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Last Login: Today @ 12:03 PM
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| We all know that Derrick Harvey was the Jags No. 1 draft choice, but here is more information on the player.Name: *Derrick Harvey
College: Florida Number: 91
Height: 6-5 Weight: 271
Position: DE Pos2: OLB
Class/Draft Year: rJr/2008
40 Time: 4.84 40 Low: 4.73 40 High: 4.91
Projected Round: 1 Stock: High: 8-10 Low: Mid 1
Rated number 3 out of 162 DE's 13 / 2546 TOTAL |
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Combine Results | Pro Day Results | Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 6045
Weight: 271
40 Yrd Dash: 4.84
20 Yrd Dash: 2.76
10 Yrd Dash: 1.59 | 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 31
Vertical Jump: 28 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.36
3-Cone Drill: 7.27
| Dates: 03/18/08
Height: 6045
Weight: 271
40 Yrd Dash:
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash: | 225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump:
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:
| | Before Combine: Hgt: 6043, Wgt: 252, 40YD: 4.67-4.73-4.78 |
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Draft Scout Snapshot: 2008 Postseason update (04/04/08): Stock: Up. Another college end who could end up playing upright in a 3-4 system for some teams, especially after looking very smooth in linebacker drills at the Combine and his pro day. But teams looking for a rush end are also very interested in him after his Combine: 4.84 40 at 6'4"+, 271 pounds, 31 reps.
2007: Started all thirteen games at left defensive end, helping the Gators lead the league and rank tenth nationally in run defense (103.31 ypg)…Recorded 49 tackles (31 solos), as he led the team and ranked tied for fifth in the SEC with 8.5 sacks for minus 63 yards…Paced the defense and placed fifth in the conference with 17 stops for losses of 89 yards, the tenth-best season total in school history…Registered three quarterback pressures and caused one fumble…Also deflected five passes…On 47 running plays directed into his area, the opposition was held to minus 28 yards (-0.6 avg), as he did not allow a rushing first down until the Capital One Bowl (gave up three vs. Michigan)…Made ten third-down tackles and one more on fourth-down activity…In addition to his 17 stops for losses, he stopped opposing ball carriers at the line of scrimmage for no gain on six other rushing attempts…Collected three of his tackles on goal-line stands…More than held his own vs. the offensive tackles (the main blocker that faced Harvey each week averaged out to 311 pounds). 14 GP; 5 GS; 35 TT, 13 TFL, 11 SK, 8 QBH, 1 FF; Stepping in for '07 draft pick Ray McDonald. 2nd team All-SEC in '06. 9 GP; 0 GS; 7 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SK, 1 PBU in '05. Redshirted in '04. |
The unquestioned leader of the Gators' defensive unit, Derrick Harvey put on a dominating performance during his final season at Florida.
Thrust into captaincy as a junior, he more than lived up to the coaching staff's expectations, as Florida led the Southeastern Conference and ranked 10th in the nation, allowing only 103.31 yards rushing per game in 2007.
Despite just 18 career starts, Harvey finished his career ninth all-time at UF with 20.5 quarterback sacks.
Harvey was an All-America selection by Tom Lemming, EA Sports, Riddell and Super Prep, adding second-team All-USA honors from USA Today as a senior at Roosevelt High School. He was named the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and was rated the third-best defensive end in the nation and top-rated defensive end in the Atlantic Region by TheInsiders.com (also a five-star choice on the National Hot 100 list and a first-team All-Atlantic region selection by that publication).
Harvey received a five-star rating and was listed as the second-best defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com. He was rated the premier prospect in the Mid-Atlantic region by Super Prep and received first-team All-State honors by the Associated Press. What makes all of these accolades even more impressive was the fact that he never played organized football until his junior season, as he was a two-year standout for the basketball team before finding football.
As a senior, Harvey served as team captain, guiding the squad to a 12-1 record in 2003, losing its only game of the season in the Class 4A state semifinals. Playing defensive end and tight end, he recorded 150 tackles and a Maryland state-record 31 sacks, as well as five forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and five batted down passes.
Harvey enrolled at Florida in 2004, as the university won a heated recruiting battle over Ohio State, Maryland and Tennessee. He redshirted and bulked up to 230 pounds. He saw limited action in nine games in 2005, playing behind starters Ray McDonald and Jarvis Moss at both defensive end positions. He finished his first year with the varsity by producing six tackles (four solo) with a six-yard sack and a pass deflection.
