Jeff Luc - ILB - Cincinnati

This is a guy that hasn't gotten a ton of attention, but I think he's going to come off the board much sooner than most think. Wasn't invited to the combine, and didn't live up to his hype coming out of high school... but he is an absolute thoroughbred. With the right coaching, and supporting cast, I think he could be the steal of the draft. What do you guys think?






STRENGTHS: Built like a Sherman tank with a compact, heavily-muscled frame that stood out even amongst the best-built players at the Senior Bowl. Quick to read run, attacking would-be blockers with a physical pop to disengage and make plays in the hole. Physical enough to potentially play inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Possesses 32" arms, which help him keep blockers from latching onto him. Shows some lateral quickness and flexibility to slip by blockers, surprising opponents gearing up for collisions. Has a short area burst to close, exploding into ball-carriers with enough force to knock the ball free (six forced fumbles in 2014) and shows excellent strength and hand-eye coordination to rip the ball free. Improved awareness in coverage in 2014. Took his game to another level as a senior, providing evidence that his best football may still be ahead of him.

WEAKNESSES: Strictly a two-down run-stuffer at the next level. Possesses less-than-ideal fluidity and straight-line speed for coverage responsibilities, perhaps in part because of his muscle-bound frame, which leaves him a stiff and lacking change of direction skills. Lacks the preferred speed to the perimeter and is too often beaten to the edge by backs. Only one season of impressive production at the collegiate level.

PLAYER OVERVIEW: Graded by recruiting experts as the top inside linebacker prospect in 2010, Luc (pronounced LUKE) was recruited by virtually every school in the country, ultimately signing with Florida State. Luc saw action in eight games as a true freshman but felt that he wasn't getting enough of an opportunity for extended playing time after his sophomore season and ultimately transferred to Cincinnati, leaving the Seminoles with 23 tackles, including three tackles for loss in 19 career games. After sitting out the mandatory transfer year in 2012, Luc initially struggled to make a significant impact with the Bearcats, recording "just" 43 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss while playing in all 13 games. The light went on for Luc a year later, however, as he exploded for 134 stops, including 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks to cap his collegiate career, earning an invitation to the 2015 Senior Bowl.

Sporting a heavily-muscled frame, Luc might be the most imposing inside linebacker in the country. His powerful build and aggressive nature make him an ideal run-stuffing presence in the middle. Scouts worry that Luc lacks the lateral agility and speed, however, to handle coverage duties, making him strictly a two-down defender in the NFL and a likely Day Three selection.