STRENGTHS
Micah has the size, bulk, and athletic talent that every team in this draft should be excited about to add to their defense. He has an excellent burst to the ball and when he is sure of his assignment and reacts with confidence, he looks like a formula one race car with turbo power streaking to the play to make the tackle. Micah has the speed to go sideline to sideline and make plays. He has the speed to run down players from behind and when used to attack the line of scrimmage, Micah has the burst and explosion off the line, to make offensive tackles wear “depends” as standard underwear attire.
CONCERNS
Because Micah has only played 2 years at Penn State his football IQ and instincts to play linebacker is lacking. Because of his athletic talent and speed, he is able to wait for a play to develop and then make his move and that’s fine at the college level. He doesn’t shed blocks because he is free to make plays in Penn State’s system. He is free to blitz without taking a block on and because of his burst and speed he is just a better athlete than most players he goes up against. Micha has a lot to learn about playing linebacker.
BOTTOM LINE 2.08
The way Micah plays on the field and the way he is used by Penn State, reminds me, very much, of former Oklahoma LB Brian Bosworth. When Micah attacks the line of scrimmage the front four defensive lineman block like offensive lineman, opening holes for Micah to have a direct line into the backfield and make a play behind the line of scrimmage, just like Oklahoma did for Bosworth. If you’re looking for a size/ speed ratio guy to develop than Micah is your man but if you’re looking for a finished linebacker who will guide your defense and is a coach on the field, you might have to wait a few years until Micah can get up to speed mentally. He has excellent and unique athletic talent and along with his character that makes him a player that most teams will be willing to select early in this draft. I think a team that needs him to play and start right away will find that Micah will struggle to impact but a team in the playoffs with an established defense that can develop him slowly just might be the answer to Micah becoming an impact player at the next level. Nevertheless, it will be hard for any team in the 1st or 2nd round not to pull the trigger on selecting Micah, once he works out and interviews.