As a sophomore, Harvey shared left defensive end duties with Ray McDonald, starting five contests when the senior was sidelined with an injury. He recorded 35 tackles (24 solo) and led the team with 11 sacks, tied for the fifth-best season total in school history. He also paced the Gators with 13 stops for losses, adding eight quarterback pressures. He recovered three fumbles and caused another, picking up second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors, in addition to garnering MVP accolades for his performance in the BCS National Championship Game vs. Ohio State.
Harvey earned All-American third-team and All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors in 2007. The team captain started all thirteen games at left end, posting 49 tackles (31 solo), including 8.5 sacks and three pressures. His 17 stops behind the line of scrimmage rank 10th on the school single-season list. He also caused a fumble and broke up five passes. The fourth-year junior waited until after the Capital One Bowl to announce that he would enter the 2008 draft instead of returning to the Gators.
In 36 games at Florida, Harvey started 18 contests. He closed out his career ninth on the school's all-time record list with 20.5 sacks for minus 158 yards, adding 31 stops for losses of 190 yards and eleven quarterback pressures. He registered 90 tackles (59 solos), as he recovered three fumbles, returning one nine yards. He also caused two fumbles and had six pass deflections.
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Positives: Has an ideal wing span (82 inches) with a tall frame and room to carry at least another 15 pounds of bulk...Displays lean muscle development, tight waist and hips and strong thighs and calves...Consistent pass rusher who can turn at full speed and chase down the ballcarrier on the outside...Must be accounted for and game planned by the opponent due to his sudden burst coming off the edge...When he keeps his hands active and uses his long reach, he can easily play off blocks...Flashes very good short-area acceleration and good leaping ability to impact the passing game at the line of scrimmage...Has good agility, balance and flexibility closing on the pocket...Plays with a consistent motor and won't give up on plays, despite usually being outweighed by over 50 pounds vs. his opponents (in 2007, his primary blocker averaged 311 pounds)...Not loud or vocal, letting his action due the talking, he displays a good work ethic...Has no problem making game-time mental adjustments, as he is alert to blocking schemes, slipping past trash...Has the mental ability to take plays from the chalkboard to the playing field...Is seldom faked out, as he reads and reacts to the play with good vision and shows urgency closing on the ball...Combines explosive quickness with adequate playing strength...Moves well off the snap and gets his best production when he beats the offensive tackle with quickness...Has outstanding timed speed coming off the edge and will stand up some, as well as play in a two-point stance, gaining good advantage by pinning the blocker's ears back with his quick-twitch movement...Quick reactor who takes proper angles attacking from the backside...Is consistently the first defensive lineman off the snap, showing the speed to come off the corner and pressure the pocket...High-energy type with good vision to locate the ball on the move...Sees plays develop and shows good patience while containing in attempts to shut down the reverse...Reacts quickly to block pressure, but does not change direction well in a crowd as he does in the open...When he has an unimpeded line to the ball, he closes with force and suddenness...Able to shed and make plays vs. the tight end, but even when he's overmatched vs. an offensive tackle, he will give full effort until the whistle...Able to neutralize one-on-one blocks, but is not a two-gap player that can handle double teams on a steady basis...Capable of playing with leverage and can get his hands into the tight end, stand the opponent up and shed, but will get rerouted vs. the bigger offensive tackles...Has the athletic ability to move laterally in pursuit and always gives a consistent effort on the chase from the backside...Takes good angles to the ball and flashes a good short-area burst...Could do a better job of securing tackles with his arms, as he lets a few ballcarriers get away, but he is an explosive form tackler when closing on the quarterback...Will throw his body around to make the play and what he does best is apply constant pressure on the pocket with his upfield burst and smooth hips...Shows a good rip, swim, counter and bull-rush move, with the ability to dip turning the corner...Has good hand placement on the blocker, but needs to use those hands better to prevent from being cut blocked...When he uses his hands and reach properly, he can gain separation, control and get off blocks...Has the speed to close the deal coming off twists and games and when he breaks free from the block, he takes dead aim on the passer...Has the hunger you want in a pass rusher when closing.
