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 NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Curtis Lofton, LB
by Paul Hopkins
8/4/2008
Curtis Lofton, out of the University of Oklahoma is the prototype football player. Leaving university, forgoing his senior season to enter the draft, he possesses one attribute that most teams are desperate for at the linebacker position he just never stops, and never runs of out gas in the tank.
You can add his flexibility to this which could see him excel in both 4-3 and 3-4 defensive formations, and you can understand why there is a great deal of anticipation surrounding Lofton.
 However, it was really his senior season which cemented his place in the minds of NFL scouts and college football observers. Amassing a frightening 157 tackles on the season from his linebacker position (he predominantly player on the strong side, but moved inside for the final four games of his college career), he was rightly named as an All-American and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
After that big build up, you’re probably asking yourself why he isn’t a first round prospect. The simple answer to that lies in his relatively late emergence which means that teams will see him as not being a sure fire thing. He is still improving and whilst the potential is there, teams will want to see and study Lofton that little bit more before moving him up their draft boards.
Furthermore, physically Lofton is not there yet, and some teams will question whether this will hinder his transition in the NFL. However, on the flip side, he is one of those guys who you will hear people say is simply a football player. Pure and simple. The intangibles are there and the outputs are there. The statistics might not stack up but on the field, where it matters the most Lofton performs.
What we like about Lofton
 Lofton is incredibly football smart and ‘knows’ how to play football, it’s as simple as that. Watching him during games he plays quicker than those times he will have recorded during drills in the combine. His instincts are exceptional and he is one of those players that always appears to be around the ball.
He has the bulk to transfer what he did at Oklahoma to the NFL, but this does not diminish his natural speed, which is particularly pertinent in his strong pursuit ability.
Lofton is exceptionally strong in the tackle and is very solid against the run. He does an adequate job in coverage but that is by no means a strength of his.
Overall Lofton is a strong, hard hitting and effective linebacker who will be an asset to any team who drafts him. More than likely initially from the strong side position, but long-term his future should be in the middle.
Question marks over Lofton
Height is a concern for Lofton but that is not particularly a major weakness. Of more concern to scouts may be his relative lack of big time experience. Despite his outstanding 2007 junior season, he has only started 19 games.
 As already mentioned Lofton is not the best athlete at the position in the draft. That correlates into nothing more than adequate statistics and a relatively moderate timed speed.
Finally, pass rushing is something that Lofton has limited experience of and needs considerable improvement upon. Tackling against the run is his major strength and playing in coverage is enough to cope, but to become an all round top linebacker this will need to be improved.
Highlight of his college career
The entire 2007 season, in which he recorded 157 tackles, and ended up being named an All-American and the Big 12 defensive player of the year.
Other snippets of info
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His 157 tackles in 2007 were the most ever by a Sooner during head coach Bob Stoops’ tenure at the University.
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Compares to DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans.
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Would be a good fit for the New England Patriots.
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