shoop
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2023 Cowboys UDFA Thread
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shoop
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Put 'em here
TJ Bass OL Oregon
Hunter Luepke FB NDSU
Isaiah Land EDGE Florida A&M
David Durden WR West Florida
Jalen Moreno-Cropper WR Fresno State
Princeton Fant TE Tennessee
Earl Bostick JR OT Kansas
Jose Barbon WR Temple
TJ Bass OL Oregon
Hunter Luepke FB NDSU
Isaiah Land EDGE Florida A&M
David Durden WR West Florida
Jalen Moreno-Cropper WR Fresno State
Princeton Fant TE Tennessee
Earl Bostick JR OT Kansas
Jose Barbon WR Temple
Last edited:
p1_
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if hes so good, why not drafted?
shoop
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14. T.J. BASS | Oregon 6043 | 317 lbs. | 5SR Deming, Wash. (Mount Baker) 3/31/1999 (age 24.08) #56 BACKGROUND: Travis “T.J.” Bass, who is one of three children, was raised north of Seattle by his mother (Angie) and father (Travis). He attended Mount Baker Senior High School and was a three-year letterman, playing on both sides of the ball as a defensive end and tight end. As a junior, Bass posted 82 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks, earning first team All-State and All-Conference honors. He also caught 13 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns and was a productive blocking tight end. As a senior, Bass finished his senior season with 23.5 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks and three forced fumbles and was named the conference’s co-MVP in 2017. He also lettered in track and set personal bests in the shot put (50-1.5) and discus (128-10).
A no-star recruit, Bass originally enrolled at Idaho and grayshirted in 2017 because of academics. He then transferred to Butte College in northern California and started for two seasons at left tackle. Bass earned All-League honors as a freshman and was a juco All-American as a sophomore in 2019. He also participated in the shot put at Butte. A three-star juco recruit, he was the No. 1 guard and No. 21 overall juco recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. Bass collected offers from several Power 5 programs, including Arizona State, Auburn, Kansas State, TCU, UCLA, Utah, Washington State and West Virginia. He committed to the Ducks and enrolled in January 2020. Bass graduated with his degree in general social science (June 2022). He accepted his invitation to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Broad-chested and plays wide … his feet stay on the move as a base blocker … sets low for a well-leveraged response versus power … knocks rushers offschedule with strong, well-timed hands … flashes the grip strength to lock and load and ride the bull … stays under control into initial contact in the run game, creating movement from his hips and lower body … calms his feet to be effective on downfield and second-level blocks … excellent awareness on combos … fierce finisher and doesn’t play complacent … started 34 straight games the last three seasons (13 at left guard followed by 21 at left tackle).
WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal length and long-armed rushers can access his frame … inconsistent pass-set depth with his initial steps and late to react versus explosiveness in his gaps … lower-body stiffness hurts his lateral range and mirror … his pad level tends to rise at contact, allowing his base to narrow … appears comfortable catching and absorbing rushers, but he won’t get away with that in the NFL … has a slight hitch in his giddy-up on pulling plays … can get the job done at the second level but is often tardy reaching his target … three false start penalties on 2022 tapes studied … will be 24 on draft weekend.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Oregon, Bass lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham’s scheme. After cutting his teeth at the juco level, he started every game since arriving in Eugene and earned All-Pac-12 honors all three seasons. Bass struggled at times against aggressive edge rushers (see: 2022 Washington or 2022 Georgia tapes), but his lack of ideal length and responsive quicks should be easier to mask inside at guard. He has the body thickness and force behind his well-placed punch that’s desired for interior work. Overall, Bass doesn’t have high-level reactive athleticism to easily counter and keep blocks centered, but he gives as good as he gets because of his heavy hands and desire to finish. He projects as a rotational guard in a gap scheme.