Negatives: Has a tall, lanky frame and will need to add at least another 15 pounds of bulk, if he is to play with his hand down...Could possibly move to linebacker to take advantage of his speed, but he lacks experience at that position and struggles to keep his pads down in his backpedal, making him take false steps in transition when dropping back into pass coverage...Best when used on the move, as he does not have the size to overpower 300-plus pound offensive linemen on a steady basis (has problems when the bigger blockers latch on to him), as he will get rerouted if he doesn't beat the block with quickness...Can run down the line of scrimmage, but he struggles when he has to quickly change direction and despite his long wing span, he can't handle low trash...Must be more effective using his long reach to prevent blockers from getting into his chest...Because of his tall, lanky frame, he doesn't handle low blocks well and struggles with agility to consistently keep his feet clean...Has good hand usage and pass-rush techniques, but struggles once engaged in attempts to free up (best when he has an unimpeded path to the quarterback)...Could finish better when tackling and sometimes lets his hands get outside his frame, causing him to miss on some arm swipes.
Compares To: JEVON KEARSE-Philadelphia...Harvey might be too tall to shift to outside linebacker at the next level, but there is no question that he has the speed to play there. Despite his lanky frame, he is much more than just an edge rusher, evident by the fact that opponents were held to minus-28 yards on 47 running plays in his area last year. He needs to add more bulk to his frame, but 19.5 sacks and 30 stops for losses over his last two seasons vs. 300-plus pound offensive linemen are evidence that proves he has the power and avoidance skills to pressure the pocket on a consistent basis. Put him in a system like Dallas uses with Anthony Spencer and Greg Ellis and Harvey could develop into an Adalius Thomas-type who is best when allowed to roam the field.
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Harvey's 20.5 quarterback sacks rank ninth on the school's all-time list behind Alex Brown (33, 1998-01), Alonzo Johnson (27, 1981-85), Huey Richardson (26.5, 1987-90), Clifford Charlton (25, 1984-87), Wilber Marshall (23, 1980-83), Kevin Carter (21.5, 1991-94), David Galloway (21, 1977-81) and Robin Fisher (21, 1978-81)...His 8.5 sacks in 2007 rank 13th and his 11 sacks in 2006 rank tied for fifth on the school's single-season list, surpassed by Alex Brown (13 in 1999), Huey Richardson (12.5 in 1989), Alonzo Johnson (12 in 1985) and Kevin Carter (11.5 in 1994)...Harvey's 17 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2007 was the 10th-best season total in Florida annals and the most by a Gator since Alex Brown had 18 stops for losses in 1999.
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All-American third-team choice by The NFL Draft Report...All-Southeastern Conference second-team pick by the league's coaches, adding honorable mention from Associated Press...Quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy, presented by the Pacific Club Foundation... Named to the Defensive Player of the Year Watch List presented by the Ted Hendricks Club Foundation...Named a team captain and served as a member of the Leadership Committee...Started all thirteen games at left defensive end, helping the Gators lead the league and rank tenth nationally in run defense (103.31 yards per game)...Recorded 49 tackles (31 solo) and led the team and ranked tied for fifth in the SEC with 8.5 sacks for minus-63 yards...Paced the defense and placed fifth in the conference with 17 stops for losses of 89 yards, the 10th-best season total in school history...Registered three quarterback pressures and caused one fumble...Also deflected five passes...On 47 running plays directed into his area, the opposition was held to minus 28 yards (minus-0.6 average), as he did not allow a rushing first down until the Capital One Bowl (gave up three vs. Michigan)...Made 10 third-down tackles and one more on fourth-down activity...In addition to his 17 stops for losses, he stopped opposing ballcarriers at the line of scrimmage for no gain on six other rushing attempts...Collected three of his tackles on goal-line stands...More than held his own vs. offensive tackles (the main blocker that faced Harvey each week averaged 311 pounds).
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All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection as chosen by league coaches...Named Defensive Most Valuable Player of the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game...Saw action in 14 games, sharing left defensive end duties with Ray McDonald, earning starting assignments vs. Kentucky, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Western Carolina and Ohio State...Finished with 35 tackles (24 solos) while helping the team rank sixth in the nation in total defense (255.43 yards per game), sixth in scoring defense (13.5 points per game) and fifth in rush defense (72.5 ypg)...Led the team with 11 sacks for minus-89 yards, the fifth-best season total in school history...Also paced the Gators with thirteen stops for losses of 95 yards and eight pressures...Recovered three fumbles, advancing one nine yards and also had a forced fumble.
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Appeared in nine contests, sitting out vs. LSU, Georgia and South Carolina... Part of the second unit at both defensive end positions, recording six tackles (four solo) with a six-yard sack and a pass deflection.
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Redshirted as a freshman.
