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The 2016 NFL Draft class is loaded with plenty of defensive talent. The linebacker position is a clear demonstration of that with five players projected to get selected in the first round. This group is led by former UCLA standout Myles Jack, who immediately stepped in and made a tremendous impact on both sides of the ball in his three collegiate seasons.
LB/RB Myles Jack Height: 6’1” Weight: 245 lbs.
Jack burst onto the scene as a true freshman, playing in all 13 games lining up on both sides of the ball with 12 starts at linebacker and one at running back. He made a huge impact at running back by scoring seven rushing touchdowns, which is second-most by a UCLA freshman trailing only Deshaun Foster, who had 10 in 1998. Jack’s play at linebacker was even better. He finished the season with 75 tackles, which is the second-highest amount by a UCLA true freshman behind just Kenny Easley’s 93 in 1977.
Jack’s one breakout offensive performance in his freshman season came against Arizona. He rushed for 120 yards on six carries, including a 66-yard touchdown. Jack also recorded a school-record four rushing touchdowns against Washington. His overall performance helped him earn the PAC-12 honor of both the Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year. Jack continued to be a force on both sides of the ball in his sophomore season recording 88 tackles, eight for loss, and one interception while rushing for three touchdowns.
However, his junior season was abruptly ended after just three games when he tore the meniscus in his right knee while going through a non-contact drill in practice. Prior to the injury, he had recorded 15 tackles and an interception.
| Year |
School |
Conf |
Class |
Pos |
G |
Solo |
Ast |
Tot |
Loss |
Sk |
Int |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
PD |
FR |
Yds |
TD |
FF |
| *2013 |
UCLA |
Pac-12 |
FR |
LB |
13 |
51 |
25 |
76 |
7.0 |
1.0 |
2 |
67 |
33.5 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
| *2014 |
UCLA |
Pac-12 |
SO |
LB |
13 |
57 |
30 |
87 |
8.0 |
0.0 |
1 |
41 |
41.0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
| 2015 |
UCLA |
Pac-12 |
JR |
LB |
3 |
9 |
6 |
15 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
1 |
3 |
3.0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
| Career |
UCLA |
|
|
|
|
117 |
61 |
178 |
15.0 |
1.0 |
4 |
111 |
27.8 |
0 |
19 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
| Year |
School |
Conf |
Class |
Pos |
G |
Att |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Rec |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Plays |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
| *2013 |
UCLA |
Pac-12 |
FR |
LB |
13 |
38 |
267 |
7.0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
38 |
267 |
7.0 |
7 |
| *2014 |
UCLA |
Pac-12 |
SO |
LB |
13 |
28 |
113 |
4.0 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
8.0 |
0 |
29 |
121 |
4.2 |
3 |
| 2015 |
UCLA |
Pac-12 |
JR |
LB |
3 |
2 |
7 |
3.5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
2 |
7 |
3.5 |
1 |
| Career |
UCLA |
|
|
|
|
68 |
387 |
5.7 |
11 |
1 |
8 |
8.0 |
0 |
69 |
395 |
5.7 |
11 |
Awards and Honor
He was selected twice to the Second-Team All-Pac-12 (2013,2014), Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2013), Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Yer (2013), and First-Team Freshman All-America by the Sporting News.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Strengths: Although he lacks the ideal body frame for the position, Jack is an extremely athletic player with rare talent that allowed him to play on both sides of the ball throughout his collegiate career. He has above-average instincts with relentless pursuit of the ball that includes the ability to effectively weaving through traffic. He’s a versatile player, who has the ability to be an edge rusher in several defensive packages while also being more than able of playing as a 4-3 linebacker. What also separate Jack from most players at his position is his unique ability to cover both tight ends, running backs, and even some receivers in some instances due to his speed, strength, and defensive ball skills.
Weaknesses: The most obvious knock against him has been his size and length that has been deemed by many as too small for the position. He’s not an explosive hitter. There are also potential question marks surrounding his health due to the torn anterior meniscus that he suffered last September that ended his junior season.
Projections: Top 10 in the first round
NFL team fit: Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts
Source: NFL.com, ESPN.com
Bob Garcia IV is a sports journalist from Southern California. He is also the Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for Sportsoutwest.com and About.com. He was a reporter for the award-winning newspaper, The Daily Sundial, at California State University, Northridge. You can follow him on Twitter, @Bgarcia90.
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The 2016 NFL Draft class is loaded with plenty of defensive talent. The linebacker position is a clear demonstration of that with five players projected to get selected in the first round. This group is led by former UCLA standout Myles Jack, who immediately stepped in and made a tremendous impact on both sides of the ball in his three collegiate seasons.
LB/RB Myles Jack Height: 6’1” Weight: 245 lbs.
Jack burst onto the scene as a true freshman, playing in all 13 games lining up on both sides of the ball with 12 starts at linebacker and one at running back. He made a huge impact at running back by scoring seven rushing touchdowns, which is second-most by a UCLA freshman trailing only Deshaun Foster, who had 10 in 1998. Jack’s play at linebacker was even better. He finished the season with 75 tackles, which is the second-highest amount by a UCLA true freshman behind just Kenny Easley’s 93 in 1977.
Jack’s one breakout offensive performance in his freshman season came against Arizona. He rushed for 120 yards on six carries, including a 66-yard touchdown. Jack also recorded a school-record four rushing touchdowns against Washington. His overall performance helped him earn the PAC-12 honor of both the Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year. Jack continued to be a force on both sides of the ball in his sophomore season recording 88 tackles, eight for loss, and one interception while rushing for three touchdowns.
However, his junior season was abruptly ended after just three games when he tore the meniscus in his right knee while going through a non-contact drill in practice. Prior to the injury, he had recorded 15 tackles and an interception.
Awards and Honor
He was selected twice to the Second-Team All-Pac-12 (2013,2014), Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2013), Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Yer (2013), and First-Team Freshman All-America by the Sporting News.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Strengths: Although he lacks the ideal body frame for the position, Jack is an extremely athletic player with rare talent that allowed him to play on both sides of the ball throughout his collegiate career. He has above-average instincts with relentless pursuit of the ball that includes the ability to effectively weaving through traffic. He’s a versatile player, who has the ability to be an edge rusher in several defensive packages while also being more than able of playing as a 4-3 linebacker. What also separate Jack from most players at his position is his unique ability to cover both tight ends, running backs, and even some receivers in some instances due to his speed, strength, and defensive ball skills.
Weaknesses: The most obvious knock against him has been his size and length that has been deemed by many as too small for the position. He’s not an explosive hitter. There are also potential question marks surrounding his health due to the torn anterior meniscus that he suffered last September that ended his junior season.
Projections: Top 10 in the first round
NFL team fit: Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts
Source: NFL.com, ESPN.com
Bob Garcia IV is a sports journalist from Southern California. He is also the Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for Sportsoutwest.com and About.com. He was a reporter for the award-winning newspaper, The Daily Sundial, at California State University, Northridge. You can follow him on Twitter, @Bgarcia90.
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