2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Ikenna Enechukwu, Edge, Rice

Ikenna Enechukwu is the star edge rusher at Rice University. With his quickness and length, he's one to keep an eye on this season. This NFL Draft Report was written by Hula Bowl scout Matthew Swanson. — Ikenna Enechukwu is the star edge rusher at Rice University. With his quickness and length, he’s one to keep an eye on this season. This NFL Draft Report was written by Hula Bowl scout Matthew Swanson.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Ikenna Enechukwu, #91
School (Code)	TXRI
DOB, Class Yr	1/24/2000, 5^th RS Jr.
Height, Weight	6025, 269 LBS
40 Yd Dash	4.80
Arms, Hands	N/A, N/A
Position/Depth	DT #1/DE #1
Honors/Captainship	C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)CoSIDA 2021 Academic All-District®Rice Honor Athlete (2021)All-Conference USA 2021 Phil Steele (fourth team) Coaches (honorable mention)
Season Viewed (yr)	2021, 2022
Games Watched	@TXUN (2021), KYWE (2021), @CASC (2022)
Scout Name / Date	Matthew Swanson / 09-04-2022

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	1 GP, 1 Total Tackles (1 SOLO and 0 AST), 1.0 TFL, 1.0 SACKS, 0 PD, 0 FR (Through week 1)
2021	12 GP, 49 Total Tackles (14 SOLO and 35 AST), 9.0 TFL, 4.5 SACKS, 0 PD, 0 FR
2020	4 GP, 10 Total Tackles (4 SOLO and 6 AST), 0.0 TFL, 0.0 SACKS, 0 PD, 0 FR
2019	9 GP, 27 Total Tackles (7 SOLO and 29 AST), 4.5 TFL, 1.5 SACKS, 0 PD, 0 FR

Player Summary:

Versatile, undersized DL aligns primarily at DT for TXRI in their 4-2-5 front and DE in their 5-2-4 front. Projects as a rotational EDGE at the next level in a 3-4 defense and can be utilized in unique packages. Based on OLB measurements at 6025 and 269 LBS possesses marginal length and height, with good weight, and a proportionately muscular, dense body. AA ability is solid, including good initial quickness, average play speed, ordinary COD, and marginal mid rush twitch. Initial get off is good. Gets off on the ball with good quickness and anticipation on immediate ball movement. Comes off initially with back flat, solid pad level, and extension from launch point. Below-average at sustaining pad level following contact. Against the run he is ordinary. Average strength in punch is used to create decent stalemate at LOS against individual OG blocks with moderate strength. As a pass rusher he is average. Primarily a speed rusher. Solid when attacking gaps using good quickness to shimmy and disrupt backfield. Does well utilizing rip to split OG and OT. Ability to bend the edge as an EDGE is marginal due to subpar flexibility and ability to flatten at top of rush. As a tackler, his pad level is average and does an ordinary job bringing RBs to the ground. Primarily does decent job cleaning up tackles on RBs. Marginal length and hand usage contributes to subpar ability to shed blocks against the run and get to the passer. Utilization of anchor in the run game against double teams and stretch zone is subpar due to average play strength, size, and rising, below average pad level. Ability to read flow of run is below average, as is ability to redirect after making a misread due to average COD. Overall, he’s a marginally sized, decent athlete, whose less than ideal hand usage and play recognition leads to a subpar ability to shed blocks and become a more consistent playmaker against the run and the pass game.

Scheme Fit:

Rotational EDGE in a 3-4 defense who can be utilized in numerous sub packages due to versatility of alignments in college. Can play special teams if needed.

Power Statement:

Marginally sized, average athlete who is ordinary as a speed rusher and run defender. Needs to improve utilization of hands and block shedding urgency to make more impact plays on the ball. With an additional year of eligibility left on the table, there’s certainly opportunity for growth, perhaps transferring to a bigger program could help Enechukwu get where he needs to be.