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Campus: 4.67 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided)...4.73 in the 40-yard dash (against the wind)...350-pound bench press...Bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times...500-pound squat...39-inch vertical jump...82-inch wingspan.
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Attended Eleanor Roosevelt (Greenbelt, Md.) High School, playing football for head coach Rick Houchens...All-America selection by Tom Lemming, EA Sports, Riddell and Super Prep, adding second-team All-USA honors from USA Today as a senior...Named Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and was rated the third-best defensive end in the nation and top-rated defensive end in the Atlantic Region by TheInsiders.com (also a five-star choice on the National Hot 100 list and a first-team All-Atlantic region pick by that publication)...Received a five-star rating and was listed as the second-best defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com...Rated the premier prospect in the Mid-Atlantic region by Super Prep, and also received first-team All-State honors by the Associated Press for his efforts...Never played organized football until his junior season, as he was a two-year standout for the basketball team before suiting up for the football team...As a senior, Harvey served as team captain, guiding the squad to a 12-1 record in 2003, losing its only game of the season in the Class 4A state semifinals...Playing defensive end and tight end, he recorded 150 tackles and a Maryland state-record 31 sacks with five forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and five deflected passes.
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Anthropology major...Active member of the Goodwill Gators who participated in the Adopt-A-Team event...Born 11/09/86...Resides in Greenbelt, Maryland.
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| 04/25/08 - He was only 17 when his parents dropped him off at UF's campus in June 2004. It didn't take long for homesickness to settle in, so his parents made a pact never to miss one of his games. They left between 11 p.m. and midnight every Friday for the 780-mile road trip from Greenbelt, Md. His mother and stepfather took turns driving through the night until they reached Gainesville early Saturday morning, making it to The Swamp still sleep deprived. Florida coach Urban Meyer made it a priority to point this out to NFL scouts when they ask about Harvey. "They put 40,000 miles on their car in a year and a half, and that just tells you the commitment level and the kind of family he's from," Meyer said at Florida's Pro Day last month. "When you start investing in your employees, that's very important." After capping his sophomore season with a defensive MVP performance in the national title game - three sacks and one fumble recovery - Harvey could have followed 17 of his teammates to the NFL draft. Instead, he decided to work on his fundamentals, strength and size for another year. At 6-4 and 271 pounds, he impressed at the NFL Combine by clocking 4.85 seconds in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressing 225 pounds 31 times. He has spent the past few weeks visiting different franchises. Houchens said Harvey has liked the Bucs, Jets and Lions, though he would be happy to go to work anywhere. "I'm hearing top 15," Harvey said at Pro Day. "But I'm just trying to get picked up." - Jenna Marina, Tampa Tribune |
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| 04/23/08 - He did nothing but improve his stock at the NFL combine in February, running a 4.84-second 40-yard dash (and dipping below 4.7 on other occasions) and bench-pressing 225 pounds 31 times. Florida's varied defensive looks should help Harvey's adjustment to the NFL. "We ran five zone defenses, so the (defensive) end had to drop (into coverage) a lot," Harvey said at the combine. "I dropped every game. I like my hand down rushing the passer, but I can work to do anything and adapt to it." Harvey has worked nonstop since the end of the season to prepare for this move. He has added muscle, moving up from his collegiate playing weight of about 260. Florida helped prepare him for the NFL, he said. "It was like an NFL setting already," he said. "I'll just transfer it over to my new team." Harvey knows, though, that the transition won't be easy. "The first day I come into minicamp, I'm going to work hard, get my (defensive) line coach and start working like I did in college and try to be a great player," he said. Harvey also considers himself a good fit in a 4-3 defense, which the Panthers run, and he apparently brings no character issues with him. "I like to watch movies," he said. "I'm just a laid-back dude." One NFL scout said Harvey needs to get stronger, particularly in his lower body, but said that was something that will come with maturation and weight lifting. "If he's there when the Panthers pick," the scout said, "they're going to have a hard time not grabbing him." Because more than anything, Carolina needs some of that chaos. - Stan Olson, Charlotte Observer |
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| 04/16/08 - 04/16/08 - Draft Scout Fallers: After a spectacular Pro Day workout last month, Harvey's stock leapt up the board as several teams in the top 15 began to heavily consider the 6-5, 271-pound former Gator as a potential rush linebacker in the 3-4 alignment. As teams review his film, however, they are beginning to question whether Harvey has the instincts for the transition. While his rare burst upfield puts Harvey among the draft's highest-rated pass rushers, he's best served in remaining as a 4-3 defensive end, forcing several teams at the top of the draft to likely look elsewhere. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com |
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| 04/16/08 - Florida Gators defensive end Derrick Harvey is the Detroit Lions' top priority, heading into the NFL Draft next week, said Tom Kowalski, but the question is whether Harvey will last until their 15th pick. Regardless, the team is going to have to find players who can start or contribute significantly with their first three picks. And that narrows the list of positions to defensive end, middle linebacker, offensive tackle and running back. "I think one of the wild cards in this thing is going to be Jonathan Stewart, the running back from Oregon," Killer said while filling in for Jamie Samuelsen on WDFN-AM (1130). "I don't know if anyone really knows – and I don't know; I confess – I don't know what the Lions think of Jonathan Stewart right now. I know at one time they had him rated higher than Rashard Mendenhall, and a lot of people had the Lions taking Mendenhall. If Stewart and Mendenhall are there, Stewart, they think, is the better running back." - Philip Zaroo, MLive.com |
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| 04/11/08 - The 49ers have lined up several pre-draft visits with prospects, including five players who could conceivably go to the club in the first or second round. The 49ers plan to meet individually with defensive ends Derrick Harvey (Florida) and Phillip Merling (Clemson), as well as receivers DeSean Jackson (Cal) and Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma), and outside linebacker Quentin Groves (Auburn). Others reportedly set to meet with the 49ers are cornerback Dwight Lowery (San Jose State), quarterback Dennis Dixon (Oregon), receiver Cam Colvin (Oregon), linebacker Shane Simmons (Western Washington) and center Ryan Wendell (Fresno State). |
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Last Login: Today @ 12:03 PM
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| Quentin Groves was the Jags Rd 2 pick:Name: Quentin Groves (+) Coming off foot injury
College: Auburn Number: 54
Height: 6-3 Weight: 259
Position: OLB Pos2: DE
Class/Draft Year: rSr/2008
40 Time: 4.53 40 Low: 4.46 40 High: 4.62
Projected Round: 1-2 Stock: High: Mid 1 Low: Early 2
Rated number 2 out of 232 OLB's 29 / 2546 TOTAL |
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Combine Results | Pro Day Results | Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 6030
Weight: 259
40 Yrd Dash: 4.53
20 Yrd Dash: 2.62
10 Yrd Dash: 1.57 | 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 30
Vertical Jump: 29 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'00"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.42
3-Cone Drill: 7.31
| Dates: 03/10/08
Height: 6030
Weight: 259
40 Yrd Dash:
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash: | 225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:
| | Before Combine: Hgt: 6031, Wgt: 250, 40YD: 4.40-4.46-4.56 |
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Draft Scout Snapshot: DS Rating on 08/12/07: #1 OLB, #5/750 Overall, Projected: Rnd 1
2008 Postseason update (04/04/08): Stock: Up. Did not participate in the Senior Bowl, but running a 4.53 40 at 259 pounds at the Combine secured his first round status. The 30 reps, 10'0" broad and 4.42 short shuttle weren't bad, either. Like most other players, he improved his vertical at his pro day: 35".
2007: Recorded 38 tackles (23 solos) with three sacks for minus 25 yards, seven stops for losses of 34 yards and led the league with 23 quarterback pressures… Also caused two fumbles…Part of a team that ranked sixth in the nation in total defense (297.92 ypg), scoring defense (16.92 ppg) and pass defense (173.23 ypg)…Answered his ability to play vs. the run, as the opposition gained only 59 yards on 35 plays he made vs. the oppositions' ground attack (1.69 yards per carry)…Registered 28 third-down stops, including 20 on the 28 pass plays he was involved in…Delivered thirteen of his tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal-line plays… In addition to his seven stops behind the line of scrimmage, he stopped ball carriers for no gain on eight other rushing attempts. 13 GP; 13 GS; 35 TT, 11 TFL, 9.5 SK, 7 QBH, 3 FF; Coaches All-SEC First Team … AP All-SEC First Team in '06. 12 GP; 3 GS; 21 TT, 8 TFL, 6 SK, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FF; Coaches' Preseason All-SEC Third-Team in '05. 13 GP; 0 GS; 23 TT, 10 TFL, 7.5 SK, 4 QBH, 2 FF in '04. Redshirted in '03. |
An athlete blessed with incredible quickness coming off the edge, dislocated toes did what no other offensive lineman could do in 2007 - stop Quentin Groves. Those who witnessed his performance in the South Florida game last year realize that this is a player that needs to be unleashed on the football field to get maximum production from his tremendous athletic ability.
