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Football's Future
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Justin Tuck DE Notre Dame Jr. 6�5 261
Justin Tuck is classified as a senior, but he has the option of returning for another year if he chooses to do so. During his three seasons on the field, he has become one of Notre Dame�s best playmakers on defense in the school�s history. He is ND�s all time sack leader(24.5 sacks) and single season leader(13.5, set last season). In his last two seasons as a defensive end(he played linebacker his first season), he has totaled 19.5 sacks, 120 tackles, and 33 tackles for loss. Tuck�s cousin is Adalius Thomas of the Ravens.
Tuck is an explosive pass rusher on the football field. He may be the best pure pass rusher in this draft. He is a great athlete and can really get up field in a hurry. He has great agility, able to quickly change direction in his pursuit up field, and has the closing speed to get to the QB. As a DE, he appears to have the frame to add a few more pounds and not have it effect is athleticism. His freshman year at Notre Dame, Tuck made an impact as a linebacker, and switched to DE the past two seasons. For teams that play the 3-4, Tuck could have an instant impact as an OLB since he is just two seasons removed from playing that spot.
Justin Tuck is going to be a big time pass rusher in the NFL. There are people that think he can�t handle the beating of playing a 4-3 DE spot because of his lack of bulk, but I believe he is such a standout pass rusher, teams will be able to live with him being taken out of some running plays at times. He reminds of Jevon Kearse, and I believe he can have that type of impact in the NFL. I think teams are going to be blown away with his natural athletic gifts in workouts, and he may possibly hear his name called in the Top 25 of the draft. I cannot see him lasting any further than the mid point of Round 2 if he does indeed declare himself eligible for this years draft.
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