That's a guy that can at least stay on the team imo, if he's fully recovered. A pretty mild prediction in my mind. Those that disagree are entitled to their opinion. WDE. 

It's a general statement, not really directed at you.

[Panthero]

I'm not getting ill about it. You are right, the odds are very long on any of these guys that aren't kickers or long snappers. 

[kungfoodude]

2 minutes ago, Panthero said:

I'm not getting ill about it. You are right, the odds are very long on any of these guys that aren't kickers or long snappers. 

At least he won't be saddled with the expectations that our third round pick will be. Woof.

[CPantherKing]

49 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Yeah but the investment level by some of these guys is completely insane.

Every year it is the same thing, predictions that "XYZ" UDFA is going to be a starter, All Pro, HOFer, etc.

The odds are astronomical for most of those scenarios.

Astronomical odds for the roster being 25% undrafted players? 1 of 4 players undrafted. Those odds are not astronomical. UDFAs replace failed draft picks more than most believe they do - every year.

Thielen would disagree with you.