Franchise12

Zach Follet from Cal is a linebacker I've been paying attention to as I attempt to look beyond the surface of this upcoming draft. He's a tenacious player who has a great closing speed and creates turnovers. hes an outside linebacker but he played the inside during the senior bowl and started with the first team (versatility). what do you think of him as a 3rd or 4th round pick.


YouTube - Zack Follet 2007 Highlights

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DaBruinz

Actually, people have talked about him.

VJCPatriot

I think that the version of the highlights on this page is clearer, particularly when you fullscreen it.

Zack Follet 2007Highlights - California Golden Blogs

For me I'm concerned with the size. He's listed as 6'1 238 on his college bio. But those things usually exaggerate height/weight so irl he might be more like 6'0/5'11 and 230 lbs. Does that bring anymore to the table than Ruud who we already have as a STer? If he comes into the combine weighing in at 6'1 or 6'.5 and at least 245ish then I'd give him a longer look as a Pats ILB prospect.

The highlights are nice and all and I like the tackling that I'm seeing for the most part but they don't tell me much about his

1. Ability to take on/shed tackles which he will have to do a lot of in NE.
2. His coverage abilities on the TE/short area WR
3. His ability to play ILB. He's shown almost exclusively as an OLB and I think he would project to ILB for us.

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tjones7

Do you have anything useful to add or do you just like being a douchebag?

I like his versatlility, has the speed to contribute of ST immediately but he apparently has some tackling issues. He also seems a bit light to play ILB in a 3-4 but I think people were saying that about Mayo last year.

Box_O_Rocks

Follet is a very likeable LB prospect, the challenge for this Zach is to play like the other Zach who like the pre-stroke Bruschi was a master at avoiding the blocker while still closing the running lane. This Zach weighed in at 231 lbs for the Senior Bowl, Larry Izzo country. I like the kid very much, but if I had the draft pick, I couldn't justify drafting him as high as the 4-3 teams will have him rated - Chicago is going to love this kid.

If he slips to round 6 I'm all over him for Special Teams and the faint hope he can duplicate the other Zach's success.

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VJCPatriot

The other Zach? Do you mean Zach Thomas?

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Box_O_Rocks

Little fellow, tormented NE for years, made a truly bad choice between NE and Dallas...

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MetalBleachers

Much, MUCH better fit for the 4-3. Had 10.5 sacks and 23 TFL in 2008, but would have a hard time doing that as a 3-4 OLB.

Maybe another TBC, only a lot smaller.

BPF

I think he projects inside in a 34 defense. For the Pats he would play WILL. He plays violent and has speed. Plays sideline to sideline well. He does lack size, but seemingly has the frame to bulk up (is he 6-0, 6-1, 6-2?? 232-238??). He diagnoses well and finds the ball. He is a very good tackler, he plays the run and pass well and doesn't get fooled by play action. He is a good blitzer and plays well in zone schemes. He sheds well and is very strong. He needs to improve his pass rush moves though and that's why I think he is moving inside. He seems to have upside and will be ready to contribute on ST's asap. A LB I like from Cal as well is Worrell Williams*|*California,*ILB*:*2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile I think he would be a good fit for the Pats D and will most likely go late. He may not be a talent for all teams but would fit in nicely on this defense.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
Aristotle

"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance."
Socrates

STH since 1994....sec 236

Box_O_Rocks

Follett is a big project inside, Williams was very slow reading and reacting, the best California 3-4 LB they had - for the NE 3-4 - was Anthony Felder, unfortunately he weighed in at 231 for the Shrine Game, but he had much better insitincts than Williams or Follett.

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