Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
HEIGHT: 6’2″
WEIGHT: 228
HAND: open minded
POOR: open minded
SPAN: open minded
40 YARD RUN: open minded
3-CONE: open minded
COMMUTE: open minded
VERTICAL: open minded
BROAD: open minded
POSITIVE
– Quick to read gap runs on the game side and has good speed when going downhill to hit pullers in place.
– Physically at the attack point and takes on blocks with his hands and a broad base.
– Has good linear speed and fluid hips to carry receivers when playing Tampa 2 or on downfield routes from backs and tight ends in man coverage.
– Decent at locating threats coming into its area in zone coverage.
– Acceleration also helps him rally and close against checkdowns.
– Hustle player who can make touchdown saving tackles on the field.
NEGATIVES
– Not gap-disciplined against inner zone runs. He will fit into the wrong gap or leave his assignment early and create rushing lanes.
– Lacks the agility and lateral movement ability to sift through the junk against zone runs. It also doesn’t help that he’s playing a little too close to the line of scrimmage.
– Not powerful enough to hold and stack and shed against physical offensive linemen.
– Angles too low when chasing; he tries to keep the ball carrier on his inside shoulder. Also comes in too hot and doesn’t collapse when making the tackle.
– Tackles up and either stops or lunges and leaves his feet, especially in space, resulting in missed shots or extra yards after contact for running backs.
– Slow run/pass transitions compared to play action, and doesn’t work for enough depth when spot-dropping, leaving open throwing windows over midfield.
– Changing direction is tough and gives him problems with backfield backs on choice or out routes and when trying to switch paths and get into the open lane as a pass rusher.
– It takes a while to read releases when zoning or pattern matching, and often has to catch up to cover its man.
REMARKS
– Date of birth: January 5, 2001
– Tennessee transfer
– A 4-star recruit in the 2019 class, #44 overall, #3 OLB, according to 247Sports composite rankings
– No major injuries
– 50 career starts
– Career stats (four seasons): 346 total tackles (172 solo), 28 TFL, 8 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PD, 1 FF
– 2022 Honors: First-Team All-SEC (Coach), Butkus Award Semifinalist
– 2021 Honours: Second Team All-SEC (Coach)
– Honors 2020: Fourth Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
2019 Honors: Freshman All-American (247Sports, The Athletic), SEC All-Freshman Team (Coach)
TOTAL
Henry To’oTo’o has an interesting athletic profile. He shows plenty of linear speed which helps him come downhill against the run and which combined with his fluid hips allows him to carry downfield routes and cover the deep middle in Tampa 2. However, its lateral movements and changes of direction are sub-par, impairing its ability to maneuver through junk and follow sharp routes in humans.
It will be interesting to see how To’oTo’o tests at the NFL Scouting Combine as he could address some of those concerns, particularly on drills like shuttles and three-cone. That could make him a good “will” linebacker for a team looking to add some depth to the position.
Overall, the Alabama product has many flaws in his game, and he’ll likely be more of a backup and spot starter working on special teams. He has experience as a specialist in college and his speed and physicality could be an advantage there at the next level.
DEGREE: 6.9 (Potential Roleplayer / 4th Round)
TOTAL PLACE: 85
POSITION RANK: LB6
PRO COMPARISON: Monty Rice
Written by B/R NFL Draft Scout Matt Holder