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Leo Chenal NFL Draft Profile
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Leo Chenal Scouting ReportLeo Chenal developed into one of the most fearsome enforcers in the Big Ten in 2021, offering overwhelming hitting power with very good straight-line acceleration to play in attack mode as a blitz-heavy defender in Jim Leonhard’s defensive system with the Badgers. Wisconsin touted one of the fiercest, stingiest defenses in the country last season with Chenal and fellow linebacker Jack Sanborn serving in starring roles on the second level as the straws that stirred the drink. There’s a rare level of production here with Chenal, who led the Badgers in both sacks and tackles for loss in both 2020 and the 2021 regular season (plus in total tackles in 2021). He’s featured in an abnormally high role as a pressure player, showcasing some alignment versatility to play mugged up in interior gaps or firing off the second level as a green-dog pressure add-on later in reps. Chenal gets high marks for his football character and is a visible catalyst of energy for his teammates. With a rocked-up frame and some level of potential on passing downs, Chenal will have the opportunity to swoon an NFL franchise about his potential to become a more dynamic player in all phases. At the very least, he’s got a visible passion for the game and can be an early-down enforcer in a defensive system that puts “bumpers” around him and charges him with triggering downhill into the teeth of the point of attack to shoot gaps and attack lead blockers. |
Areas for ImprovementChenal is not going to offer you a lot of value in this regard. He doesn't have a lot of mobility and fluidity to turn and run with tight ends, the lateral quickness to attack backs in coverage, or the anticipation to play in zone. He’s produced next to zero ball production throughout the course of his collegiate career with just one interception and one pass defensed. He’s tightly wound through the hips and therefore struggles to drive and produce suddenness when needing to stick his foot in the ground and redirect.
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Leo Chenal Career at WisconsinLeo has played in 18 games with 7 starts at inside linebacker. He owns 66 tackles, including 8.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks and has 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception. In 2019, Leo earned first letter, playing in 11 games. He recorded 20 tackles, including 16 solo, with 2.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack. In 2020, he earned second letter, starting all 7 games for UW at inside linebacker and ranked second on the team with 46 tackles, including 31 solo, with 6.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.
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Leo Chenal NFL Draft Player ProfileAn absolute jackhammer. He’s a blast to watch smash into lead blockers and pullers, or kick-out blocks, or ball-carriers, or quarterbacks. He’s relentless in pursuit and even when he busts his contain and leverage, he is quick to rally and continue to the ball. He’s got a lot of power and plays with the mentality of looking to dictate reps, even when catching offensive linemen trying to climb to him. This is a “lead by example” player who plays a million miles per hour. He’s often seen chatting up with closely aligned teammates before the snap too, indicating he’s a part of the communication chain.
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