Tag: Owen Pappoe

2023 NFL draft: 3 linebackers for Chargers to watch at Combine

Here are a few linebackers expected to test well at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Los Angeles Chargers could target in the draft.

The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week, which will bring the 2023 draft class fully into focus, as this is the week of athletic testing, evaluations, and interviews for over 300 prospects.

With the combine ready to set the stage before free agency and the draft, we look at players worth monitoring for the Chargers.

Whether it be players who are options at pick No. 21 or later in the draft, we will pick out some at each position who should test well and generate buzz.

Here are a few linebackers worth keeping an eye on.

10 linebackers to watch for Colts at NFL combine

Taking a look at 10 linebacker prospects to watch for the Colts at the NFL combine this week.

It’s NFL combine week, which gets kicked off on Thursday with the defensive linemen and linebackers.

Linebacker has been a position of strength for the Indianapolis Colts over the past few seasons and the depth was on display when the leader of the defense, Shaquille Leonard, basically missed the entire 2022 season.

It is a different case heading into the offseason because it is expected that Bobby Okereke will be heading to a new team in free agency and it is also possible that E.J. Speed will no longer be a Colt if he chooses to move on as a free agent.

With money invested into Leonard and Zaire Franklin, Ballard will likely turn to the 2023 NFL draft to add depth to the group.

The linebackers are currently scheduled to conduct their measurements and on-field workouts Thursday afternoon.

Here are some names to pay attention to when the linebacker prospects perform this week:

Lions draft profile: Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn

A scouting look at Auburn LB Owen Pappoe and how he might appeal to the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL draft

A former five-star recruit who posted some big-time tackle numbers in the SEC goes under the scouting spotlight.

Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 225 (listed by Auburn)

Pappoe is 22 years old

An instant starter and impact player for Auburn, Pappoe primarily played as the MIKE backer for the Tigers. He racked up over 250 total tackles in 41 career games, including 93 in 12 games in his senior season. He earned the nickname “The Freak” for his prodigious athletic prowess that includes a 40-inch vertical and a blazing 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds at over 220 pounds.

Pappoe was slated to appear in Senior Bowl week but missed it with a shoulder injury that did not require surgery.

Pros

  • Very fundamentally sound tackler with consistent heads-up and wrap form, though he will aim high at times
  • Quick feet and good reaction quickness in coverage
  • Always on his toes and actively moving; you never see Pappoe caught flat-footed or standing still
  • Well-respected field general who was responsible for setting up the defense pre-snap and making calls
  • Range to either sideline from the middle and can chase down runners with an impressive closing burst
  • Alert and instinctive in coverage, especially with the play in front of him
  • Straight-line speed to turn and run with TEs and RBs in man coverage
  • Hits with a lot of power behind his pads (ask Penn State)

Cons

  • Below-average at block avoidance; takes poor angles and doesn’t always use his hands to shed (see: Miss. St. and LSU games in ’22)
  • Lacks great body control in pursuit and run defense. Will overrun the point of attack and is vulnerable to quick-footed runners/receivers who can cut sharply
  • Lacks length and doesn’t help himself by not extending out his arms to tackle as well as hoped
  • Better working behind his own defensive line than attacking into the opposing backfield in run defense
  • Lacks a plan as a blitzer other than running full speed into the backfield
  • Missed more than half of the 2021 season with a leg injury. Heading to the NFL scouting combine with a torn shoulder labrum that forced Pappoe to miss the Senior Bowl

Overall

Pappoe is a reliably smart, physical off-ball LB. He’s at his best playing in the middle of the field and behind two stout DTs, cleaning up anything that gets past the line. His speed and quick processing allow Pappoe to chase down tackles all over the field, and he’s proven he can be an asset in coverage situations.

