Scouting The Draft: Jerry Hughes, TCU, DE/OLB
by David_Wyatt on Feb 17, 2010 12:07 PM EST
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I don't think there has been a player, maybe besides Shipley that I have enjoyed watching more than Jerry Hughes, he is the very definition of explosive. I remember seeing him back in his Sophomore year in 2007 and not thinking much of him, but the improvements he has made over 2008/2009 have knocked him up into the late first rounds.
When looking into his background, nothing really cropped up, apart from awards, awards, and more awards, you will see them listed below. As only a two year starter for the Horned Frogs, his statistics really jump out at you, he is a play-maker plain and simple.
Unfortunately for everyone who was excited about seeing him go up against the best at the Senior Bowl, Hughes was unable to play saying:
I am disappointed I am not able to play in the Senior Bowl because of a quad injury I suffered during the Fiesta Bowl. I have been rehabbing it at API in Phoenix, but the doctors advised me not to play in the Senior Bowl.
Hughes a former high school running back was made to adapt to the defensive side of the ball once he got to TCU, and he believes that he can make similar adjustments to playing as a 3-4 OLB:
I've heard people say I'd be a good fit for the 3-4 (defense) at linebacker. I made changes during most of my college career, so I'm used to it. I've always been able to adjust and adapt to anything I put my mind to -- both in football and life.
Career Stats
2006- 10 games played, 3 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack,
2007- 13 games played, 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 INT
2008- 13 games played, 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions
2009- 13 games played, 58 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Career Awards & Achievements
2008 First Team All-MWC
2008- First Team All American
2008- MWC Defensive Player Of The Year
2009 First Team All-MWC
2009- MWC Defensive Player Of The Year
2009 First Team All American
2009- Lott Trophy Winner*
2009- Ted Hendricks Award Winner **
*- Lott Trophy is awarded to college football's defensive IMPACT player of the year: IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity.
**- Ted Hendricks award is given to the nations top defensive end.
More after the jump:
What does Jerry Hughes do well?
You won't find a move explosive player off the snap in this draft. He is lightning quick, and if the tackle is not equally as quick getting set, he will be in the QB's face immediately. Has a nose for the ball and sniffs out where it is going very quickly. Has an excellent motor and doesn't give up on any plays. Will pursue down the field on every single snap. His open field speed is great, and his closing speed is very impressive. At his best as a speed rusher coming off the edge, very agile, athletic. Shows great acceleration and nice length when making the tackle. Has good lateral movement and has the quickness to get to the sideline with the quicker players. Is a very aggressive player, doesn't have a whole host of moves but still finds himself in the backfield on a consistent basis. Intelligent player who keeps his nose clean and just does his job. As a speed rusher, have a feeling he would really enjoy playing for Rex Ryan who let's players play to their strengths and limits the weaknesses.
What does Jerry Hughes need to improve on?
His run defence is still a little below average for a player hoping to go in the first round, he will need to improve on that area of his game is he wants to be an every down player. Can sometimes be too aggressive, and his speed takes him beyond the play sometimes. Wouldn't hurt to develop more pass rushing skills to combat games where he will face quicker more agile tackles on the outside. Sometimes has an issue using his hands to get off blocks
Final Word
Jerry Hughes has that prototypical size/sped/length that you look for with your outside linebackers. With the players we have right now, we could afford to let him learn to play the run better while bringing him in for pass rushing situations. I like his hard work, and I love his motor, any player that pursues until the whistle gets an immediate tick in my mind. He looks like he loves the game, his work ethic in the film room as well as on the practise field bodes well for his ability to adapt and learn. A lot of people see him going in the 2nd round, but late first is my projection and I wouldn't be against us picking him up at 29. He works, he tackles, and he is lightning off the edge. Run D, can be learned.
Video Highlights
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Wow!!! I really like this guy.
He will be a really good pro. Would love if we took him at 29. He gets a great jump consistently, he’s freakishly athletic, makes a lot of plays, great motor and never goves up on a play (loved that strip in the clip), seems to be pretty heady and looked like he sniffed out draws and screen well. Wouldn’t mind Hughes and Pace as book ends at all. They would be pretty formidable actually. Especially with Rex’s blitzes mixed in.
Yes i think we need him this dude...
