This page was last updated April 24, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
Height: 6-8. Weight: 277. Arm: 33 3/8. Hand: 9 5/8
40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
4/24/13: There is variety in where Hunt is being projected to go, but he could be a late first-round pick.
Hunt used the Combine to put on a tremendous display of strength, speed and athleticism. He tied for the the bench press lead with 38 reps and ran a lightning 40 time. Hunt gave further proof that he is a freak athlete.
The senior started out poorly in 2012 with a bad game against Baylor. He played better after that, including quality showings against Texas A&M, Houston, Southern Miss and TCU. Hunt was a force in SMU’s bowl game, picking up two sacks and two forced fumbles. He had 31 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, two passes batted and three blocked kicks in 2012.
Hunt’s technique in run defense and executing pass-rushing moves have really improved, but he is still extremely raw. Hunt flashed at times at the Senior Bowl, yet needs some more development for the next level. He could turn into a perfect 3-4 defensive end in the mold of Justin Smith.
8/27/12: Hunt is a physical freak. The Karksi-Nuia, Estonia product is a raw player who really came on strong at the end of his junior season. He recorded all three of his sacks for 2011 against Pittsburgh in the Bowl game. Hunt also had 28 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss. He totaled 5.5 sacks across his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Hunt uses his height to be a dangerous weapon on special teams. He blocked seven kicks as a freshman, three kicks as a sophomore and four kicks as a junior. It is entirely possible that the senior could end his college career with nearly 20 blocked kicks. Hunt may be best as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense for the NFL. -
Zach Line, FB, SMU
Height: 6-0. Weight: 232. Hand: 8.68.
40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round (2013): 4-6.
4/24/13: Many teams view Line as a hybrid fullback/running back. He could be an effective goal line and short-yardage back in the NFL. Line had a solid Combine 40 time for a fullback, but a poor time for a running back. He did well as a receiver in the field work.
Line averaged 4.6 yards per carry in 2012 while amassing 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 33 passes for 229 yards. The senior had fumbles against Baylor and TCU.
Line doesn’t look like he has the burst needed to be a running back in the NFL; he isn’t quick enough to the hole. However, Line definitely has the skill set to be a fullback. He is big enough to be a good blocker, can carry the ball in short-yardage situations and has nice receiving ability out of the backfield.
Line had a solid week of practice at the East-West Shrine. He would prefer to stay as a running back, but will have to move to fullback to make it in the NFL.
8/17/12: Zach Line is going to have to add some bulk and power to be a true fullback in the NFL, but he is one of the most productive running fullbacks to come out in some time. Line ran for 1,224 yards (5.9 average) and 17 touchdowns as junior last year. He ran for 1,494 yards with an average of 6.1 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns in 2010, also catching 17 passes for 163 yards.
Line runs with power and has a style similar to Stanford’s Toby Gerhart in the 2010 NFL Draft, Line could be considered by some teams to be a running back in the NFL but fullback may be a better fit. He was the Mustangs’ short-yardage back in 2009 as a freshman and recorded seven touchdowns.
Line has contributed as a receiver with a total of 42 receptions for 370 yards in his career. If he can stay as productive as a senior, he should be selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Traditional fullbacks are becoming few and far between in the NFL, so a player with Line’s versatility to be a runner and receiver increases his value for the next level.
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