Position:
Outside Linebacker
School: Florida State
Status: Senior
Height:
6-2
Weight:
225
40-Yard Dash:
4.55
positives:
Michael Boulware is an every-down linebacker who is strong, fast, and very agile. He is a remarkable athlete. He is great at chasing a play down from behind, he takes great angles in pursuit, and shows tremendous closing speed.
He's very quick in recognition and reaction to plays. He plays agressively in both run and pass defense. He is tremendous in pass coverage for a linebacker... has extremely fluid hip movement. He also possesses good ball skills, and matches up well with most tight ends and running backs.
Negatives:
He is a little small for a weak-side linebacker, but I don't think he's fast enough to play safety in the NFL. He needs to bulk up somewhat... also needs to work on tackling skills. He doesn't miss a lot of tackles, but he tends to drape himself on ball carriers to bring them down instead of delivering a blow and driving through the man.
He also has a tough time getting off blocks and struggles to hold the point of attack on running plays. Once an offensive lineman gets ahold of him, he usually doesn't get away. Needs to learn to use his hands better.
Projection: If Boulware can add some bulk, and prove he can hold up against the run, he has a chance to be a playmaker at the next level. He is one of the top-five linebackers in the country, and most likely, he will be picked in the second round. I would expect him to play the weak side in the NFL.