Today was Ryan Kerrigan day at the NFL combine here in Indianapolis. There were a bunch of other NFL Defensive End prospects at Lucas Oil Stadium today, but Superman tested out as a mid-first round prospect as expected. here is what the NFL had to say about his strengths and weaknesses:
Ryan Kerrigan |
Kerrigan is a beast of a football player that has the ability to be a difference maker at the next level. He appears to be versatile enough to play defensive end in a 4-3 and outside linebacker in a 3-4. He has the lower body strength to hold his ground in the running game and is a relentless pass rusher. He is a strip sacks specialist who became the Big Ten's all time leader in forced fumbles as a senior. There are questions whether he can play on his feet in space in the NFL, but Kerrigan is a likely a mid-first round pick.
Kerrigan has good size and speed. Explodes off the line and plays with sound leverage to get under offensive tackles. Persistent pass rusher with great closing burst that has a knack for making strip sacks. Reads quickly and has a strong lower half which makes him stout against the run. Very productive. Lacks the elite burst and speed to consistently get around the edge. Does not show an adequate repertoire of pass rushing counter moves. Struggles at times to make plays in space. Lacks experience on his feet as an outside linebacker.
Here is also video of his press conference, provided by Matt Grecco at SBNation: Indiana.
It still seems like people expect Kerrigan to be your typical 4-3 rush end or a 3-4 outside linebacker. Many of Purdue's great rush ends have converted to to outside linebackers with success like Anthony Spencer and Shaun Phillips. Kerrigan lacks experience without his hand in the dirt, but he can likely easily pick that up.
The NFL's combine website only listed his bench press numbers, but several of the NFL sites here at SBNationare on board:
Canal Street Chronicles says Pick the Boilermaker.
Bleeding Green Nation is a fan.
Turf Show Times said jaws hit the floor when Kerrigan performed.
Big Blue Review thinks he can play well for the Giants.
Watch NFL Scouting Combine Feb 24 - Mar 1