Vontaze Burfict 2012 NFL Draft prospect notes

Vontaze Burfict
6'3, 255 pounds | Linebacker | Arizona State

First word: Burfict is getting a lot of love among draft analysts and deservedly so.  He is a physical specimen with both great size and quickness.  The first think I noticed about Burfict was his impressive size and bulk.  However, I was equally impressed with his quickness and flow to the football.  His athletic ability is combined with a high motor and drive to make plays.  He plays with a nastiness that results in big hits and Burfict always being around the football.

While Burfict has a ton of strengths, he also has a few areas that need improvement.  Like most college football players, Burfict struggles with sound tackling technique.  He often leads with his head and throws his shoulder into the ball carrier not wrapping up.  He also needs to do a better job stacking and shedding.  For a player of his size, Burfict looks to avoid blockers too often rather than attacking and shedding.

There just isn't many linebackers with his skill set which will make him an attractive player come next April.  Obviously, Burfict needs to build on his success but all signs point to him being an early selection.



Bold statement: Vontaze Burfict will be a top 10 selection.

Games viewed: Oregon ('10), Arizona ('10), Stanford ('10)

Vontaze Burfict
6'3, 255 pounds | Linebacker | Arizona State

Notes:

• Burfict is a rare player with excellent size and quickness
• He has great bulk and overall build, just an intimidating presence 
• His quickness allows him to be a sideline to sideline player
  
• Offensive players rarely out run his angles
• He has good recognition and quickly flows to the football
• His post snap diagnosis is quick and gives him a good jump
• Burfict is a tenacious player that is always in pursuit of the football
• When he reaches the ball career he delivers a punishing hit
• The best way to describe Burfict is explosive
• He has great closing speed and gets up on the ball carrier quick
• Against Oregon, he looked very quick despite the speed on Oregon's offense
• Burfict has good blitz timing and savvy
• His lateral quickness and suddenness allows him to avoid blocks and slip past blockers
• He is a 4 down player providing good special team play
• Burfict needs to improve his tackling as he often leads with his head and doesn't wrap up
• He is a little flat in coverage and needs to gain more depth
• I would like to see him take on blockers more and use his size and strength to stack and shed