OLB, Washington State
Rankings: 38th-ranked outside linebacker by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as 50-50 to make an NFL roster or practice squad.
NFLDraftScout: 18th-ranked OLB, #189 player overall, 5th-6th round grade.
Biography/honors:
2011: Second-team all-Pac 12. Started all 11 games as an outside linebacker. 88 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups and an interception he returned 67 yards for a TD. Selected for NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
2010: Started all 12 games at WLB. 81 tackles, 5 tackles-for-loss, 2 sacks, 4 pass breakups, one forced fumble and 2 interceptions.
2009: Played in 11 games, with 8 starts at MLB and one at WLB. 84 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and an interception he returned 52 yards for a TD.
2008: Junior college transfer. Redshirted.
Major: not listed.
Injuries:
2009: Missed one game due to a staph infection.
Pro day results: (NFL Combine OLB averages in parentheses)
4.54 40 (4.73 average – Hoffman-Ellis would have been 2nd-fastest OLB at Combine)
1.57 10-yard split
36.5” vertical jump (34.5”)
9'11" broad jump (9'9")
7.09 3-cone drill (7.16)
4.33 20-yard shuttle (4.30)
36 bench press (23 average – Hoffman-Ellis would have led all linebackers at Combine and tied for third among all players)
Positives:
Strong and quick-footed with excellent straight-line speed. Runs and tackles well. Breaks down well, takes good angles, good wrap tackler with snap. Gets good depth in his drops and shows he can open up his hips. Productive college player despite limited experience. Has makeup to be an impact player on special teams.
Negatives:
Short and stocky with short arms. Inexperienced, only one year of high school football due to disciplinary and academic issues. Slow to read and react, has not developed good run instincts. Struggles to stack and shed. Gets stood up on contact and is easily washed out of plays inside. Lacks quickness to get through traffic or avoid second-level blockers. Inconsistent motor. Does not make many plays in pursuit. Stiff and doesn't break down well in space. Clumsy-footed and plays with poor balance. Not comfortable in zone coverage, has to think too much.
Compares to: Jon Alston, with apologies for the potential jinx.
Fun Facts: A superb all-around athlete, Alex lettered in four sports in high school, where he played middle linebacker, tight end and punter on the football team. He played on the gold medal U.S. national 15-16-year-old basketball team at the Maccabi International Games, and finished fifth in the state of California in the javelin in junior college.
RamView: “The Hoff” really has me scratching my head, for a couple of reasons. For one, how does one of the fastest, strongest, athletically-gifted LBs out there fall all the way out of the draft? The other is that so far in OTAs, the Rams have used him mostly in the middle. He has played all over, but seems better-suited for the weak side. He is a very intriguing player in any event. He's a well-regarded college player who made a lot of impact plays, despite a lack of experience compared to other players because of his high school misadventures. The main complaints I see about him – uncertainty, slow to read and react – are traits of a player who's still pretty raw, which good coaching and plenty of repetitions can fix. Hoffman-Ellis looks to me like the perfect example of a player who can be coached up and developed into an elite player. If he's fully dedicated in training camp, his athletic skill will eventually put him over the top. I would be rather surprised if he cannot at least make this year's practice squad, and from there, turn into something special.
Chance of making roster: 60%.
Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, National Football Post, Scout.com, Washington State athletics
Photo: Pro Football Weekly
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