Ranking the Top 15 Edge Rusher Prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft

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12. Zack Hodges, 6’2, 250, Harvard

Hodges is the best small-school edge rusher prospect in this draft, and coming from the most prestigious academic institution in the country should make him even more attractive to teams (unless, of course, they hold the belief that coming from an elite academic university inherently means that he’ll be soft and non-competitive, one that should be quashed by watching his tape).

He’s a bit undersized and gained 15 pounds over his listed college weight of 235 in advance of the combine. If he can maintain a weight around 250, he should be fine as a 3-4 outside linebacker, though an inability to do that may result in him having to play inside in a 3-4 or as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 down the line.

Hodges is a very good athlete who moves around the field well, does a solid job of dropping back into coverage, and displays strong tackling ability when pressed into action as a run defender. He’s quick off the edge and is exceptionally disciplined, as he’s almost always in the correct position and has well-developed pass-rushing technique.

As a pro, his on-field development checklist should include taking more efficient paths into the backfield and becoming more assertive in the run game.

You can read my complete scouting report on Hodges HERE.

Next: 11. Hau'oli Kikaha