Rey Maualuga

6’2, 260 pounds | Middle linebacker | Southern California

Strengths: Plays with a lot of passion and is as intense of a player as there is in the entire nation. Never quits on a play. Always work hard to get to the ball. Makes audible calls for the front seven. Prototypical size for the position. Has an NFL body. Packed with loads of raw ability and power. Excellent speed for a middle linebacker, especially one of his size. Incredible short-area burst. Changes direction with ease and doesn’t lose much speed. Always appears to be running downhill. Has the strength to shed quickly. An explosive tackler who has made a lot of highlight-reel hits during his career. A technically sound drive tackler.

Weaknesses: He’s not always the first player on the ball. Needs to improve his recognition against the run because he’ll sometimes fill the wrong lanes. Should play with a little more discipline. Could probably benefit from losing a few pounds, which would improve his lateral agility. Mostly a straight-forward pass rusher. Can be inconsistent in his rush and gets his sacks in bunches.

Final word: Explosive and powerful middle linebacker who play with a lot of intensity. Scary hitter. Still a little raw as a football player. Has improved every year at USC. Arrested in 2005 after allegedly punching someone at a Halloween party. No charges were ever filed.

Round projection: 1