Drawing comparisons to Dallas' DeMarcus Ware, Groves will probably shift to outside linebacker in the professional ranks. He received a crash course at that position late in his senior campaign and even earned a start at left outside linebacker in the Tennessee Tech game. With his tall, muscular physique, excellent speed, outstanding change of direction agility and superb body control as a pass rusher, NFL quarterbacks will soon have to contend with one of the most disruptive backfield penetrators in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Groves is an affable sort, frequently smiling and cracking jokes. But the Auburn defensive end does have one group of guys he just doesn't care for: quarterbacks. "I just really don't have a liking for them," Groves said. "You can't hit them in practice. You have to stay off them. They don't do too much running. "I don't like quarterbacks, period. I don't know why."
Luckily for him, his primary job for the Tigers the past four seasons has been to harass and hit opposing quarterbacks. And that's something he has done well enough to earn All-American and All-Southeastern Conference honors as he went on to tie Auburn's 22-year-old career record of 26 sacks held by Gerald Robinson.
At Greenville-Weston High School, Groves earned USA Today All-USA second-team, Prep Star and Super Prep All-Region, Orlando Sentinel Super Southern 100, Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen and that newspaper's All-State honors as a senior. He was also rated the third-best defensive end in the country by Prep Football Report and ESPN.com.
Groves started all four seasons with the varsity and finished his senior season with 86 tackles, 22 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He also played tight end and caught three passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, he posted 89 tackles, 15 sacks, one interception and forced seven fumbles. He also lettered in basketball, competed in the discus and long jump in track and was a member of the power lifting team.
Groves enrolled at Auburn in 2003, seeing brief action in the season opener vs. Southern California and vs. Western Kentucky before he was redshirted. He finished that year with three tackles (2 assists). The following season, Groves earned Freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News, Rivals.com and the Football Writers Association.
Despite sharing left defensive end duties with Doug Langenfeld and Stanley McClover, Groves led the team with 7.5 sacks and 10 stops for losses as a reserve left defensive end. He posted 23 tackles (19 solos) in 13 games, adding four quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles. What made those figures even more impressive was the fact that he was nursing a right high ankle sprain that he suffered in fall camp. His performance earned him team Most Improved Defensive Lineman honors.
In 2005, Groves started three of 12 games at right defensive end, picking up third-team All-Southeastern Conference accolades. He registered 21 tackles (8 solos), ranking third on the team with six sacks and fourth with eight stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused a fumble, deflected a pass and returned a kickoff 13 yards.
The 2006 off-season was one that Groves would just as soon forget. He was placed on probation after he was in a car accident with no auto insurance and a suspended license. He was also arrested after police responded to a domestic dispute call. Back on the football field, he started all 13 games at right defensive end, picking up All-American third-team and All-SEC first-team honors.
As a junior, Groves led the Tigers with 9.5 sacks and ranked second on the squad with 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He totaled 35 tackles (24 solos) with seven quarterback pressures and also caused three fumbles.
Groves, who is married and has already graduated, opted to return for his senior season after being projected as a likely middle-round pick in the NFL Draft. The chance to move up in the draft and land a big contract had plenty to do with the decision. There were other motivations, too. "It was a money thing, and I wanted to win a championship with my teammates," Groves said. "I felt like if I came back here, we had a good chance to go to Atlanta and compete for an SEC title."
Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Hendricks Award preseason watch lists, Groves was having a banner 2007 campaign until he suffered dislocated toes on his right foot in the season's fifth game vs. Florida. The injury cost him two games of action and when he returned, he was used mostly in a reserve role before starting at left outside linebacker vs. Tennessee Tech after playing left defensive end in the Tigers' first five contests. He also closed out his career by starting vs. Clemson in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl at left end.
In 11 games in 2007, Groves registered 38 tackles (23 solos). He had three sacks, seven stops for losses and led the Southeastern Conference with a career-high 23 quarterback pressures. He also caused a pair of fumbles, including one that a teammate returned for a touchdown.
In 51 games at Auburn, Groves started 23 contests (16 at right end, six at left end and one at left outside linebacker). He registered 120 tackles (75 solos), tied the school career-record with 26 sacks for minus-169 yards and had 36 stops for losses of 194 yards. He was credited with 38 quarterback pressures, caused eight fumbles and deflected one pass.
