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Akial Byers NFL Draft Profile
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Akial Byers Scouting ReportByers puts fear into quarterbacks and ballcarriers when they feel his strength when he plants them in the backfield. He has a tall, solid frame with adequate length and has done a nice job losing the bad weight and firming his body. He provides some secondary interior pass rush, getting most penetration when playing three technique. Akial penetrates through gaps, often forcing running backs to elude him or the back end of the offensive lineman he's pushing before they even reach the line. He rarely goes to the ground, showing good balance from his high school wrestling days.
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Areas for ImprovementByers has average athletically with average straight line speed and tight hips. Not a natural bender. Lacks secondary pass-rush moves. Isn't able to consistently shed blocks and makes plays in the hole. He needs to keep his pad level low; pops upright and plays too tall, struggling to maintain leverage off the snap. Akial is inconsistent in his ability to separate from blocks, however, making him more of a nuisance than a snap-to-snap terror. He sees the ball well but is stuck on blocks when head-up; does not shed to make plays often enough.
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Akial Byers Career at SchoolAkial Byers led Fayetteville High School to state championships in both 2015 and 2016. He selected to play in the prestigious Under Armour All-American Game following his prep career. He 24/7 Sports ranked him as a four-star prospect, and among the top-300 prep players in the nation at any position, and as the nation’s 17th-ranked prep defensive tackle. He Rivals ranked him as the No. 2 overall prospect coming out of the state of Arkansas at any position. As a sophomore saw action in all 13 games, starting the final six contests. He finished with 20 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, a team-high two fumble recoveries and two quarterback pressures. In 2019, he played in all 12 games in the defensive line rotation … made 18 tackles on the season (nine solo) with 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack … added three QB pressures, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble In the Covid-19 season, he played in nine games with four starts and registered 15 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one PBU and one QBH. He took advantage of an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic and returned for a 5th year. He graduated in Decemeber of 2020. He registered 21 tackles along with 1.5 sacks on the season.
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Akial Byers NFL Draft Player ProfileByers is a guy that was able to get playing time right off the bat. He played seven games his freshman year but really hasn't become that full-time starter. Byers started the last half of his sophomore season but was off and on the rest of the way. Byers’ game, he is a physical player, won't take off any plays and is up for the challenge to take on the bigger and more physical offensive linemen. Byers has quick hands to shed off blocks and is effective when it comes to shedding double teams. He has played all over the Missouri defensive line, giving him some versatility.
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