UCLA defensive lineman Odighizuwa has potential
Latest in a Packers Prospects series looking at players Green Bay could select in the April 29-May 1 NFL draft.
GREEN BAY - Look past the scale, into Osa Odighizuwa's past before he became a stout defensive lineman at UCLA, and it's apparent the firstround NFL draft hopeful isn't your typical undersized prospect.
Yes, Odighizuwa's 280 pounds are lighter than a 3-4 defensive lineman might usually carry. But he showed his strength as a star high school wrestler, winning three state championships in Oregon. He brings the same unbeatable mentality to the football field, where Odighizuwa was one of the nation's most difficult defensive linemen to block regardless of his size.
Odighizuwa had four sacks, six tackles for loss and 25 pressures in seven games last season. He's a stout run defender, using his wrestling technique to shed blocks. He also has an NFL pedigree. Odighizuwa's older brother, Owa Odighizuwa, was the New York Giants' third-round draft pick in 2015, though he played only one season.
With a thin defensive tackle group this season, a good Senior Bowl showing put Odighizuwa in position to be a sleeper candidate to break into the late first round in this month's draft. A team needing to bolster its defensive line such as the Green Bay Packers, who select 29th overall, might be enticed to draft Odighizuwa based on his potential at the next level.
The Packers have shown no hesitation to target undersized defensive linemen under general manager Brian Gutekunst, who took Kingsley Keke (6-3, 288 pounds) in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. Odighizuwa is cut from the same mold, a combo lineman who took turns up everywhere on the defensive line in college.
It wouldn't be the first time in recent years the Packers selected a UCLA defensive lineman in the first round. The Packers got everything they could have hoped for from Kenny Clark, the 27th overall pick in 2016. To give Clark some much-needed help, perhaps the Packers will grab another UCLA defensive tackle.
Scouting measurables: 6-2, 280 pounds, 34-inch arms, 103⁄8-inch hands, 25 bench-press reps.
Stats: 7 games, 30 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 25 pressures.
Pro Football Focus analysis: Odighizuwa had big shoes to fill in a Bruins uniform after his older brother's career at UCLA. But don't think Owa's lack of success in the NFL will spell the same for Osa. The younger Odighizuwa is much more of an interior player who's capable of consistently pushing the pocket. At only 280 pounds, Osa makes up for that lack of size with long arms and an exceptionally strong lower half. You'd never guess he's that light based on his tape. He often played a role for UCLA that wasn't particularly conducive to pass-rushing production, but he earned an 89.7 pass-rushing grade in true passrushing situations in 2020.
Draftniks say: “Odighizuwa was an explosive defensive lineman for the Bruins, but may not have a true position at the next level. He could project as a three-technique tackle or defensive end
in a four-man front, although he'll have to improve his strength at the point to develop into a starter on Sundays.” – Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network
Quotable: “I've been through three defensive schemes now, which have required me to play everywhere on the line. That's something I knew I was going to do coming in. I came to UCLA as a three-tech and an end in a 4-3. I played in a 3-4, where I played in a little bit of everything. I played four-high, I played two-high, nose, shade, three-tech, five. This new defense that we did, which was more four-down looks, had me playing everywhere as well. Whether it be dime, I'm rushing from the nose, rushing from the end, whether it be a five or a wide-nine, rushing the threetech, and then playing the run on the inside as well. So I feel like that's something that's helped me be able to build my football IQ, just being able to play different techniques and help guys learn techniques as well. Someone that people can rely on when we're on the field together, because I know where everyone is lining up.” – Osa Odighizuwa on his versatility