Penn State EDGE Arnold Ebiketie
6-foot-2
250 pounds
Yahoo Sports’ 2022 NFL draft grade
5.90 — possible first-rounder; possible immediate starter
TL;DR scouting report
Xxxx
The skinny
A 2-star Rivals recruit in the Class of 2017, Ebiketie committed originally to Temple, redshirting in 2017 (one game played) and appearing in six games in 2018, making four tackles. In 2019, he appeared in 12 games at rush end, making 12 tackles (two for losses) with two sacks. Ebiketie broke out in 2020 for the Owls, with 42 tackles (8.5 for losses), four sacks, three forced fumbles and one recovery.
Ebiketie transferred to Penn State in 2021, starting every game at right outside linebacker and raising his game up another notch. He made 62 tackles (18 for losses), 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup and two blocked kicks. Ebiketie appeared at the Senior Bowl.
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 20: Arnold Ebiketie #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates while wearing the running backs chain after the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium on November 20, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Upside
Highly twitchy and athletic — excellent testing numbers in every NFL combine drill
Long arms (34 1/8 inches) and big hands (10 1/4) compensate for lack of height
Hand strength to brawl with tackles and keep their hands off him
Gets low and generates good explosion off the snap
Pass-rush repertoire expanded in a big way — wins with power, speed, misdirection
Incremental improvement in his awareness and savvy past few years
Keeps blockers guessing with his approach
Speed rush seemed to shock tackles last season
Pretty decent ability to bend and turn the corner
Will cross blockers’ faces on subtle inside counter
Quality long-arm rush, a la Khalil Mack
Stays with plays — keeps battling to…
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