| Akeem Ayers Scouting Report |
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Akeem Ayers
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Akeem Ayers - UCLA (HT: 6-2½ - WT: 254)
Combine 40: 4.88 - Pro Day 40: N/A - Position Rank: 4 of 32
Positives: Has an ideal frame for playing outside in a 3-4 scheme, has enough bulk to lockdown strongside linebacker duties and can fill a lot of space... Has the size to line up at several positions on the field, has lined up at defensive end and multiple linebacker positions in the past... Solid open-field tackler, plays under control and wraps up, does not like to dive at ball carriers... Does not often get fooled by misdirection plays, but could be a result of taking slightly too long to diagnose plays at the snap... Pretty good at scraping through traffic, although a little too tentative to attack blockers and take them out of the play... Is a very able run blitzer, blitzes shallow enough to not take himself out of plays, rarely misses tackles in the backfield... Has good technique when engaged with blockers, does not give up hand control and can often get a hand on the ball carrier, even when being blocked... Is an above-average defender in zone coverage, has the ability to make plays in coverage (six career interceptions).
Negatives: Takes a little too long to diagnose plays, which allows ball carriers to get extra yardage on his side of the field... Ran very poorly at the combine... Has the ability to get to the quarterback in some situations (14 career sacks), but needs to develop more pass-rushing moves to be a consistent pass rusher in the NFL... Is more quick than fast with very good agility, will not be able to run with most tight ends and running backs in coverage, needs to improve footwork and hip-turn technique in order to play man coverage... Not particularly intense or explosive, plays under control, but lacks elite aggressiveness at position... Production seems to decline in some big games (15 total tackles against Stanford, Oregon and USC combined this year)... Has the potential to be a very solid linebacker in the NFL, but lacks extreme upside in any one particular facet of the game.
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Defense |
| Season |
Team |
|
TOT |
SOL |
AST |
TFL |
SK |
FF |
INT |
BK |
TD |
|
|
183 |
128 |
55 |
29½ |
14 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
| 2008 |
UCLA |
|
40 |
28 |
12 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 2009 |
UCLA |
|
75 |
55 |
20 |
14½ |
6 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
| 2010 |
UCLA |
|
68 |
45 |
23 |
10 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
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