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MOBILE, Ala. — Former BYU defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah vaulted into the top five at the NFL Draft last year after demonstrating his skills in the week of practice leading up to, and in, the Senior Bowl.
The 2014 game in Mobile, Ala., offers a similar opportunity for Kyle Van Noy, who racked up so many postseason accolades that it’s hard to keep track of them all.
Of course, in Ansah’s case, his eventual (recently fired) head coach in Detroit, Jim Schwartz coached his Senior Bowl South team, allowing Ansah the chance to earn Schwartz’s vote of confidence.
Van Noy is listed anywhere from the third- to seventh-best outside linebacker available by the majority of draft pundits, and, with the Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff leading his south side, he may at least be able to improve his stock enough to avoid falling out of the second round’s top 10.
1. Kyle Van Noy has been great on field/off. Scout told me he could be most intelligent of LB's here. Taught Ziggy Ansah the game at BYU. — P. Schrager (@PSchrags) January 23, 2014
The man known by three initials in Provo is currently projected to land somewhere near the end of the first round or the early stages of the second round. The Jaguars hold the third overall pick in the draft as well as the seventh choice (39th overall) in the second round.
Various teams have gaping holes at pass rusher, though, so it wouldn’t be much of a reach if he was off the board before any of the 2014 NFL playoff teams picks, beginning at 21.
To gauge the Reno, Nev., native’s progress in one of his most important workouts in front of NFL decision-makers prior to the NFL Combine, which runs Feb. 22-25, various scouts are reporting from Mobile.
So far, Kyle Van Noy has been top LB in each drill. Picking up RBs, physical/tight with TEs, looking balanced throughout. #SeniorBowl — Eric Galko (@OptimumScouting) January 20, 2014
Eric Galko lists Van Noy as the third-best OLB on his site, just ahead of two players that beat Van Noy out on the All-America first and second teams in Anthony Barr of UCLA and Khalil Mack of Buffalo.
Barr is bigger and is touted as more of a physical player in run defense than Van Noy, while Mack’s height and weight are nearly identical to the BYU grad.
Kyle Van Noy, the most underrated player at the Senior Bowl, checked in at 6-3 1/4, 244. Perfect 3-4 buck. — James C Wexell (@jimwexell) January 20, 2014
A consensus seems to have developed during KVN’s career as a Cougar that he is more suited to a 3-4 defense as the Sam, or strongside linebacker.
Van Noy had most of his success corralling quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage within BYU’s modified 3-4 base. However, the most overlooked aspect of his senior season might’ve been his strides defending pass catchers and stopping the rush.
Any team that employs a 3-4 scheme will likely place more value on Van Noy. It just seems naïve to think he could only fit into a professional role where he’s defined by his skills in the pass rush.
Kyle Van Noy 6032 244 ...not very impressive physique. Teams want to see him win at POA more — Michael Schottey (@Schottey) January 20, 2014
This critique of Van Noy appears to be the most prevalent and is fair. On the next level, he’ll be going against offensive tackles with 70 pounds on him, so to require that he be more dominant at the point of attack is asking a lot but that’s professional football.
Despite his naysayers, film shows Van Noy’s mastery of the swim move and the club to get by offensive linemen. Combined with his speed and natural instincts, it would be odd to see him slip past the handful of teams with early picks in the second round.
Dan Greenspan, of College Football 24/7, writes that Van Noy has shown the versatility at Senior Bowl practice to play in different systems.
Van Noy said in a recent interview with 1320 KFAN that he isn’t worried about what the critics say because he knows all it takes is “one team falling in love” with his skill set. He has reportedly already met with the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Diego Chargers and will likely meet with other teams before the week is over.
While Van Noy’s stock is trending upward, fellow Cougar standout Cody Hoffman is entrenched in a battle with numerous talented wide receivers at the Senior Bowl.
Projected to be taken on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7), Hoffman has the chance to make a more substantial climb than Van Noy up the draft boards.
Cody Hoffman uses his body better than any wide out here. Nearly impossible to cover on quick slants 1-on-1s #south — Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) January 22, 2014
Hoffman has been knocked for his speed, but his hands, length and height make him [more than an attractive prospect](http://college2pro.com/showSingleArticle.php?id=444&page=browseArticles&category=All+Star+Games#.Ut4XNissclY.twitter) to NFL general managers.
The all-time BYU leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns said he met with Ansah’s team, the Detroit Lions, Wednesday.
Playing opposite Calvin “Megatron” Johnson would give Lions quarterback Matt Stafford another big option.
Hoffman will likely land on a team in need of a possession receiver, a valuable commodity in today’s NFL.