He often plays like he’s a bigger player, for better and for worse. Pappoe needs to move through the blocking and traffic better to take advantage of his speed, and he’s not as effective downhill as he is reading/reacting and patrolling the second level. The injuries probably lower his draft stock into the 100-150 overall range, though a clean bill of health for his shoulder at the combine and an expected strong workout could lift him into the 60-90 overall range.

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Six former Tigers invited to the NFL Combine

Six former Tigers are among the 319 players invited to attend the event Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.

After having just one player taken in last year’s NFL draft, Auburn will be well-represented at the 2023 NFL Combine with six former players invited.

Running back [autotag]Tank Bigbsy[/autotag], kicker [autotag]Anders Carlson[/autotag], edge rushers [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag], and defensive lineman [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] have all been invited to the prestigious event in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event is scheduled to take place from Feb. 27 to March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Hall is Auburn’s top prospect and has a chance to hear his name called in the first round. Bigsby and Pappoe are looking to play their way into the second or third round of the draft.

Pappoe missed the Senior Bowl with an injury but is expected to be ready for the combine and Auburn’s pro day.

The 2023 NFL Draft will take place from April 27-29.

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Defense by the Numbers: Top Tigers based on snap count

Which defensive player saw the most action during the 2022 season?

The offseason is now here, which means it is time to take a look back at the season that was for Auburn Football.

The 2022 season ended in disappointment as the Tigers finished with a 5-7 record. Auburn fired its head coach, [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag], eight games into the season, which led to assistant coach [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] taking over and leading Auburn to a 2-2 record to close out the season.

Defensively, Auburn had great performances from such names as [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag], [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], and [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag]. Their success translates to the time they spent on the field.

Auburn played a total of 894 plays on defense in 2022. Who saw the most playing time for Auburn on defense in 2022? Here’s a look at the data according to Pro Football Focus.

RELATED: Auburn Football’s top defensive players of 2022 according to Pro Football Focus

RELATED: Offense by the numbers: Top Tigers by snap count

Owen Pappoe among Mel Kiper’s top inside linebackers ahead of NFL Draft

The NFL Draft expert is high on Owen Pappoe, giving him high draft stock.

It appears that [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] is not the only Tiger receiving praise from ESPN’s Mel Kiper.

Hall was listed as a top outside linebacker ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, checking in at No. 6 on the list. In another position-ranking list, another Auburn defender is gaining attention.

[autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag] recorded 257 tackles during his four-year career on the Plains and recorded 8.5 sacks. His career was noteworthy according to ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, who lists Pappoe on his top-10 inside linebackers list at No. 8.

Pappoe joins a stellar list alongside Henry To’o To’o of Alabama, Noah Sewell of Oregon, and Arkansas‘ Drew Sanders, who tops Kiper’s list.

Pappoe is one of four notable players that have declared for the NFL Draft. Auburn’s defense will be well represented by Pappoe, Derick Hall, and [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag]. Tigers running back [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] is also a big name to watch for this upcoming NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft begins on April 27 with first-round coverage. The second and third rounds will take place on April 28, and the final three rounds will unfold on April 29. The 2023 NFL Draft will take place in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Six Auburn Tigers make Phil Steele’s All-SEC team

Four defensive players, one offensive player and one special teams player made the cut.

Players on Auburn’s 2022 team continue to receive accolades during college football’s postseason.

Sports writer Phil Steele, who is known for his yearly College Football Preview magazine, released his All-SEC picks on Friday. The list featured six different Auburn players on his second, third and fourth teams consisting of four defensive players, one offensive player and one special teams player.

Defensive end Derick Hall is thus far the center of Auburn’s award-winning talents, being named to an All-SEC team earlier in the month. Hall was given his due in Steele’s list, too, but it also features other Auburn players that haven’t gotten as much attention.

Take a look at which Tigers received their honors below:

Auburn linebacker declares for NFL draft

Owen Pappoe is projected to be a third-round pick.

Another Auburn defensive player has declared for the NFL draft.

