Defense: DT NT DE Hybrid DE/OLB OLB ILB FS SS CB
Special Teams: K P RS LS
Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was coveted nearly as much for his hockey skills as for his football ability coming out of high school. Had he not been so highly-touted for his gridiron success -- as a high school senior, he was selected as Defensive Mr. Football in Minnesota and led Wayzata High School to the state championship game -- he most likely would have been an early-round selection in the NHL Draft.
Laurinaitis has good size at 6-3 and about 240 pounds. He possesses sideline-to-sideline speed with great instincts and always seems to be around the ball. He has tremendous closing speed and is a solid tackler who wraps up very well. He needs to work on getting off blocks, however.
His biggest asset is probably his ability in pass coverage. He does a great job of dropping into coverage and reading the quarterback. Always seems to put himself in position to make a play.
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