Prospectus - Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

For those of you not familiar with this section of Football Futures, Prospectus is where we take a more in depth look at an individual who is preparing to make the jump from college to the pros. This segment will focus on Alabama linebacker, Rolando McClain.

Overall, I like Rolando McClain.  He has a lot of the skills you look for in a guy who will be responsible for patrolling the middle of your defense.  He has good size, and good game speed, although his true 40 speed is still unknown as he chose not to run at the combine. 

The Measures

Height:     6' 4"

Weight:    258 lbs

Age:         21

Stats

	Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumb	Fumb Rec	Int	TD
2007	74	1	0	0	2	0
2008	91	3	0	0	1	0
2009	105	4	1	0	2	0
Totals	270	8	1	0	5	0

His Game

When you look at McClain, you have to be impressed by his tenacity when it comes to getting after ball carriers.  He is good at peeling off blockers and getting after the play. He gets low at the point of contact and he exhibits excellent body control.  McClain packs some punch when he hits, and he has good ball skills as well.  His 5 career interceptions demonstrate that if you throw over his middle, he can pick it off.

As for knocks, there are not too many.  The primary knock that I see is McClain's lack of form tackling.  As I mentioned, he can bring the wood when he hits, but he doesn't use good technique to do it.  When you first get taught to tackle, you are taught to place your shoulder or ear on the ball carrier's belly button, then to slam your forearms as hard as you can into his sides, wrapping your hands around his back in the process.  Then you finish the tackle bring the carrier to the ground.  McClain doesn't do this when he tackles.  Instead, he gets in front of the tackler, grips the jersey, and tries to fling him to the ground.  In college he is strong enough to get away with it.  I don't think he will be able to employ this shortcut in the pros.


The Grade

Rolando McClain is the best linebacker in this class bar none.  That includes his questionable decision to sit and watch while at the combine rather than participate as he was expected to do.  Looking back across each of the three previous drafts, McClain would still be a first round selection as compared to the talent in those classes, and in April, he should not only go in round one, but he should be the first backer, inside or out, to be taken.  


EZ's ILB Rankings

1. Rolando McClain, Alabama
2. Daryl Washington, TCU
3. Brandon Spikes, UF
4. Patrick Angerer, Iowa
5. Sean Lee, Penn State












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