Bruce Irvin Scouting Report

Published: 25^th Sep 11 9:59 am

by Chris Ransom
New England Patriots and Dallas Stars Featured Columnist

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Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

Biography Bruce Irvin 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker #11 West Virginia Senior

Pros

Physical Ability: Bruce Irvin is a physical freak of nature.

Durability: Irvin rarely gets injured.

Size: Irvin is 6 foot 3 245 pounds. Irvin has lined up in a 4-3 defense as a defensive end. He is probably better suited making the permanent transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker. Irvin has the size to play in this league. His role may be limited to a 3-4 scheme in the NFL.

Awareness: Bruce Irvin displays outstanding play recognition skills for a linebacker prospect.

Football IQ: Irvin is a very smart instinctive player. He can adjust to a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme as a pass rusher.

Learning Rate: Learns new plays on the defensive side of the football at a very fast rate.

Intangibles: Has very good intangibles for an NFL prospect. Bruce Irvin is a very versatile defender who can be difficult to stop at times.

Speed: Irvin has the speed to be an effective defender. Irvin can be fast and physical.

Team Leader: Irvin is a great team leader who knows how to motivate West Virginia’s defense on Saturday’s.

Sack Artist: Irvin was 2nd in sacks behind DeQuan Bowers in sacks in 2010.

Block Shedding: Bruce Irvin has elite block shedding ability that enables him to inflict pressure on opposing signal callers.

Pursuit: I have already raved about Irvin’s block shedding. Bruce Irvin has the abilty to pursuit the quarterback winning pass rushing battles against opposing offensive tackles.

Power Moves: Bruce Irvin is really effective when executing his power moves against opposing offensive lineman.

Can Be Used as a 4-3 Right End: Irvin has the ability to play right end in the 4-3 if he adds 30 pounds.

Can Be Used as a 4-3 Left End: Irvin has taken snaps at the left end spot. Irvin has experience at both defensive end spots.

Can Be Used as a 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker: Irvin can play a 3-4 outside linebacker role in the NFL with his size at 6 foot 3 245 pounds.

Can Be Used as a 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker: Irvin can play a 4-3 left end role. He is better suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker so there is no reason to believe that he cannot play the 3-4 left outside linebacker spot at the next level.

Burst Of The Edge: Bruce Irvin displays a good burst off the edge. Irvin showcases a relentless motor and a quality sound fundamental technique when playing football.

Production: Bruce Irvin provides top notch production on a weekly basis when you watch the game film. Irvin’s statistics may not stand out on the stat sheet, but you become enamored when you watch Irving pass rush opposing quarterbacks on film. The bottom line is Irvin will give you 110 percent each week. If Irvin struggles its because his opponent simply outplayed him that week.

Potential: Bruce Irvin has the potential to be a legend if he applies himself to the game. Irvin has the aggressive nature that a coach loves. If he can channel that nature properly while still playing aggressive your going to witness a pass rusher who performs like James Harrison.

Cons

Run Stuffing Ability: Bruce Irvin is very inconsistent in run support. Irvin kept Da Rel Scott to 4 carries for 6 rushing yards. LSU running back Stevan Ridley went wild on West Virginia’s defense last year with 20 carries for 116 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Delone Carter rushed for 75 rushing yards on 9 carries. Jordan Todman ran through West Virgnia’s run defense like a snow dog running crazy with 33 carries 113 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Cincinnati running back Isiah Pead a 2012 NFL Draft prospect had 8 carries for 75 rushing yards, and Dion Lewis had 11 carries for 34 rushing yards.

Zone Coverage: Bruce Irvin tends to struggle sometimes when dropping back into zone coverage. Irvin should be mainly used as a blitzer.

My thoughts on Bruce Irvin

Bruce Irvin is a first round talent that could fall to the 3rd round. If he can answer questions about his run stuffing ability and his zone coverage skills then he could surge up draft boards.

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