Audie Cole showed some strengths that NFL teams will love and one big weakness.
Here are how the 2012 NFL Draft prospects performed in the Belk Bowl.
Scout more than 100 games including all the bowl games in our Film Room Archive.
#42 LB Audie Cole, NC State
-Playing ILB and OLB at times.
-Good depth in his drop.
-Bites on play-action, hustles 40 yards down the field to make the tackle.
-Looks slow on his blitz.
-Reads wildcat well, just not enough speed to get to the ball-carrier.
-Sticks on Chichester well, doesn’t buy his fake.
-Takes poor angle on swing pass, can’t get to the outside in time.
-Reads the play early, makes form tackle in the backfield.
-Blitzes from OLB position, can’t chase QB down after getting past RB block.
-On slot WR, no chance to stay with him.
-Walled off by OG at the 2nd level, doesn’t have the speed to run around blocks.
-Reads wildcat play quickly, picks his way through trash and helps on TFL.
-Juked by WR in open field – can’t make the tackle.
-Great instincts, knows where the play is going, runs past Chichester’s “ole” block and makes huge TFL on 4th and 1.
-Comes on three-straight blitzes, no pressure – might have just been contain rushes.
-Blitzes, walled off from RB easily by RT.
-Loafs getting over to help on tackle, RB pops loose for 10 more yards.
-Love his tackling, instincts, and technique, but his lack of speed is very apparent. Completely ineffective rushing the passer and not the greatest in coverage. If a team is looking for a run-stuffer inside, I’d spend a 4th-rounder on Cole at best.
#11 TE Josh Chichester, Louisville
-Looks all of 6’8″.
-Doesn’t sell his route on the goal-line at all.
-Gets layed out trying to block.
-Trying hard, but doesn’t seem to have the strength to block in the NFL.
-Weak blocking attempt on LB.
-Re-directs blitzing LB perfectly, uses his speed against him.
-Can’t come up with a catch thrown low and behind.
-Whiffs blocking Cole, leads to turnover on downs.
-Not being targeted in the red-zone.
-Can’t haul in tough over-the-shoulder catch.
-Very disappointed by Chichester in this game. Had him as a draftable prospect but see him as more of an UDFA at this point.
#55 OC Mario Benavides, Louisville
-Walls off man inside, good footwork.
-Bull rush pushes back into pocket, overwhelmed.
-Sets himself much better, getting some help from his guards.
-Misses Cole on the blitz.
-Puts DT on the ground in pass protection.
-Not quick enough to get over to DT, allows pressure.
-Makes a lunging cut attempt, pretty weak.
-Didn’t see Benavides really flash anything special, although he didn’t make a ton of mistakes either. Could be a 5th-6th round pick at best.
Tags: 2012 NFL Draft, Audie Cole, Bowl Game, Film Room