GRADE: 5th-6th Round
A no-star recruit, Bass originally enrolled at Idaho and grayshirted in 2017 because of academics. He then transferred to Butte College in northern California and started for two seasons at left tackle. Bass earned All-League honors as a freshman and was a juco All-American as a sophomore in 2019. He also participated in the shot put at Butte. A three-star juco recruit, he was the No. 1 guard and No. 21 overall juco recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. Bass collected offers from several Power 5 programs, including Arizona State, Auburn, Kansas State, TCU, UCLA, Utah, Washington State and West Virginia. He committed to the Ducks and enrolled in January 2020. Bass graduated with his degree in general social science (June 2022). He accepted his invitation to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Broad-chested and plays wide … his feet stay on the move as a base blocker … sets low for a well-leveraged response versus power … knocks rushers offschedule with strong, well-timed hands … flashes the grip strength to lock and load and ride the bull … stays under control into initial contact in the run game, creating movement from his hips and lower body … calms his feet to be effective on downfield and second-level blocks … excellent awareness on combos … fierce finisher and doesn’t play complacent … started 34 straight games the last three seasons (13 at left guard followed by 21 at left tackle).
WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal length and long-armed rushers can access his frame … inconsistent pass-set depth with his initial steps and late to react versus explosiveness in his gaps … lower-body stiffness hurts his lateral range and mirror … his pad level tends to rise at contact, allowing his base to narrow … appears comfortable catching and absorbing rushers, but he won’t get away with that in the NFL … has a slight hitch in his giddy-up on pulling plays … can get the job done at the second level but is often tardy reaching his target … three false start penalties on 2022 tapes studied … will be 24 on draft weekend.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Oregon, Bass lined up at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham’s scheme. After cutting his teeth at the juco level, he started every game since arriving in Eugene and earned All-Pac-12 honors all three seasons. Bass struggled at times against aggressive edge rushers (see: 2022 Washington or 2022 Georgia tapes), but his lack of ideal length and responsive quicks should be easier to mask inside at guard. He has the body thickness and force behind his well-placed punch that’s desired for interior work. Overall, Bass doesn’t have high-level reactive athleticism to easily counter and keep blocks centered, but he gives as good as he gets because of his heavy hands and desire to finish. He projects as a rotational guard in a gap scheme.
GRADE: 5th-6th Round
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shoop
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33. DAVID DURDEN | West Florida 6014 | 204 lbs. | 6SR Midville, Ga. (Emanuel County) 12/26/1998 (age 24.34) #17 BACKGROUND: John David Durden II, who is one of four children, was a multi-sport athlete growing up in east Georgia. His mother (Jeana) is a teacher and father (John), who played baseball at Air Force, is a minister. Durden attended Emanuel County Institute and kicked extra points as a freshman. A wide receiver on offense and safety on defense, he posted 13 receptions for 327 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore, adding 42 tackles and four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). As a senior, Durden finished with 45 receptions for 782 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn All-Region honors. He also accounted for three rushing scores and two special teams touchdowns (one punt return, one kick return). He also lettered in basketball and was a standout baseball player. He led Emanuel County to a state championship in 2015 and was named the 2017 Region Player of the Year with eight home runs. A two-star recruit, Durden was the No. 301 wide receiver in the 2017 recruiting class and the No. 235 recruit in Georgia. Playing at a small-town high school program, he went mostly overlooked as a recruit until FCS-level Mercer scouted him and reached out with a scholarship offer. Durden committed to play football but backtracked after the Boston Red Sox selected him in the 20th round (No. 611 overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft. He spent the 2017 season at the rookie ball level and hit .220 (20-for-91) with one double and nine RBI in 30 games. With his heart still in football, Durden left the Red Sox and joined Mercer for the 2018 season. After two seasons at Mercer, he transferred to Division II West Florida and enrolled in the summer of 2020. Durden received an invitation to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl but was unable to participate due to a left wrist injury. YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD DROP NOTES 2017: Part of the Boston Red Sox organization 2018: (11/10) 18 407 22.6 5 0 Mercer; Honorable Mention Freshman All-American; 11-yard TD pass; 95-yard KR TD 2019: (9/8) 45 647 14.4 4 1 Mercer; First Team All-SoCon (Returner); Second Team All-SoCon (WR); FG block 2020: Season canceled due to COVID pandemic West Florida; Enrolled at West Florida in summer 2020 2021: (9/9) 34 787 23.1 10 1 West Florida; Honorable Mention All-American; First Team All-GSC; Led team in receiving; 6-yard rush TD 2022: (13/13) 54 1,128 20.9 13 2 West Florida; First Team All-American; First Team All-GSC; Led team in receiving; 64-yard PR TD
Total: (42/40) 151 2,969 19.7 32 4 HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE N/A (not invited) PRO DAY 6014 204 30 3/8 9 1/2 74 1/2 4.45 2.44 1.55 37 10’7” 4.21 7.00 - (no bench press – left wrist)
STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with functional strength to beat the jam … explosive timed speed and play speed … displays the acceleration to consistently gain vertical separation against Division II corners … graceful in mid-air with natural ball-tracking skills … takes sharp angles out of his breaks … mixes his gears as a route runner and not shy attacking the middle of the field … can turn short gains into big plays, displaying outstanding vision, competitive toughness and contact balance with the ball in his hands … productive on special teams as a returner and gunner (10 special teams tackles) … averaged 17.7 yards per punt return in 2022, including a 64-yard touchdown (14/248/1) … averaged 24.6 yards per kick return (43/1,058/1) … receiving production increased each season in college … NFL scouts say his pro day workout (in 33-degree weather) was “outstanding.”
WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t have a body of work against top-tier competition … routes can be overly deliberate at times, drawing sticky coverage … shorter arms and might struggle to fight through the physical coverage of longer corners … inconsistent high-pointer and too content using his body/wrists to finish … contested windows disrupt his focus … guilty of bracing himself for contact at the catch point, making grabs tougher than they need to be … patient with the ball in his hands to follow his blocks but will need to make quicker decisions vs. NFL pursuit … will turn 25 during his NFL rookie season … suffered a left wrist injury that required postseason surgery (December 2022).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at West Florida, Durden was an outside receiver in the Argos’ balanced offense. After a short-lived pro baseball career, he returned to the football field was immediately productive, initially at Mercer and then West Florida where his 23 receiving touchdowns matched the program record. An impressive athlete for his size, Durden has a smooth accelerator before and after the catch and displays natural pass-catching skills thanks to his steady hand-eye coordination (averaged 19.7 yards per catch in his career). He shifts his gears well as a route runner but could use more polish to consistently create separation out of his stem turns. Overall, Durden will need to prove he can match up vs. NFL speed and strength, but he has the athletic profile and instincts (as a receiver and ball carrier) to earn an NFL roster spot in camp. His value on special teams (as a return man and gunner) could give the edge.
Total: (42/40) 151 2,969 19.7 32 4 HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE N/A (not invited) PRO DAY 6014 204 30 3/8 9 1/2 74 1/2 4.45 2.44 1.55 37 10’7” 4.21 7.00 - (no bench press – left wrist)
STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with functional strength to beat the jam … explosive timed speed and play speed … displays the acceleration to consistently gain vertical separation against Division II corners … graceful in mid-air with natural ball-tracking skills … takes sharp angles out of his breaks … mixes his gears as a route runner and not shy attacking the middle of the field … can turn short gains into big plays, displaying outstanding vision, competitive toughness and contact balance with the ball in his hands … productive on special teams as a returner and gunner (10 special teams tackles) … averaged 17.7 yards per punt return in 2022, including a 64-yard touchdown (14/248/1) … averaged 24.6 yards per kick return (43/1,058/1) … receiving production increased each season in college … NFL scouts say his pro day workout (in 33-degree weather) was “outstanding.”
WEAKNESSES: Doesn’t have a body of work against top-tier competition … routes can be overly deliberate at times, drawing sticky coverage … shorter arms and might struggle to fight through the physical coverage of longer corners … inconsistent high-pointer and too content using his body/wrists to finish … contested windows disrupt his focus … guilty of bracing himself for contact at the catch point, making grabs tougher than they need to be … patient with the ball in his hands to follow his blocks but will need to make quicker decisions vs. NFL pursuit … will turn 25 during his NFL rookie season … suffered a left wrist injury that required postseason surgery (December 2022).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at West Florida, Durden was an outside receiver in the Argos’ balanced offense. After a short-lived pro baseball career, he returned to the football field was immediately productive, initially at Mercer and then West Florida where his 23 receiving touchdowns matched the program record. An impressive athlete for his size, Durden has a smooth accelerator before and after the catch and displays natural pass-catching skills thanks to his steady hand-eye coordination (averaged 19.7 yards per catch in his career). He shifts his gears well as a route runner but could use more polish to consistently create separation out of his stem turns. Overall, Durden will need to prove he can match up vs. NFL speed and strength, but he has the athletic profile and instincts (as a receiver and ball carrier) to earn an NFL roster spot in camp. His value on special teams (as a return man and gunner) could give the edge.
