STRENGTHS
Khyiris athletic talent and unique in the box quickness, is very rare for a reported 6’ 4” 340 LB, Defensive Lineman. His ability to affect passing plays and shut down the running game between the line of scrimmage is impacting. When Khyiris gets lose on passing downs and comes directly up the middle, it’s like watching a solar eclipse slowly engulf the quarterback. Khyiris doesn’t stop all game long, he is relentless either pushing the pocket or shutting down the run or taking on the double team so the linebackers can run free to the play. Khyiris doesn’t just stop at the hash marks. He easily goes down the line, stringing out sweeps, not allowing to be pushed off the line, and once again allowing for linebackers to clean up. He is so athletic that BYU uses him at 340 lbs, as a fullback on the goal line! Think about that if you’re a linebacker who weighs 100 lbs less, trying to be stout against the run for your defense. I believe teams will not have a dominating defense unless they have a Defensive Tackle or Nose Tackle who does all the grunt work of pushing the pocket and shutting down the run and demanding double teams. That’s why I call him Khyiris (Grunt) Tonga.
CONCERNS
He might be able to push the pocket but unless you are in his path, sacks will not come often. Once you get 340 lbs moving in one direction it’s pretty hard to change direction laterally. Also, stamina is always an issue with the big Defensive lineman so how teams value rotating lineman, differs from team to team and that will affect his draft status.
BOTTOM LINE 1.83
I’m not here to tell you where a player is going to be selected in a draft. I’m here to give you my opinion of his impact and talent and where I might select a player in the draft. I value excellent Nose Tackles higher than others because I believe unless you stuff the run and push the pocket and demand through your play, to be double teamed so that the pass rushes and can be singled up on the outside and not double-teamed, that you will not have a dominating defense. That’s just what I believe. I believe that if an offensive coordinator can double team an impact pass rusher, then that edge rusher will not be effective but if you have to double team a nose tackle on passing downs because they are so disruptive than your pass rushers are single up or your offense running backs have to stay in and block and that means your quarterback has fewer options and will have to hold on to the ball longer and then, guess what that does for a defense…sacks. Khyiris reminds me a lot of former Bears 1985 1st round pick, William (The Refrigerator) Perry, and I believe he will have the same impact.
