NFL Draft: Worthy likely to be first Spartan picked
When Jerel Worthy made the early jump to the NFL, it wasn't much of a surprise -- he made a living at Michigan State of very good at timing the snap, sometimes jumping early.
Jerel Worthy is a lock to be among the top picks in the NFL Draft this week.
But when it came to the NFL, he left at the perfect time. Worthy is all but a lock to be picked early in the upcoming draft.
NFL Network's Mike Mayock said Worthy's tape showcases his skill set, and makes him a high draft pick.
"The first tapes I watched, Iowa and Wisconsin (were against) excellent offensive lines, and he was dominant in both those games. If I have to take a mid-first round pick on a defensive tackle, this is my guy and I look no farther than the Wisconsin tape. (He has) great explosiveness, gets in the backfield, bull rushes and pushes the pocket."
At the NFL Combine, Worthy kept his stock steady, but drew praise for his skill set -- yet again.
"The guy has got size, he has got strength, he has got got quickness and he has got some pass rush ability," NFL Network's Charley Casserly said on a recap show. "He can play the one-gap he can play a two-gap, but he doesn't do it all the time, he is more of a flash player. Positive for him: he lost some weight coming in here."
ESPN's Todd McShay added that Worthy flashes on tape as much as anyone on the defensive line.
Worthy's opponents had similar praises for him, as "several offensive line (here in Indianapolis) raving about Michigan State's Jerel Worthy as toughest DT they faced," according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
**More after the jump**
Worthy said he had an official visit with the Carolina Panthers on NFL Network's Path to the Draft. He also had scheduled visits to St. Louis, while he was in contact with the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans.
As for where that place might be, Worthy said he had an official visit to Carolina since the NFL Combine.
He said he has visits scheduled to St. Louis, and had been in contact with Philadelphia, Denver and Houston.
Here is some insight into the former MSU defensive tackle heading into the NFL Draft on April 26-28:
Strengths: An incredible disruptive force who generally does a good job of getting a good jump on the snap. Good in stopping the run game, and putting constant pressure on the quarterback.
Weaknesses: Sometimes moves "too quickly" before the snap and jumps offsides. The knock has, and will be, that he seems to take plays off.
Best Fit: A 4-3 defensive tackle. Line him up in the middle, and let him do his thing.
Here is a career highlight tape put together by an MSU grad. Check out his YouTube channel and all his videos.