This time, it’s linebacker [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag], who joins both Derick Hall and Colby Wooden as players who have announced their intentions to declare for the draft. Pappoe, like Hall, is a senior.

Pappoe has been one of Auburn’s more productive players, leading the team in tackles (93) and coming down with an interception with 10 solo tackles in the team’s final game against Alabama. Pappoe was also named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and is one of just four players in Auburn history to be named as a team captain two years in a row.

The Auburn mainstay is currently projected as a third-round pick in the NFL draft, mostly attributed to his coverage skills and motor that are negated by his smaller size. Pappoe is projected to best fit into a 3-4 scheme in the NFL as a weak-side linebacker.

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Photo Gallery: Auburn falls to Alabama in the 87th Iron Bowl

Here are the best images from Auburn’s 49-27 loss to Alabama on Saturday.

Auburn could not carry the momentum that it built over the last two weeks to a third-straight victory, falling to No. 7 Alabama on Saturday, 49-27 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

The loss eliminates Auburn from bowl contention, making it the first time since 2012 that the Tiger finish the regular season without qualifying for a bowl game.

Auburn had a great day rushing the football, outgaining Alabama 318-173 in rushing yards. It marked the third straight game that two players reached the 100-yard mark in rushing. Both [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] rushed for career-highs on Saturday, Ashford led the team in rushing with 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Hunter earned 121 yards.

Auburn also had two players to reach double-digits in tackles. Linebackers [autotag]Cam Riley[/autotag] and [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag] recorded 12 and 10 tackles respectively.

Here is the story of the 87th Iron Bowl, as told in photographs.

Instant Analysis: Auburn throttled by Alabama 49-27 in Iron Bowl

Alabama scored touchdowns on five of their seven first-half drives to take control of the game.

After taking an early lead Auburn was unable to keep up with Alabama in the 2022 Iron Bowl, falling 49-27 to the Crimson Tide Saturday.

Auburn has now lost its last six games inside Bryant-Denny Stadium and none of them were decided by less than double digits. With the loss, Auburn failed to automatically qualify for a bowl game and will need help to keep playing.

Auburn (5-7, 2-6 SEC) took an early 7-0 lead thanks to two big runs by [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag]. He scrambled for 25 yards early in the drive and took a designed carry 24 yards around the right side of the line for his first touchdown.

He finished with 121 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Auburn’s ground game had another strong performance, the Tigers averaged 7.4 yards per carry and finished with 318 yards rushing.

[autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] rushed for over 100 yards for the third consecutive game, finishing with 134 yards on just 11 carries.

Auburn may have opened the scoring but Alabama quickly took command of the game, they scored on their next three possessions to take a 21-7 lead at the start of the second quarter.

The Tigers were unable to get pressure on Bryce Young and the reigning Heisman winner picked apart Auburn’s defense. He completed 20-of-30 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns. He added 48 yards and one score with his legs.

Auburn did not fold though, the Tigers responded with a 10-play, 76-yard drive to stop the bleeding. Ashford capped it off with a beautiful 20-yard pass to [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag] to make it a 21-14 deficit.

Despite averaging 6.2 yards per play, Auburn’s two turnovers prevented the Tigers from keeping up with Alabama, who scored touchdowns on five of their seven drives to start the game and averaged 8.1 yards per play.

Auburn held Alabama to 14 points in the second half but was unable to take advantage of the opportunity. They scored on their first two drives of the second half but it was too little too late as that made it a 42-24 game with 12 minutes to play.

The Tigers had one last chance when [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag] picked off Young with 6:36 left to play and Auburn trailing 42-24. They once again showed their fight, converting on fourth down, and [autotag]Alex McPherson[/autotag] made a 39-yard field goal to cut it to a 42-27 game with 2:08 to play.

Auburn’s 27 points are the most they have scored in Tuscaloosa since scoring 44 in 2014. The Tigers were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick and Alabama added on one last touchdown to make it a 49-27 game.

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