2015 NFL Draft Prospect Hau’oli Kikaha

Oct 11, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Hau

Is He For Real?

Now, Kikaha has showing no effects from his two knee injuries as he has plenty of burst coming off the edge. That’s why he’s tied for leading the Nation in sacks with 17.5 and has the outright lead in tackles for a loss with 23.5. He’s not a liability in coverage either so he has definitely adapted to working out of that base 3-4 he is working out to for the first time.

He’s also good against the run, setting the edge as he has a powerful hand-punch to shed blockers and locate the ball. But it’s really all about the sacks with Kikaha as he has quick hands that he knows how to use with that speed and power. And to go with his hand slaps and swim moves, he has a quick spin move and the power he has is used in a bull rush.

Kikaha’s speed and power  isn’t Jadeveon Clowney-like but he doesn’t depend on just that—he uses skill to sack the quarterback too. And that skill he still has is the result of the work ethic he showed to come back to such a level after having two knee surgeries. All that tells you he has to be for real as the scouts now notice and project him to be picked up in the second round.