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BACKGROUND: Hunter Luepke (LIP-kee), who is the oldest of three children, grew up in Spencer and attended Spencer/Columbus Catholic School, where he was a four-sport standout. He was a four-year starter on the football team, starring at running back, defensive end, linebacker and kick returner. As a sophomore, Luepke was named the conference offensive player of the year with 1,249 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, leading Spencer to the Division-5 state championship game (lost to Amherst). He was named a captain as a junior and rushed for 1,057 yards and 20 total touchdowns. As a senior captain, Luepke rushed for 1,303 yards and 33 total touchdowns, again earning conference offensive player of the year honors. He finished his prep career with 5,770 all-purpose yards (4,452 rushing) and 95 total touchdowns (82 rushing scores). On defense, Luepke totaled 171 tackles and 10.0 sacks in his career, earning first team All-Region as a junior linebacker. He was a four-time conference champion wrestler and qualified for states three times, becoming the school’s first state champion wrestler in 2017 at 195 pounds (also captured the 2018 title at 220 pounds, finishing his senior year with a 49-0 record).
He was a three-time all-conference center fielder on the baseball team and also ran track, winning a conference championship in the 100 meters (11.62). A two-star recruit, Luepke was the No. 8 fullback in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 26 recruit in Wisconsin. He received interest from Wisconsin and several other Division I programs, but he was ready to put the recruiting process behind him and committed to FCS-level North Dakota State prior to his senior year. Luepke married his high school sweetheart (Sadie) in May 2022 (they met in second grade). He accepted his invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl but was unable to participate because of his shoulder injury.
STRENGTHS: Thick, stocky athlete, but not stiff … impressive body control and fluidity as a pass catcher to reach back and make smooth adjustments … tracks the ball well to slow his route and frame the football … coordinated footwork in between the tackles … gets rolling with his pads forward and a perpetual head of steam … only one fumble the past three seasons … high-character player who earned multiple Academic All-District and Honor Roll honors while at North Dakota State (3.42 GPA while majoring in finance) … was a regular on kickoff return coverage with the skill set to expand his special teams résumé at the next level … offers alignment versatility in the backfield/wing or in the slot/outside.
WEAKNESSES: Lackluster lateral agility and burst … resets his eyes quickly when the designed run lane is closed, but his feet aren’t as quick to respond, leading to choppy steps … more of a banger than make-you-miss runner in the hole … physical into contact, but not a true hammer … guilty of concentration drops downfield (three in 2022) … doesn’t back down from his blocking responsibilities but needs to improve his hand use for better sustain … battled several injuries, including a season-ending left shoulder injury (November 2022), which required surgery (also missed the Senior Bowl and combine); missed two games as a junior because of a hamstring injury (October 2021); missed one game as a redshirt freshman with an ankle injury (December 2019). CONTENTS [38]
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Luepke was part of a running back committee in offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl’s run-heavy, gap power scheme. His impressive career yards per carry (6.1) and yards per reception (17.6) numbers reflect his impact at the FCS level (accounted for 180 total yards against Arizona in 2022, the only FBS defense he faced in college). An all-conference performer in four sports in high school (baseball, football, track and wrestling), Luepke is one of the best pass-catching fullback prospects in recent memory thanks to his body control as a route runner, ball tracker and finisher. His running and blocking won’t be his calling cards in the NFL, but he is serviceable in both areas. Overall, Luepke was a college running back who projects best as a hybrid fullback with Hback pass-catching traits. He needs to find an NFL offense willing to utilize his skill set but can help his chances by starring on special teams coverages.
GRADE: 6th-7th Round
He was a three-time all-conference center fielder on the baseball team and also ran track, winning a conference championship in the 100 meters (11.62). A two-star recruit, Luepke was the No. 8 fullback in the 2018 recruiting class and the No. 26 recruit in Wisconsin. He received interest from Wisconsin and several other Division I programs, but he was ready to put the recruiting process behind him and committed to FCS-level North Dakota State prior to his senior year. Luepke married his high school sweetheart (Sadie) in May 2022 (they met in second grade). He accepted his invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl but was unable to participate because of his shoulder injury.
