Scouting report: Zack Follett

by Dan Kadar on Mar 21, 2009 10:00 PM EDT in 2009 NFL Draft

Zack Follett

6'2, 238 pounds | California | Outside linebacker

Strengths; 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.

Weaknesses: Where Follett struggles the most is moving laterally, especially in pass coverage. When he's asked to drop, he stands straight up and isn't fluid in his movements. Will have trouble making open field tackles when he doesn't have help. Has an odd tackling motion where he lowers his head. That may have led to a neck stinger in 2007, which knocked him out of three games. Needs to do better sinking his hips and driving through the ball carrier. Overruns the play against the run because he almost always goes after the quarterback. Struggles with play action.

Final word: Follett had a productive career, finishing with 23.5 sacks and 51 tackles for a loss. At Cal, Follett made his name as a pass rusher. Because of that, he doesn't possess a lot of skill against the run and dropping in coverage. He is a good pass rusher, though, thanks in large part to his strength and explosive quickness.

Round projection: 4

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Comments

I'd heard a lot about Follett as a Colts type LB

but he doesn’t really sound like one.

On the other hand the definition of “a Colts type LB” seems to be changing with the Wheeler pick last year and the Adam Seward signing today.

They say "he's so arrogant, the cocky kind"
but they always lookin', 'cause I'ma shine,
-Lil Wayne & Birdman "Get Your Shine On"

by shake n bake on Mar 22, 2009 2:31 AM EDT reply actions

the only "colts type" that I see in Follett

is that he is definitely a team player, more a “polian” guy than a tampa-2 guy.

Frankly, you here a lot about the Cal backers, but they just don’t do a whole lot for me. I think they are all backups at the NFL level, and they might just have a bust or two in the ranks. I heard a lot about Worrell being pegged for the Broncos, but there is no way with a shift to the 3-4. It is probably the “brother” connection with DJ Williams that is prompting it.

Amnesty, the idea that you can forgive transgressions against you, gives as much to one side, as it does the other. It has the noble quality of bestowing mercy to both parties.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 22, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions