NFL Soup|Wednesday, May 22, 2013
You are here: Home » NFL Draft » Scouting Reports » 2011 Scouting Reports » 2011 NFL Draft Player Profile | Akeem Ayers

2011 NFL Draft Player Profile | Akeem Ayers 

Akeem Ayers

Drafted by Tennessee Titans 

Akeem Ayers was a three year starter for Verbum Dei High School in the center of Los Angeles. Ayers came out of high school as a four star recruit, and was ranked as the top defensive end in the entire state of California.

It’s hard to believe that Ayers was both a defensive end, and a wide receiver in high school. He wasn’t nearly as dominant as a receiver, however, as he only totaled around 25 receptions a season. Ayers didn’t see any time as a true freshman, but he started to make an impact in his sophomore year only to start every game for the Bruins in 2009 and 2010 as a SAM linebacker.

Player Name: Akeem Ayers

Position: Outside Linebacker

School: UCLA

Height: 6’3

Weight: 254

Arm: 33

Strengths

Ayers is quite athletic for a man of his size. Close to 260 pounds, Ayers moves well laterally, and is excellent in pursuit of the ball carrier. He is a smart player that is good at diagnosing the play and reacting quickly. He does well maintaining outside contain, staying home and not getting caught out of position. Ayers is quite versatile. He lined up as a defensive end, inside linebacker, outside pass rusher, and strong side line backer in a 4-3 base. When he does pass rush, he gets up field in a hurry and comes down the line strong. Ayers excels in coverage, doing a nice job staying in his zone and also is great in shoving receivers off of their routes inside five yards.

Weaknesses

Despite Ayers’ size, he lacks good strength. He struggles to get off of blockers, and while he doesn’t get pushed back, he doesn’t disengage and make the tackle. Too often Ayers is caught trying to make an arm tackle. He’s not a great wrap up tackler in the open field as he fails to break down and use fundamentals. He doesn’t have great change of direction when playing in space as well, and has been known to over pursue every once in awhile.

Draft Range

Ayers could go in the late first round to a team like New Orleans, Seattle, Atlanta, or New England. However, he could fall into the middle of the second round, where it’s most likely he’ll be scooped up in a hurry. Despite not showing a great pass rush, he still fits as a project in the 3-4 defense as a utility outside linebacker who plays more in coverage but rushes the passer at times. Arizona, Tennessee, Washington, Houston, Minnesota, Detroit and St. Louis will take a hard look at Ayers in the second round, and I have a hard time believing all of those teams will pass on a natural talent like him in the middle of the second round.

NFL Comparison: Mike Vrabel

About the author: Keet Bailey

Keet Bailey heads the NFL Draft division of NFL Soup. Bailey's 2012 NFL Mock Draft scored 12th overall among 112 participants according to The Huddle Report's Annual Mock Draft scoring contest. An avid Cleveland Browns fan, Keet hails from and resides in Ohio. Follow Keet on Twitter @NFLSoupKeet

9 Responses to 2011 NFL Draft Player Profile | Akeem Ayers

  1. android tablets

    I would want to thank you to the efforts you have put in writing this web page. I am hoping the identical high-grade internet site post through you inside the upcoming furthermore. In simple fact your imaginative writing skills has encouraged me to obtain my individual blog now. Actually the actual blogging is spreading it��s wings speedily. Your write up is a superb example from it.

     
  2. ugg rockville ii

    Iˇm now not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I must spend a while learning more or working out more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.

     
  3. forkmen

    8 available 35, 50 return 70mm

     
  4. Ahmad Bevilacqua

    Are all diverse, resilient, and provide among the list of most support, footing at the same time as cushioning linked by using a jogging sneakers. jeremy scott footwear is among the list of finest athletic sneakers offered in the marketplace. This footwear have remarkable materials designed by the Adidas Business. Despite the fact that jeremy scott footwear is developed making use of remarkably lengthy lasting materials

     
  5. Shizuko Weisbecker

    You…are…my…hero!!! I cant think one thing like this exists within the internet! Its so true, so honest, and more than you dont sound like an idiot! As a final point, someone who knows the way to talk about a subject without having sounding like a kid who didnt get that bike he required for Christmas.

     
  6. Adam Dellow

    Fantastic cargo from you, gentleman. Ive learn your stuff in advance of and youre just as satisfactorily amazing. I enjoy what youve got proper now, worship what youre stating and the way you utter it. You achieve it entertaining and you even straight away manage to avoid be it clever. I cant hold your fire to get by means of other beginning you. With the intention of is truly an incredible weblog.

     
  7. Vena Berthelot

    related with an accident less complicated much more negative. Children ought to be taught to possess sun glasses real early given that they will learn to hold some shades if he or she go out. You aren’t just safeguarding their own personal very good eyes, but moreover teaching these that sun glasses are essential. Guarding their particular sight could also decrease the chance of eyesight bacterial infections. Also babies should be put in the habit of smoking involving beautifying sunglasses. They search actually adorable and they’re manufactured for a specified

     
  8. uranium

    this kind of on line courses, will certainly have to take care of the admission or registration approach,

     
  9. http://youtube.com/watch?v=xbL01vfSggg

    As a blow owner I believe the subject matter here is reallyexcellent. I thank you for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck…

     

Add a Comment