NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Alden Mann, OLB, Wayland Baptist

Alden Mann, OLB, Wayland Baptist (NAIA)

• Height: 5’10”
  
• Weight: 200 lbs.
  
• Graduation Year: 2017 
  
• 2015 Stats: 124 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles (1st Team AFCA All American) 
  

Strengths:

1) High motor

2) Has a nose for the football

3) Can shed blockers well

Weaknesses:

1) Undersized OLB

2) Plays too high when taking on blockers & ball carriers head on

3) Pursuit angles can be improved slightly

Check Out his highlights here:

Alden Mann is an outside linebacker who’s very productive despite playing a small schedule size (9 games). He’s undersized as an outside linebacker at 5’10” 200 lbs., but shows the abilities that coaches like in a linebacker. With a high motor, he can pursue & find the ball, and shed blockers while getting to the ball. Mann can break on the ball, and make plays while keeping his eyes on the QB in zone coverage.

Mann needs to play with a lower center of gravity when engaged with a blocker or ball carrier, especially when one or the other are much larger in size. He also needs to take better pursuit angles to the ball to lower the chances of over pursuing. 

In 9 games in 2015, Mann racked up 124 tackles, 19 TFL, and 2 FF to go along with 2 INTs. If he can put on more size, and be as productive as he was in 2015, then he will be considered as a small school gem with NFL abilities. As the 2016 college football season begins, I would have a 7th round to undrafted grade on him.

This piece was written by Brandon Davis. Brandon is a future NFL scout, make sure you follow him on Twitter!