STRENGTHS: Thick, stocky athlete, but not stiff … impressive body control and fluidity as a pass catcher to reach back and make smooth adjustments … tracks the ball well to slow his route and frame the football … coordinated footwork in between the tackles … gets rolling with his pads forward and a perpetual head of steam … only one fumble the past three seasons … high-character player who earned multiple Academic All-District and Honor Roll honors while at North Dakota State (3.42 GPA while majoring in finance) … was a regular on kickoff return coverage with the skill set to expand his special teams résumé at the next level … offers alignment versatility in the backfield/wing or in the slot/outside.
WEAKNESSES: Lackluster lateral agility and burst … resets his eyes quickly when the designed run lane is closed, but his feet aren’t as quick to respond, leading to choppy steps … more of a banger than make-you-miss runner in the hole … physical into contact, but not a true hammer … guilty of concentration drops downfield (three in 2022) … doesn’t back down from his blocking responsibilities but needs to improve his hand use for better sustain … battled several injuries, including a season-ending left shoulder injury (November 2022), which required surgery (also missed the Senior Bowl and combine); missed two games as a junior because of a hamstring injury (October 2021); missed one game as a redshirt freshman with an ankle injury (December 2019). CONTENTS [38]
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at North Dakota State, Luepke was part of a running back committee in offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl’s run-heavy, gap power scheme. His impressive career yards per carry (6.1) and yards per reception (17.6) numbers reflect his impact at the FCS level (accounted for 180 total yards against Arizona in 2022, the only FBS defense he faced in college). An all-conference performer in four sports in high school (baseball, football, track and wrestling), Luepke is one of the best pass-catching fullback prospects in recent memory thanks to his body control as a route runner, ball tracker and finisher. His running and blocking won’t be his calling cards in the NFL, but he is serviceable in both areas. Overall, Luepke was a college running back who projects best as a hybrid fullback with Hback pass-catching traits. He needs to find an NFL offense willing to utilize his skill set but can help his chances by starring on special teams coverages.
GRADE: 6th-7th Round
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18. ISAIAH LAND | Florida A&M 6034 | 236 lbs. | 5SR Buffalo, N.Y. (Grayson) 2/5/2000 (age 23.23) #31 BACKGROUND: Isaiah Land was born and raised in Buffalo before moving to the Atlanta area when he was young. He started playing football at the Pop Warner and youth levels, including the Kenyatta Watson Sr.-coached Gwinnett Chargers when he was 10 years old. However, Land always gravitated towards basketball, which was his main focus in middle school. He didn’t play sports during his freshman and sophomore years at Grayson High School. But in the spring of 2016, the football coaches invited him to try out, and Land decided to return to football, joining the team prior to his junior year. Land switched from wide receiver to defensive end and initially played on JV before moving up to varsity where he was teammates with several future FBS players such as linebacker Owen Pappoe. As a senior, he helped lead Grayson to a 10-2 record and the second-round of the 2017 7A state playoffs, finishing with 28 tackles and 8.0 sacks.
A no-star recruit out and only 170 pounds with minimal tape, Land went overlooked by FBS teams, and only a few FCS programs expressed interest. His first offer came from Chattanooga in November of his senior season followed by Florida A&M just days before signing day. Land committed to Florida A&M as part of the 2018 recruiting class. After his breakout junior season in 2021, he was concerned about getting looks from NFL teams after his former teammate (Markquese Bell) went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft (later made the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster). Land entered the transfer portal in May 2022 and received offers from Georgia, Texas and several other national programs, but he elected to stay loyal to Florida A&M for his final season. Land was ruled ineligible for the 2022 season opener (at North Carolina) after the academics and compliance staff misinformed him of the necessary credits for the semester. He was ruled eligible by the NCAA the following week. Land accepted his invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl, becoming the first Florida A&M player invited to Mobile since 1993.
STRENGTHS: Long, moldable frame with the growth potential to continue adding bulk (lacked the resources to develop his body) … his first step and closing burst are both above average … moves with natural bend and flexible joints to work around blockers … agile in his redirect to read-and-react with ball carriers … has become more and more comfortable firing his hands into engagement … utilizes his length to lock out and leverage his body vs. heavier blockers … shows savvy as a pass rusher with a variety of moves (rip, chop, ghost) in his bag … highly productive, especially in the backfield … set the school record for single-game sacks (five), and his 19.0 sacks in 2021 were one behind the school record.
