Lavonte David Scouting Report

Lavonte David

Position: Linebacker
School: Nebraska
Year: Senior
Height: 6'1
Weight: 225
Draft Stock: 2nd Round / #2 Outside Linebacker

Strengths
-Incredible Instincts. Always around the ball
-Has a knack for making big plays.
-Production. Set Nebraska's single season tackle record. Has made an impact from Day 1.
-Elite speed and quickness for a linebacker. Can go sideline to sideline.
-Sound tackler. Rarely misses a tackle. Does a good job of wrapping up defenders and taking them to the ground.
-Able to secure the tackle and strip the ball
-Good in run support. Doesn't take false steps
-Does a great job of shedding blocks
-Able to stick with tight ends running backs in man coverage due to good speed and quickness
-Does a great job of changing directions quickly and efficiently
-4 down linebacker
-Can make an impact in special teams on coverage units
-Loves the game. Loves to watch tape.
-Great motor. Never quits on plays

Weaknesses
-Size. Smaller for a linebacker. Can't keep on weight.
-Durable? No injury issues, but will his smaller size lead to more injuries in the NFL?
-Limited Position Flexibility. His only fit might be as a WLB in a 4-3.
-Footwork could get better

Summary
If Lavonte David was 6'3 250 we might be talking about him as a top 15 pick. But because he is 6'1 225 he's considered to be a Day 2 pick. David has been an impact player for Nebraska since day 1. He set the single season tackle record as a junior and as a senior he made plays that directly lead to wins. Against Ohio State he flat out took the ball away from QB Braxton Miller that swung the whole momentum. And against Penn State he stuffed a RB on fourth down which sealed a win. David has good speed and quickness but his best strength is his IQ. David is always in the right place at the right time and seems to be in on every tackle. This comes from his love for watching film and his eagerness to learn. Learning a playbook in the NFL should be no problem for him. The only real negative for David is his size. Because of his small stature he can run into trouble against bigger lineman when they lock onto him. This also means that he'll likely only fit with a 4-3 team as a Weakside Linebacker. If he was bigger he'd be an ideal MLB in any scheme. David will also add value on special teams coverage units because he is a good tackler and has good speed and quickness. Look for David to go somewhere in the 2nd round but could slide into the 3rd round because of his limited fit. Look for a team like Tampa Bay, Chicago, St. Louis, Minnesota, Cleveland, and Atlanta to really consider him.

Preseason All Big 10 Team

After doing both the Big 10 and Big 12 Predictions, I've decided to add my preseason all conference teams in with the predictions. So since this wasn't included in with the predictions....here is my Preseason All Big 10 Team.

Offense

QB: Dan Persa, Northwestern

RB: Edwin Baker, Michigan State

RB: Montee Ball, Wisconsin

TE: Kyler Reed, Nebraska

WR: Marvin McNutt, Iowa

WR: Roy Roundtree, Michigan

T: Riley Reiff, Iowa
G: Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin
C: Mike Brewster, Ohio State
G: Chris McDonald, Michigan State
T: Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin

Defense

DE: Vince Browne, Northwestern

DT: Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
DT: Jared Crick, Nebraska
DE: Nathan Williams, Ohio State
LB: Lavonte David, Nebraska
LB: Michael Mauti, Penn State
LB: Andrew Sweat, Ohio State
CB: Alphonzo Dennard, Nebraska
S: Aaron Henry, Wisconsin
S: Trenton Robinson, Michigan State
CB: Shawn Prater, Iowa

Specialists

K: Derek Dimke, Illinois
P: Brad Nortman, Wisconsin
KR/PR: Troy Stoudermire, Minnesota

Big 10 Predictions

I've been spending a lot of time lately on the NFL, but with College Football starting soon I'll be taking a look at how I believe each of the conferences will play out.

Today I'm looking into the Big 10 and how it will go with new member Nebraska joining the mix.

Legends

1. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 10-2 (6-2)

Nebraska has the best defense in the conference, but question marks about the offense and mainly their quarterback (Taylor Martinez) could see them struggle in their first year in conference.

2. Michigan State Spartans, 9-3 (5-3)

They return a lot of talent, especially on offense with Kirk Cousins and Edwin Baker who are both big time players. However the ball bounced their way a couple of times in close games and they could not get that same luck this season.

3. Iowa Hawkeyes, 9-3 (5-3)

Iowa lucks out that they don't have to play either Wisconsin or Ohio State this season, but they have to travel to Nebraska and always have trouble playing against Northwestern. Add in that they will be replacing 3 year starter in Ricky Stanzi and are very thin at running back.

4. Northwestern Wildcats, 8-4 (4-4)

Here is my sleeper. Pat Fitzgerrald is one heck of a coach and has the Wildcats on the move up. Look for them to catch a team or two looking past them. Add in that Dan Persa if healthy is one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.

5. Michigan Wolverines, 7-5 (4-4)

A lot of Michigan fans weren't too excited about Brady Hoke being named the head coach, but I feel they got the best person for the job. Harbaugh would have always have an eye towards the NFL while Hoke is there to stay. He has had success at Ball State and San Diego State where others have struggled. It may take a year but Michigan will be back.

6. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 4-8 (1-7)

Jerry Kill wasn't a sexy hire but he is a very good coach. However the Golden Gophers are no where near competitive this season and will struggle in the improved Big 10.

Leaders

1. Wisconsin Badgers, 12-1 (7-1)

The Badgers were one of the favorites going into this season, but then they added Russell Wilson from NC State and Ohio State lost Terrelle Pryor and four more key players. I look for Wisconsin to roll through the Big 10 and either go undefeated or have a slip up. Wilson will give them a playmaker at QB that they haven't had in a long time.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes, 9-3 (6-2)

Even though Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressell are gone and they don't have four other key players for the first five games of the year, they still have a ton of talent and are going to win a lot of games. The key is the quarterback play. If Bauserman or Braxton Miller don't lose games the Buckeyes can rely on their defense and running game which is still very good.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions, 8-4 (5-3)

Quarterback play is really going to tell a lot about how he Nittany Lions do this season. Robert Bolden was thought to be the man, but he struggled and butted heads with the coaching staff. In their bowl game Matt McGloin played pretty well. If McGloin can build off of that game they could have a good season. But its like they could repeat last year.

4. Illinois Fighting Illini, 7-5 (4-4)

Nobody really expected much from Illinois last year but they got to a bowl game and routed a Baylor team that many thought would roll Illinois. Nate Scheelhaase has turned out to be a great quarterback and will give the Illini a fighting chance in every game.

5. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-8 (1-7)

I really like the hire of Kevin Wilson to Indiana. Wilson's offenses at Oklahoma were always at the top of the NCAA rankings. However its almost impossible to get talent into Indiana for football and Wilson might find it harder to run his uptempo attack.

6. Purdue Boilermakers, 4-8 (1-7)

Purdue is just a mess. They don't have any real talent or difference makers. This is sad because under Joe Tiller they were always a competitive team that produced a ton of NFL talent. Look for a coaching change at the end of this season.

Offensive Player of the Year: Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin

Defensive Player of the Year: Lavonte David LB Nebraska

Freshman of the Year: Jamal Turner WR Nebraka

Coach of the Year: Brent Bielema, Wisconsin