2013 NFL Draft: Alec Ogletree Prospect Profile

Nov 3, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (14) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree (9) and linebacker Christian Robinson (45) in the game at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Alec Ogletree’s evaluation goes beyond the gridiron.  During his college career, he has been cited for DUI (February 2013), a failed drug test (Summer of 2012), and stealing a scooter (not joking, September 2010).  His play and potential on the field had Ogletree as a sure fire first rounder. Even with a four game suspension to start the season, he led the Georgia Bulldogs this year in tackles with 111.  Ogletree also contributed with an interception, five pass breakups, three sacks, nine quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.  Needless to say, he was a playmaker for the talent rich Georgia defense.  He is a long rangy athlete that is a unique blend of size and speed.

Measurables:

Strengths:

Ogletree is a former safety that pops out on film with tremendous speed, acceleration, and agility. He is a sideline to sideline defender that excels in pursuit angles. Ogletree’s redirection skills are apparent as he will put his foot into the ground with great authority and effectiveness.  As a pass defender, he mirrors receivers while keeping his eyes in the backfield. It is almost as if Ogletree senses what the play is designed to do on down field routes, breaks down and drives before the ball is even thrown.  These instincts show up in zone coverage as well, often going beyond his responsibility to impact a passing lane while getting the proper depth for maximum value. Upon a quarterback’s release, Ogletree attacks the receiver’s hands to cause a pass breakup.  His athleticism, length and jumping ability are on display when batting down balls down field.  When receivers were able to catch the ball against Ogletree, he limited the damage by not allowing YAC and being right on top of them.

As a blitzer, the phrase that comes to mind is ‘shot out of a cannon.’  Ogletree is extremely versatile with what he can do as a 3-4 middle linebacker blitzer and isn’t a one trick pony.  Georgia used him as a delayed blitzer very often because he can explode through holes once the linemen get into their sets.  It may be that a lot of these “blitzes” were really man coverage plays where a back stayed in to block but wasn’t able to pick Ogletree once he diagnosed their role in the play.  Stunts were not utilized perhaps as much as they should have been at Georgia with Ogletree but when they were called he was extremely disruptive.  Off the edge, he was used to blow up zone read type offenses disrupting the rhythm of the play.

Ogletree’s run defense attributes are new age.  Disruptive would be the most appropriate definition of his impact.  While he is not the classic thumper Mike backer, he uses his slippery tendencies to get around blockers to force ballcarrier’s to change direction.  This often resulted in tackles for a loss or setting up a teammate for a tackle.  In most instances when wrapping up, he tackles with good flexion and initiation.  The best example of this was in the SEC Championship as a junior where he sticks Eddie Lacy on the goal line before the Bulldogs ultimately force a Lacy fumble on the play.

His game performance from sophomore to junior year is remarkable.  He has always had the athleticism that makes scouts droll but in the second half of 2012, he was a downright force because of improved play recognition.

Weaknesses:

Intangibles, intangibles, intangibles… His rapsheet and off the field activities will be under a microscope during the pre-draft interviews.  Often you can excuse a lapse in judgment by young men but when it happens three times during a career, it becomes a pattern.  It will take a strong locker room and job secure general manager to take Ogletree with the baggage and questions he will bring.

Ogletree’s instincts in the run game mirror that of his safety background.  He wants to run around defenders instead of initiating linemen to fill a hole.  To exacerbate this problem, he lacks prototypical middle linebacker bulk for the next level and often attacks the wrong shoulder when engaging an interior lineman.  This makes their job extremely easy for interior road graters as they will swallow up him when stuck in a phone booth.  Ogletree is handled fairly easily once their hands engaged and they wash him out of plays Additionally, he likes to float about five yards downfield instead of getting north when he doesn’t immediate identify the play.

As a tackler, he normally breaks down with proper technique but he is prone to over aggression. This aggression leads causes mistackles when he goes for big hits instead of sure tackle. Ogletree is also prone to catching ballcarriers in his chest when tackling and he’ll get pushed back.

In coverage, his strength often leads to his downfall on some plays.  He is extremely gifted reading the quarterback’s eyes but this opens him up to eye manipulation.  Screens and draws exploited this weakness because he would fall for the misdirection plays often throughout his career.

Projection:

I project Alec Ogletree in two roles for the NFL.  He has the skills to continue the transformation of the middle linebacker position that Pat Willis and Lawrence Timmons have begun or he could play weak side linebacker ala Derrick Brooks.  Either role would fit his skill set because he is dynamic.  With the ascension and expansion of the passing game in the NFL, defenders like Ogletree will be in high demand.  He should be a top ten selection in the April’s draft but look for him to fall about 10-30 picks because of the characters concerns settling him between 20-40.

Grade – 9.0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC8CmJtkN8c