OLB, Zack Follett, Cal

OLB, Zack Follett, Cal

Pros:   Broad frame with the room for an additional 10-15 pounds of muscle mass. ... Improved play recognition as he gained experience. ... Plays with reckless abandon on every snap.

Cons:   Relies on his aggression and physicality to make the play. ... Inconsistent in his reads. ... Will take false steps and can be beaten over the top by play-action.

Styg's Broncos Fit:  This powerful, downhill player is an intimidating hitter and engages blocks with strength and explosion.  As a result he is often in a position to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and forced a lot of fumbles.  Not the best at pre-snap reads, however, and doesn't always take the best line to the play.  Refused to run the shuttle at the combine, reinforcing what appears to be a poor backpedal and stiff hips, though at Cal he was generally sent toward the play.  Follett is a player that can step in and make plays, but also be a critical weak link if opponents scheme against him, so he makes a legitimate backup who must work his way into the starting ranks.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

A passionate football player who goes all out on the field, Follett is primarily a pass rusher who is quick off the snap. When blitzing, Follett displays the ability to shake linemen and burst around them. Incredibly strong for a linebacker. Uses his strength to deliver devastating hits. Good at stacking and shedding. Closes on the ball when he has enough time to diagnose where it's going. Forced eight fumbles in his career.

From "Ultimate Colt's Draft" at Stampede Blue:

1.  Zack Follett - LB - Zack Follett has the kind of speed and size that we don't really see with our current LBs.  He will play as well or better in coverage than most LBs on the roster and has the speed and tenacity to give our new defensive coordinator another blitzing option.  Solid tackler and solid against the run.  I love this kid and hope we pick him in the fourth.

Highlights:

Senior Bowl practice and a nice hit.

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• He does a good job of diagnosing the play and finding the ball to make the tackle. A very sure tackler, he does a great job in run-support. Follett plays very well in pass coverage and does a good job of reading play-action. Follett has good ball skills and does a good job of batting passes down when he can not intercept them. He is a very good blitzer and has averaged just over 4 sacks per season since arriving at California.  [see more...]
• Zack Follett had a tremendous senior season for the Cal Bears with 23 TFL and 10.5 sacks. He seems to be a natural 3-4 outside linebacker. He may not have the upside of some of the more explosive players in the draft, due to just average physical ability, but he has all of the intangibles and production you could want. A great value pick in the middle of the draft, he can be an NFL Starter, and at worst, should be a backup who excels at special teams.  [see more...]
• A two-year starter for the Bears but saw extensive action in a backup capacity early on...Has a wood-cutting hobby in which he has shaped plywood into life size replicas of teammates...Has a history of shoulder injuries...Tends to get nicked up a lot because of the way he plays but to his credit he doesn't miss games...Has experience in both a 4-3 and 3-4 defensive scheme...Doesn't stand out from a physical standpoint but intangibles are exceptional ... Should at least be a valuable backup.  [see more...]
• One of the hardest hitters in college football. Known for making bone crushing hits. Makes a different sound when he is involved in the tackle. Uses the right technique when it comes to wrapping up and keeping his balance. Puts his head across the ball carrier and forces a lot of fumbles, 13 in his career.  [see more...]
• A tough, passionate linebacker who plays with a great motor and work rate on every play. Craves contact and takes on blocks with good power and pop in the hole. Is an effective blitzer with the body control and tenacity to get after the quarterback. Was a lot more fluid and agile in space than anticipated at the Senior Bowl. Does a nice job flipping his hips and closing quickly on the ball in man coverage. His instincts have improved greatly over the past two years.  [see more...]