STRENGTHS
Calijah will have an impact as an interior pass rusher and disrupter. He never stops working, down after down, trying to get into the backfield to make a play. He is the type of player that offensive linemen have to game plan for. Calijah is smart and once he finds the weak link in your offensive line, he will exploit it, using his quickness and work ethic to his advantage. Calijah is strong but it’s his suddenness and leverage that truly gives him the advantage to beat bigger players, and change the line of scrimmage in his favor. Going up against Calijah on pass-rushing downs is like going up against a rolling ball of butcher knives, you are not going to beat him so it’s best to just try to avoid him, like an evil mother-in-law.
CONCERNS
Calijah is vertically challenged for the Defensive Tackle position. In his case, it’s a gift and a curse. Because he struggles to change direction, he also will struggle to finish once he gets into the backfield and make sacks. Also, most will think because of his size, that he will be a detriment in defending against the run. Truth is, I don’t think he will be a detriment as much as people are suggesting because he works too hard against double teams not to be effective, and if you single up against him he will beat the block.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.94
As I stated before, going up against Calijah on pass-rushing downs, is like going up against a rolling ball of butcher knives. He never stops working and moving his feet and in spite of the lack of change of direction agility, he does find a way to finish and make sacks and TFL’s. It’s a joy to watch this kid play. His work ethic alone will make him effective and impacting. He might struggle a bit against the run but let’s face it, what Defensive Tackle in the NFL doesn’t struggle against the run? Trust me, this rolling ball of butcher knives will force offensive line coaches to game plan for. Calijah’s work ethic to be the best he can be is worth selecting him in the 1st round alone. At least, that’s how I see it.
