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Texas Tech football: What Red Raider alums need to show at NFL Combine

By Matthew Conner

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech runs the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech runs the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Linebacker Jordyn Brooks #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Jordyn Brooks needs to show the strength to take on blockers

There’s a consensus that Jordyn Brooks’ greatest flaw is his ability to take on blockers and make a play.  That’s something that he will see more of in the NFL than in the Big 12 though the prevalence of the spread passing attack in the professional game has made linebackers that play solid pass coverage more valuable than those who are simply run-stuffers.

"The DraftNetwork.com says of Brooks’ ability to shed blockers: “Fairly ineffective here, wasn’t given a lot of reps where he was stepping down into blocks and actually challenging blockers. He’s slippery and does well to drop the shoulder or shoot across the face but if you run down hill at him, he’s going to struggle to stack up and hold his gap.”"

There’s a belief that Books might not be able to be a three-down linebacker at the NFL level because of his perceived ineffectiveness in this area of the game.  But in the modern NFL, linebackers are becoming more specialized and those that can play the pass are able to carve out nice careers for themselves because teams tend to throw the ball 55% of the time or more.

"“I really liked the way he performed in coverage,” says the scouting report at DynastyDraftRoom.com. “He clearly understands route concepts and can execute his zone drops very nicely. He also has the speed and athleticism to play good man coverage. He can flip and turn his hips to run with the receivers. His all-around ball skills are very good. He plays the ball in the air very well and will even come down with a pick or two throughout the season.”"

Proving that he can take on blockers will be tough this weekend.  There simply isn’t a drill that can simulate that aspect of the game.  Still, if he shows well in the bench press and the broad jump, it might convince teams that he has the physical traits necessary to hold up when battling blockers.

The best way Brooks can help himself is to prove even better at the areas of the game at which he’s already thought to be elite.  That means he needs to show well in the 20-yard shuttle, which is the most important event for linebackers because it displays their ability to change direction in space, an essential component of pass coverage.

Tankathon.com projects Brooks as the No. 84 pick to the Rams.  That’s a third-round selection but if he can prove to be more athletic than scouts currently believe, he could rise into the second round where a Tech defensive player has not been taken since safety Darcel McBath in 2009.

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