Draft Rewind 2013 – Star Lotulelei – Carolina Panthers

What Ourlads NFL Scouting Services said about STAR LOTULELEI: Utah, 6024 311 5.18. Two-year starter plus three starts as a sophomore in 2010. Junior college transfer from Snow College. Big, thick, and quick. Was voted the coveted Morris Trophy as the defensive lineman of the year by the Pac-12 offensive linemen in 2011. Good endurance. Moved to defensive end in three man front nickel package. Quick to diagnose the play after controlling his opponent. Quick reactions. Finds the ball. Can read trap and combination blocks. Reacts quickly on the snap. He can explode and unlock his hips with force. Good base leverage and lower strength with knee bend to hold the point. Stout inline. Plays with good core strength and balance. Good arm extension and hand placement. Two gap ability to control the blockers inside. Closes the inside running lanes with authority. Explosive tackler. As a pass rusher he is off on the snap. Good use of his hands and feet. Quick arm over move. He can get vertical push. Quick recognition of screen passes and draws. An explosive big man with upfield push. Ideal build for an interior defender. Good change of direction. Almost always draws a double team. Always on the field. Rarely gets a break. Dominant inside force. Has quick reactions to find the ball. Needs to develop more and varied pass rushing moves. Would like to see more productivity. Question instincts at times. As of press time, all reports are positive clearing up Star’s cardiac issues. First year starter. 2012 stats: 42 T, 10 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 BB, 3 FF, 4 FR. Medical exclusion at Combine – cardiac issues. First round. (A-33 5/8, H-9 3/4, BP-38, 10-1.79). CAMP NOTES: Star Lotulelei fits the bill as a “hog molly” as general manager Dave Gettleman calls the defensive lineman, a space eater that commands double teams. Explosive in his play, he has a good base leverage and lower strength with knee bend to hold the point. He plays with good core strength and balance and has two gap ability. He is projected to start at nose tackle in a four-man front scheme shifting between even and odd fronts. The big man gets vertical push and was a dominant force even though he rarely came off the field at Utah. He uses his hands and arm extension to his advantage.