NCAA Scouting – Player Profile: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee by Jody Jamieson 27/2/2009
Robert Ayers was a potential sleeper pick going into this years draft. A mid round guy who may breakout in his rookie year and surprise a lot of people. The difference between Ayers and the other sleepers is Ayers broke out at the Senior Bowl and showed everybody what he was about by having an MVP week in Mobile. Of course, Pat White got the MVP, but how often does a defensive player get that kind of recognition? Ayers was one of the stars of the week and was fabulous on gameday and left people in no doubt that he was a good player with a bright future. This year is especially interesting for a guy like Ayers as the majority of the best defensive end prospects at the top of many peoples boards are 3-4 players most likely suited to playing outside linebacker. Brian Orakpo, Everette Brown, Aaron Maybin, Tyson Jackson and Larry English are 5 of the prospects slated for potential outside linebacker roles in the pros. There’s a real possibility that there isn’t a defensive end drafted in the first round who is a nailed down 4-3 end.
Ayers wasn’t always a starter for the Vols, and doesn’t have a storied college career. It makes you wonder if he’s a late bloomer, or a guy who’s reached his ceiling and isn’t going to amount to much in the pros. Of course, not every player who becomes an excellent NFL player was an excellent college player, and Ayers may be the guy who went under the radar in college, only to become an excellent pro. You wonder if the inexperience is a sign of limited ability or just a late developer. He’s certainly carrying enough momentum going into the Draft to be a second round pick, and watching him on tape it’s plain to see he’s a football player. It’s easy to get immersed in the numbers, but if you went completely by the numbers, then Graham Harrell would be the #1 pick. We all know Graham Harrell isn’t the pro his numbers project, and from watching film, we all know Robert Ayers is a superior prospect than nine sacks in four years. Sack numbers are always tough to rank anyway in college with the spread offense cutting down sack numbers. And if you’re still over analysing the numbers, while Ayers only had the 9 sacks in college, he did have 31.5 career tackles for a loss, which shows a definite ability to get into the backfield.
I can’t see him cracking the first round, but will likely be taken in the second round by a team looking for speed off the edge and an ability to support the run and be a true three down defensive end in the NFL.
What we like about Ayers
Quick burst and can be really disruptive in the backfield both sacking the quarterback and stopping the run. Good strength and fends off blocks well. Was a real leader in college and was a team captain on defense with the Volunteers. Physical player with a mean streak who can be hard to contain. Hard worker who will hone his trade and make sure he gets the most out of his abilities.
Question marks about Ayers
Inexperienced and may not be able to make an impact straight away in the pros. Was an underachiever in his early days and doesn’t have a huge array of pass rush moves. He’s a little injury prone, who picked up a lot of niggles in college. Did have some off the field issues, but to his credit he is said to have matured a lot. We certainly hope that is the case.
Highlight of his college career
Ayers had a multi sack game in a 20-10 win at Vanderbilt. 2 sacks to his name to go with 6 tackles.
Other snippets
6′ 3″ tall and weighed in at 272 lbs at the Combine Ran a 4.80 40. May catch on well in the second round with the Giants as a project and a third down rusher at first. Will also interest Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Denver.
NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Ayers wasn’t always a starter for the Vols, and doesn’t have a storied college career. It makes you wonder if he’s a late bloomer, or a guy who’s reached his ceiling and isn’t going to amount to much in the pros. Of course, not every player who becomes an excellent NFL player was an excellent college player, and Ayers may be the guy who went under the radar in college, only to become an excellent pro. You wonder if the inexperience is a sign of limited ability or just a late developer. He’s certainly carrying enough momentum going into the Draft to be a second round pick, and watching him on tape it’s plain to see he’s a football player. It’s easy to get immersed in the numbers, but if you went completely by the numbers, then Graham Harrell would be the #1 pick. We all know Graham Harrell isn’t the pro his numbers project, and from watching film, we all know Robert Ayers is a superior prospect than nine sacks in four years. Sack numbers are always tough to rank anyway in college with the spread offense cutting down sack numbers. And if you’re still over analysing the numbers, while Ayers only had the 9 sacks in college, he did have 31.5 career tackles for a loss, which shows a definite ability to get into the backfield.
