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Arnold Ebiketie NFL Draft Profile
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Arnold Ebiketie Scouting ReportArnold has a burly, high hipped frame. He possesses elite proportional length, with arms that will likely measure over 34 inches long. In that frame, he stores ample power and his length also provides an excellent conduit for speed to power moves and he can use his length with strength to pry open lanes. He has many impressive traits as well. He is fairly explosive and his first step might not be elite but he has good enough get off to create some displacement off the snap. He also has good long track explosiveness and lateral agility where he can go inside to outside and manipulate attack angles. He can transition from attacking vertically to attacking laterally in a very short span. Ebiketie is a surprisingly twitched up pass rusher. He can generate quick momentum at a moment's notice and with his twitch, he can coax tackles into over setting. Once he has separation on the edge, Ebiketie can cover a lot of ground with his long, energetic strides. He also has good closing speed, lateral mobility, and range in pursuit. Moreover, his length helps him envelop ball carriers. Arnold clearly boasts a great deal of physical upside — but even more exciting is the operational ability that he’s flashed time and time again this year. A big reason for Ebiketie’s production is his mix of physical and operational traits, and it starts with his multitasking ability. He has shown he can multitask while bending and accelerating around the edge — one of the most important traits for edge rushers. With his twitch, he sets up leverage well, and he can establish a strong anchor while leaning and searing around the corner. Arnold displays the capacity for heavy, violent hand usage. He has a powerful bull rush, as well as moves like cross-chops in his arsenal. Additionally, he’s shown he can stack counters like chop-and-rip moves and build on his initial push. Ebiketie can supplement violent extensions with prying hand moves. He’s a relentless motor rusher who doesn’t let up on reps. He is one of the more proactive rushers on the draft circuit. He’s energetic but also calculated in how he impacts his blocker’s positioning. Among other things, the Nittany Lions’ star defender has the strong base and length necessary to set the edge in run defense. |
Areas for ImprovementArnold’s balance can be an issue at times. He sometimes loses his balance after unleashing his initial moves. He can also lose his balance when bending around the edge, inhibiting his ability to finish reps.He can play too high at times. This can impact his ability to attain superior leverage. He sometimes recoils a bit too much after his first move. He can be more controlled and coordinated at times. To that end, Ebiketie doesn’t always time his extensions properly. More precise timing can help him avoid sacrificing leverage to opposing blockers. On a related note, he can better work to reach proper depth before extending. He doesn’t always time his breaks inside effectively. Arnold can carry more force with his hands. He’s generally good here, but his hands don’t always strike cleanly. He can also overshoot attack angles when stunting inside. Finally, Ebiketie can sometimes be a bit late to flip his hips and set his base in run defense. |
Arnold Ebiketie Career at Penn StateThe leap from the AAC to the Big Ten might be daunting on the surface, but Ebiketie has taken it in stride. Not only has Ebiketie looked right at home, but he’s dominated week in and week out against some future NFL tackles. In 10 games, the Penn State DE has accumulated 53 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Ebiketie has been a menace for the Nittany Lions, leading a defensive end rotation that includes Adisa Isaac, Jesse Luketa, Nick Tarburton, and Zuriah Fisher. But more than that, he’s quickly distinguished himself as one of the top edge rushers — not just in his conference but in the entire 2022 NFL Draft class. |
Arnold Ebiketie NFL Draft Player ProfileThe Nittany Lions have shown they can find and develop talent on the edge. Though Ebiketie’s path to Penn State was somewhat unorthodox, his rise within their halls has been all but expected. On the stat sheet, Ebiketie passes the production test with flying colors. And on tape, he boasts an enticing mix of traits as well — most notably his combination of burst, length, ankle flexion, and natural power. Ebiketie has the necessary physical traits, and he’s shown he can channel them well. His age may be a separating factor in an EDGE class that’s absolutely stacked at the top, but nothing more. There’s no reason that Ebiketie shouldn’t be in the Day 2 conversation in the 2022 NFL Draft. And if a team likes him enough after testing and offseason events, he could be an under-the-radar first-round candidate. |
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