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Positives: Has a lean, yet athletic frame with a V-shaped torso, tight abdomen, good muscle tone, thick thighs and calves and a very long arm reach to keep blockers off his body or extend for the thrown ball outside his frame...Relentless pass rusher who compensates for a lack of size and bulk with tremendous suddenness coming off the snap...Shows the lateral range and change of direction agility needed to quickly adapt to playing linebacker at the next level...Closes with a sharp burst and has good angle concept slashing into the backfield through inside gaps...Shows very good balance and body control on the pass rush and shows proper knee bend to consistently turn the corner...Has outstanding foot quickness and stays low in his pads to easily avoid the slower blockers...Shows good alertness on the field, diagnosing the play quickly, showing urgency closing on the ball...Shows very good flexibility moving down the line and likes to get involved in downfield action...Plays with leverage, doing a very good job of extending his long arms...Plays with nice effort and toughness (will wear down later in games due to constantly battling with blockers much bigger than him at the X's and is better served playing off the line)...Self-starter who is a hard worker in the training room and has become a respected and vocal leader in the locker room...Shows outstanding suddenness and acceleration off the snap and to shoot gaps and disrupt the backfield...Displays good field awareness to diagnose plays and quickly track the ball...With his explosive take-off quickness, he has had good success beating offensive tackles upfield, as he is quick to turn over and reach his top speed...When he stays low in his pads and explodes off the snap, he surprises the blocker time after time...Has good ball location instincts and is quick to diagnose the plays, playing with high energy to close on the ball...Has the flexibility to play with leverage and even though he struggles at the point to split double teams, he is best when tracking the ball on the move...When a blocker tries to reach him, he can generate a strong hand punch and is quick to reset and separate from blockers (needs to keep his man's mitts off his jersey, though)...Has the lateral range to slide and avoid in-line trouble (struggles to take on and shed, however)...Needs to be more consistent using his lateral moves, but he is able to get down the line of scrimmage and close suddenly from the back side...Moves well to contain the toss sweep and is very quick to counter and change direction...Explosive wrap-up tackler who delivers pop on contact, doing a nice job of attacking the runner's outside leg to impede the ballcarrier's forward progress...Fun to watch making tackles in the open field, as he willingly hurls his body at the opponent...Has the athletic agility to adjust and finish on his own in space...Consistently turns the corner, flashing the burst and explosiveness needed to close on the quarterback...His knee bend flexibility lets him make the turn, redirect and dip back under when he slips past the offensive tackle...Has the ability to consistently pressure the pocket and uses his hands well to gain position...Even though he can be controlled by offensive linemen when he's reached, he is active with his hands, showing an explosive pop to separate and shed...Has a very impressive wing span and uses it well to yank smaller blockers and ball carriers to the ground...Active with his hands, especially when trying to rip and pull...Has the short area balance to turn the corner and chase down the play on the move...With his great forward burst, he closes in a flash, wrapping and exploding into the quarterback.
Negatives: Has very good muscle tone, but is a bit thin-looking across the chest...Does not have the strength needed to battle constantly with an offensive lineman at the X's, but compensates with good hand usage and a sudden burst to escape block pressure...Has had three minor off-field issues that need further clarification...Plays with a high motor, but will sometimes throttle down when not involved in the play (intensity can wane)...Very slippery getting into the backfield, but can be neutralized by the linemen once they get their hands on him (lacks size and bulk to over-power bigger people)...Very inefficient when trying to split double teams, as he will generally get washed out vs. combo blocks...Best making plays on the move, as his anchor is not strong to maintain at the point of attack...Has a punishing hand jolt to shock a blocker, but needs to use it with more consistency...Gets a bit reckless in his pursuit, and while he has great timed speed he will gather some when trying to redirect (needs to be more selective in choosing his spots moving up field)...Relies a lot on his suddenness to pressure the pocket and while he takes good angles to the ball and has a nifty spin move, he could use some more moves in his charge into the backfield...Has the loose hips and smooth backpedal, along with the speed to mirror the receiver through the route, but can be fooled by pump fakes and play action (still developing a linebacker's mentality and must be more alert to the ball in flight)...Played linebacker vs. Tennessee Tech, Georgia and Alabama at the end of 2007 season, but struggled with the new rush and pass concepts (needs to convince scouts he can adapt to his new role as a hybrid OLB/DE).
