VT vs. UK: 5 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Belk Bowl
847. Scouting Report. player. 23. Pick Analysis. LB. Virginia Tech. Rayshard Ashby
While the aforementioned Reggie Floyd is the leader of the secondary for the Hokies, Rayshard Ashby is the leader of the front seven of the defense. He is clearly the leading tackler for Virginia Tech with 105 total tackles on the season. He also added 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup.
Ashby has a compact and solid build at 5-foot-10 and 237 pounds. He is at his best coming downhill as a hard hitter in the run game. He is a very good and fundamentally sound tackler in space and in the run game. While he possesses solid athleticism overall, he lacks the speed to make plays sideline-to-sideline. He does show the ability to run with some tight ends up the seam though. His lack of length can really hinder him when trying to disengage from blocks in the run game.
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The Hokies will really need Ashby’s great tackling ability against the tough, physical run game of Kentucky. This game should show off his strengths as he will be tasked with coming downhill and playing the run most of the game. Much of the Hokies’ defensive success in this game will come down to Ashby’s ability to run with and tackle the aforementioned Lynn Bowden in space.