Scouting report: Zack Follett

6’2, 238 pounds | California | Outside linebacker
Strengths; A passionate football player who goes all out on the field, Follett is primarily a pass rusher who is quick off the snap. When blitzing, Follett displays the ability to shake linemen and burst around them. Incredibly strong for a linebacker. Uses his strength to deliver devastating hits. Good at stacking and shedding. Closes on the ball when he has enough time to diagnose where it’s going. Forced eight fumbles in his career.

Weaknesses: Where Follett struggles the most is moving laterally, especially in pass coverage. When he’s asked to drop, he stands straight up and isn’t fluid in his movements. Will have trouble making open field tackles when he doesn’t have help. Has an odd tackling motion where he lowers his head. That may have led to a neck stinger in 2007, which knocked him out of three games. Needs to do better sinking his hips and driving through the ball carrier. Overruns the play against the run because he almost always goes after the quarterback. Struggles with play action.
Final word: Follett had a productive career, finishing with 23.5 sacks and 51 tackles for a loss. At Cal, Follett made his name as a pass rusher. Because of that, he doesn’t possess a lot of skill against the run and dropping in coverage. He is a good pass rusher, though, thanks in large part to his strength and explosive quickness.
Round projection: 4