Each year I do a deep dive on mid-late round prospects and find some “my guys”. These are players I expect to go on Day 3 of the draft (rounds 4-7), with the capability of being a solid NFL player, and “steal”, for the team that drafts them. In this edition of the 2024 “Steal” prospects, I will be covering Ty’Ron Hopper, a linebacker out of the University of Missouri.
Name: Ty’Ron Hopper
Position: LB
School: Missouri
Height: 6020
Weight: 231
Hand: 8 7/8″
Wingspan: 31 3/8″
Introduction: After three years at the University of Florida, Hopper transferred to Missouri where he amassed 129 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, 6 sacks, and 1 FF and INT in his two seasons there. An ankle sprain sidelined him for the last two regular season games and he did not play in Missouri’s Bowl game, but his college career was relatively injury-free. He racked up multiple accolades this season, being named a captain for Missouri, a member of the All-SEC Second-Team, and a Butkus Award Finalist (given annually to the best linebacker in college football).
Strengths:
- Long frame and arms give him a wide tackle radius
- Played like his hair was on fire, had a high motor and chased plays sideline to sideline
- Great at accelerating through gaps on blitzes and run plays
- Good closing speed in man and zone coverage
Areas For Development:
- Stiff hips in coverage, allowed separation at the top of routes
- He has length but could use a little more weight to better help him separate from or disrupt blockers
- Most of his pressures and sacks were more-so good defensive scheme/poor blocking rather than him making a great play
- Lacked great instincts/feel for the LB position, found himself lost or slow to react on some plays
- Lacks great pass-rush moves
Draft Projection: Rounds 4-5
Outlook: After watching the film of multiple projected Day 3 linebacker picks, I settled on Hopper because of his ability to fly all over the field and his athleticism in general. He’s constantly giving a great effort and his long, almost defensive-back-like frame allows him to play in different alignments. I think he has more than enough capability of playing special teams with the chance to contribute and grow into a scheme specific defensive weapon for an NFL team.
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