My bet for this year's Barwin binky is Jason Worilds.
Barwin had more binky buzz at this time last year, but I have a hunch that Worilds is going to blow up the combine.
He's said to run a sub 4.5 40, and I believe it. I think his shuttle times will also be Barwin-esque.
Also like Barwin, Worilds doesn't have any experience in space as a LB, but he'll test out as being very physically capable of dropping into coverage.
Both Barwin and Worilds were special teams rock stars.
Barwin was a D-1 basketball player and tight end, which added to his binky factor.
Worilds is only a junior, which will add to his hype mystique, and he also has significantly more experience than Barwin, while being completely raw as the 3-4 OLB he projects to.
He might be my binky already, especially since he is so far below the radar at this point.
Graham is too mainstream now, lol.
Jason Worilds - Virginia Tech (HT: 6'2" | WT: 252)
Strengths:
-Extremely quick off the line, shows incredible burst and speed when coming out of a 3 points stance
-Excellent straight-line speed, can pursue plays to the sideline and chase down quarterbacks from behind, has been clocked at 4.49 in the 40 yard dash
-Special team whiz, has excelled playing “beamer ball” at Virginia Tech
-Really goes after the quarterback, puts fear into opposing offenses when he’s blitzing
-Workout warrior, benches 385 lbs., has extraordinary upper body strength
Weaknesses:
-Plays DE for Virginia Tech so he’s not used to standing up as a LB
-Raw in pass coverage, has the athletic ability but hasn’t been used much in man-to-man or zone coverage schemes
-Production hasn’t matched his ability, classic underachiever. Put together 8 sacks as a sophomore, but really should be putting up 10+ annually with his athletic talent, only has 4 so far as a junior
-Lacks polish in the running game, doesn’t read and react, pursues plays too aggressively