Compares To: DeMARCUS WARE-Dallas...Much like the Chargers' Shawne Merriman and Ware, Groves has that explosive quickness and outstanding suddenness to wreak havoc in the backfield. He is a perfect fit for a hybrid outside linebacker/rush end position in a
3-4 defensive scheme and like Merriman and Ware, he could thrive if allowed to play in a stand-up position. He was having a banner senior campaign before dislocating several toes, but with his balance and body control, along with lateral movement, he should have no problems adjusting to playing off the line. With so much emphasis on pressuring the pocket and getting to the quarterback in the NFL, there is no other player in this draft that can match Groves' pass rushing ability.
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Groves' 26 sacks tied the school career-record that was first set by Gerald Robinson (1982-85)...He is just the fourth player in Auburn history to record 20 or more sacks in a career, joining Robinson, Tracy Rocker (21, 1985-88) and Craig Ogletree (211, 1986-89)...Posted 9.5 sacks in 2006, the sixth-best season total in school history, topped only by Gary Walker (11 in 1994), Kevin Greene (11 in 1984), Olgetree (11 in 1989), Robinson (10 in 1985) and Mike Pelton (10 in 1994)...His 10 quarterback pressures vs. South Florida in 2007 set school and Southeastern Conference game-records...His four sacks vs. Kentucky in 2004 tied the school game-record that was first set by Ron Stallworth (vs. Alabama, 1988) and matched by Tim Cromartie (vs. Mississippi, 1992)...Groves ranks second among active NCAA players in career sacks with 26, despite missing two games this season with an injury.
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All-American Dream Team selection by The NFL Draft Report, despite being bothered the second half of the season with dislocated toes on his right foot suffered in the Florida clash...Sat out the Vanderbilt and Arkansas games while recovering, but started just two of the six games he appeared in upon his return...Started the team's first five contests and the Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Clemson at left defensive end and vs. Tennessee Tech at left out-side linebacker...Named to the preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Hendricks Award...Also named one of the 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) Sportsmanship Award, which is given annually to one outstanding NCAA Division I football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship...Recorded 38 tackles (23 solos) with three sacks for minus 25 yards, seven stops for losses of 34 yards and led the league with 23 quarterback pressures... Also caused two fumbles...Part of a team that ranked sixth in the nation in total defense (297.92 ypg), scoring defense (16.92 ppg) and pass defense (173.23 ypg)...Answered his ability to play vs. the run, as the opposition gained only 59 yards on 35 plays he made vs. the oppositions' ground attack (1.69 yards per carry)...Registered 28 third-down stops, including 20 on the 28 pass plays he was involved in...Delivered thirteen of his tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal-line plays... In addition to his seven stops behind the line of scrimmage, he stopped ball carriers for no gain on eight other rushing attempts.
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All-American third-team selection by The NFL draft Report and Rivals.com, adding honorable mention from Sports Illustrated...All-Southeastern Conference first-team choice by The NFL Draft Report, the league's coaches and the Associated Press...Named Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Player of the Week vs. Florida...Started all thirteen games at right defensive end, recording 35 tackles (24 solos), as he led the team with 9.5 sacks for minus 62 yards...His 9.5 sacks rank tied with Reggie Torbor (2003) for sixth on the school's season-record list...Finished second on the squad with eleven stops for losses of 67 yards and also had seven quarterback pressures... Caused three fumbles and helped the Tigers rank seventh in the nation in scoring defense (13.92 ppg) and 19th in total defense (292.31 ypg).
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All-SEC third-team choice by the league's coaches...Named the team's Most Improved Defensive Lineman by the coaching staff...Played in all twelve games, starting vs. Ball State, Mississippi State and South Carolina at right defensive end...Recorded 21 tackles (8 solos) while ranking third on the team with six sacks for minus 45 yards and placing fourth on the squad with eight stops for losses of 52 yards...Had four pressures, a forced fumble and a pass break-up...Returned a kickoff 13 yards vs. Georgia Tech.
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Member of The Sporting News, Rivals.com and Football Writers Association Freshman All-American and All-SEC Freshman first-team...Played in all thirteen games as part of the Tigers' defensive end rotation...Recorded 23 tackles (19 solos) and tied for third in the SEC while tying for the team lead with 7.5 sacks for minus 37 yards and ten stops for losses of 41 yards...Added four pressures while causing two fumbles from the left defensive end position.
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