WEAKNESSES: Will need time to continue filling out and adapting to his new body … needs to strengthen his anchor and lower body … can be uprooted from his spot in the run game … it will be tougher for him to fight through NFL offensive linemen … his hand timing and placement need continued refinement because he struggles to respond once blockers latch on … needs to play more controlled in pursuit and stay square to ball carriers … falls off too many targets because of his excitable motor … needs to continue and flush out his counter measures once his first rush move is stalled … suffered a knee sprain and missed two games as a senior (October 2022) … almost all of his production came vs. FCS competition.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Florida A&M, Land played the “FANG” edge rusher position in defensive coordinator Ryan Smith’s scheme, lining up primarily in a three-point stance. After the 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID, he put his name on the NFL radar in 2021 as the FCS leader in both sacks and tackles for loss (37 of his 66 tackles the past two seasons came in the backfield). With such meager football experience, Land is understandably raw in areas, but he shows natural pass rush instincts thanks to his play quickness and athletic movements. Unable to play against North Carolina in the 2022 season opener (ineligible due to issues within the program’s compliance department), he never faced Power 5 competition in college and also faces a position switch for some schemes (Senior Bowl practices were the first time he played off-ball linebacker). Overall, Land needs to continue strengthening his body to become stouter for NFL front-seven play, but he has the athletic traits to hold up in space and the rush skills to chase the quarterback on sub-downs. He is a high-end developmental prospect with “buy low” stock that has boom potential for a team willing to invest.
GRADE: 6th Round
A no-star recruit out and only 170 pounds with minimal tape, Land went overlooked by FBS teams, and only a few FCS programs expressed interest. His first offer came from Chattanooga in November of his senior season followed by Florida A&M just days before signing day. Land committed to Florida A&M as part of the 2018 recruiting class. After his breakout junior season in 2021, he was concerned about getting looks from NFL teams after his former teammate (Markquese Bell) went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft (later made the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster). Land entered the transfer portal in May 2022 and received offers from Georgia, Texas and several other national programs, but he elected to stay loyal to Florida A&M for his final season. Land was ruled ineligible for the 2022 season opener (at North Carolina) after the academics and compliance staff misinformed him of the necessary credits for the semester. He was ruled eligible by the NCAA the following week. Land accepted his invitation to the 2023 Senior Bowl, becoming the first Florida A&M player invited to Mobile since 1993.
STRENGTHS: Long, moldable frame with the growth potential to continue adding bulk (lacked the resources to develop his body) … his first step and closing burst are both above average … moves with natural bend and flexible joints to work around blockers … agile in his redirect to read-and-react with ball carriers … has become more and more comfortable firing his hands into engagement … utilizes his length to lock out and leverage his body vs. heavier blockers … shows savvy as a pass rusher with a variety of moves (rip, chop, ghost) in his bag … highly productive, especially in the backfield … set the school record for single-game sacks (five), and his 19.0 sacks in 2021 were one behind the school record.
WEAKNESSES: Will need time to continue filling out and adapting to his new body … needs to strengthen his anchor and lower body … can be uprooted from his spot in the run game … it will be tougher for him to fight through NFL offensive linemen … his hand timing and placement need continued refinement because he struggles to respond once blockers latch on … needs to play more controlled in pursuit and stay square to ball carriers … falls off too many targets because of his excitable motor … needs to continue and flush out his counter measures once his first rush move is stalled … suffered a knee sprain and missed two games as a senior (October 2022) … almost all of his production came vs. FCS competition.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Florida A&M, Land played the “FANG” edge rusher position in defensive coordinator Ryan Smith’s scheme, lining up primarily in a three-point stance. After the 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID, he put his name on the NFL radar in 2021 as the FCS leader in both sacks and tackles for loss (37 of his 66 tackles the past two seasons came in the backfield). With such meager football experience, Land is understandably raw in areas, but he shows natural pass rush instincts thanks to his play quickness and athletic movements. Unable to play against North Carolina in the 2022 season opener (ineligible due to issues within the program’s compliance department), he never faced Power 5 competition in college and also faces a position switch for some schemes (Senior Bowl practices were the first time he played off-ball linebacker). Overall, Land needs to continue strengthening his body to become stouter for NFL front-seven play, but he has the athletic traits to hold up in space and the rush skills to chase the quarterback on sub-downs. He is a high-end developmental prospect with “buy low” stock that has boom potential for a team willing to invest.
GRADE: 6th Round
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