This Kid is very disruptive, Just what Rex needs to complete this puzzle, I say gamble trade up if possible. His disruptive-quickness on the outside is just what we need.
I like this kid
He would really complete what Rex calls the 3 1/2 – 3 1/2 scheme. Gholston clearly isn’t that player and I have a much better feeling about this guy. Not only that, he would only command a fraction of the money that Gholston did or Sapp would. Come to think of it Hughes has made me entirely sour at the prospect of drafting Sapp.
I’m torn between this guy or a really promising CB. I wouldn’t be disappointed with either.
DE or Cornerback for 1st pick
David,
As my comments I made on your Mock Draft (1.0 update) stated I believe it would be better for the Jets to pick a explosive edge rusher than a cornerback. Your posts seem to backup my opinion. Your post on keeping Lito Sheppard – He wasn’t that bad, his poor performances had more to do with the Jets having a poor pass rush. Jerry Hughes, everybody seems to agree, is explosive off the edge. Wouldn’t you love to see him rushing off the edge together with Jenkins collapsing the pocket on passing downs? Aren’t you ready to change your Mock Draft?
When the next one comes out then sure there will be some changes, but won’t be changing it every week. Planning on doing the next one at the start of March when all the combine work is done and can process it. I like the idea of Hughes but I also like the idea of picking up a young corner, and still immensely high on Shipley. So although it would likely change a little if I were to do it today, it wouldn’t completely change.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
lets think strategy here
I like Hughes too but lets think strategy here. Start with Gholson… I am not a big fan of VG but fair is fair…he was a DE he transitioned to LB not an easy task. With that said he can still be of value. We need depth at the DE position, that was clear when the ageing Ellis had to play with a cast. Let VG play DE both sides 2nd string. This will free up the #1 pick to address the most desperate team need.. NOT AN OLB. Even VG had better numbers than KRIS Jenkins who as much as I like him is A) Old and not getting any younger and B) injury prone C) can be traded to the RAMS (or another bottom team) for a #3 draft pick. Trade back up QB KC for a #4 draft pick and LCB Litto Shepard for yet another #4 or possibly late #3 draft pick. With the abundence of extra late picks we should be able to ADDRESS THE TEAMS #1 NEED a dominate DT/NT to improve our pass rush. (the only real weakness on an otherwise outstanding defense). If we bundle the picks we may be able to address the other issue of complement to ALL WORLD best corner Revis. An additional high impact OLB would be nice but the line is in most need of an upgrade. We need a DT/NT more than anything else. ***but here is a bonus tip. If you want a DE draft a DE if you want a OLB draft an OLB please please do not draft one and try and convert him to the other. we can not afford to end up with a failed experement lik VG again…because as much as i am not a fan when it comes to VG fair is fair lets use him correctly and get some depth at the DE positions so we can save the draft pick for what we NEED. GO JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too many trades for low picks while creating too many holes, although it’s nice in theory to think we will come out of this draft with a stud on the defensive line, a OLB and a CB, in reality that rarely happens. Jenkins is getting older but he is still just 30, he is a little injury proned, but no way do I consider trading him. We can’t continue to create holes that we hope to fill in the 3rd/4th round. A lot of these guys coming in won’t be good straight off the bat, they will need a year of solid coaching. It makes more sense to keep a rotation of Jenkins and Pouha to me. Not sure what we are doing with Lito either, nobody is giving up anything for him with that roster bonus so either we cut him, sign him back and trade him, or we don’t trade him at all and he walks away fro free. Lito is a lot better than people give him credit for, again this is just creating holes unnecessarily. Like for people who want to trade Rhodes for a low pick, creating a big hole. Most important thing this off-season is to sign the players we need back up then take on the draft. Only thing I really agree with there is trying to trade KC for a pick, important word trying.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Hey David
You sound really high on this guy but you didn’t even put him in your top 5… sup with that lol
To be honest, from what I’ve heard and seen, if he is available at 29 for us (assuming we haven’t traded down or up which is probably really unlikely) I’d be like WHAT ARE YOU DOING JETS PICK HIM WTF COME ON
That’s actually a mistake, I copy and paste the bottom bit from the previous scout reports, and forgot to change it, on the next one he will be on it. Getting hard to leave people out now, but with many thinking Shipley will go in the 2nd, I might have to take him off the first round preference list.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
by David_Wyatt on Feb 18, 2010 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
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