From now until the 2017 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
Glen Antoine/NT Idaho – 6’1” 337 lbs.
The Good:
– Demands double teams
– Physical run defender
– Uses his hands well to set up bullrush or rip and go
– Very strong and powerful
– Motor never stops, refuses to give up
– Give him a gap to defend, nothing will go thru it
The Bad:
– Rarely gets near the quarterback with one career sack
– Doesn’t change directions well
– Might not beat Rich Eisen in a foot race
– Likes to throw blockers down, but that doesn’t always create an advantage for his team
– Give him multiple gaps to defend, he will defend one gap
Bio:
– Attended two junior colleges Navarro JC (Texas) and Highland CC (Kansas) before coming to Idaho in 2015
– Stats at Navarro Junior College: 32 total tackles with 2 of those for loss
– Two years at Idaho: 22 solo tackles, 18 assists, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack
– Tore his labrum at Highland Community College
Tape Breakdown:
The nose tackle gets a good push off the snap of the ball, dances with the blocker for a step or two, then throws him to the ground showing off his balance and power. He spots the ball fumbled behind and dives for it, only to have a receiver duck underneath him to secure the fumble for the Rams.
Antoine keeps low into the line of scrimmage, thrusting his arms out to keep the blocker off his body. This causes a pile to form, which gums up his entire side of the line including the runner. The result is a minimal gain with maximum pileup.
The rotund Vandal fires out low, quickly spins away from his blocker, locates the runner and follows him down the line of scrimmage through the trash. Antoine pounces on the running back with his full weight bringing the ball carrier to the ground violently.
The behemoth defender quickly attacks the A Gap low, reads that its run. Swims over the guard right into a double team with the tackle. He runs between them to hustle downfield to watch the tackle get made.
Antoine is a true nose guard who can realistically only handle one gap well. He fires out low and has a very powerful stout rotund body. This forces many teams to double team him so they can clear the defender out of the way. His motor is always running, but that comes at a cost because Antoine plays less than 65% of the defensive snaps in the games I reviewed. The defender is inefficient getting to the passer. Like an alligator, he moves quick enough in a straight line, but loses speed moving side to side. I’m not sure if he would ever be a starter in the NFL, but could certainly help the Steelers if they are looking for nose guard depth.
Projection: mid 5th round through the mid 7th range
Games Watched: at Washington, at Colorado State, vs. Georgia State, vs. South Alabama
