Sports Ruckus Scouting Report: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Randy Gregory – Nebraska – DE
6’6’/245lbs.
Senior
Pros:
Speed
Good in pursuit
Has the speed to chase down RB and fast QB
Stays at home down the LOS
Sets wide, beats OL of ball and rounds corner quick with a slap away
Elusive
Quickness
Holds Contain Well
Cons:
When OL gets hands on him he can get caught
Needs to increase strength and size to stay at DL on next level
A lot of highlights coming against lesser teams
Randy Gregory is a standout defensive lineman for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Gregory is hoping to build on his breakout 2013 year that landed him in the national spotlight. With another solid year it would be no surprise to see this man work his way into the first round.
There is no denying his athletic skill and ability to get to the quarterback. Gregory just explodes off the ball and gets to top speed quickly. The lesson to be learned here is to not give this man any open field to work with. A lot of the time Nebraska will line him up five to seven yards off the line of scrimmage in a linebacker position. Most of the time he is going to blitz out of this position which plays right into his strengths. This allows Gregory get a head of steam before he hits the line.
The ability of Gregory to line up off the line of scrimmage speaks to his versatility on defense. He can be effective across from the lineman as well as in the linebacker position. It will be interesting to see how Gregory comes into camp this year as well as how he operates during this upcoming college football season. He needs to add width and strength on his frame if he hopes to be effective at the next level.
It will be imperative for Gregory to improve his hand technique and strength to help improve his release. Gregory is most effective when he lines out wide and makes the offensive lineman move his feet laterally. He then uses his speed to kill the lineman off the ball and smoothly passes the lineman occasionally dispensing a hand slap to keep the lineman’s hands off of him. If the lineman can get their hands on Gregory he can become marginal. He struggles to release off of an engaged blocker. Improving his strength will pay dividends to improving this area of his game.
Gregory’s speed, quickness, and lateral movement make him a terror for offensive coordinators to plan against. He holds contain incredibly well leaving athletic quarterbacks relatively ineffective. Gregory moves down the line of scrimmage with ease and pace forcing plays back up the middle. He has a nose for the ball and performs beautifully in pursuit. On a number of occasions he comes from off the screen to make a play on the other side of the field.
Randy Gregory is an outstanding prospect for next year’s NFL draft. This year in the Big 10 will be a challenge for Gregory now that he is officially on every coach’s radar. Teams will scheme differently now but Gregory has the intangibles for continued success.
SCORE 82.5
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