Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, NFL Draft

Strengths:
   • Rangy with good height, bulk and decent length
   • Good speed and quickness w/ a nice initial burst
   • Above average strength and flashes some power
   • Adequate range and does a solid job in pursuit
   • Reliable tackler who will usually wrap up securely
   • Normally hustles and plays w/ pretty good motor
   • Productive with a knack for making impact plays
   • May offer positional and / or schematic versatility
   • Dedicated and hard working w/ leadership ability
   • Is still developing and has considerable upside

Weaknesses:
   • Instincts and overall awareness are questionable
   • A tad stiff with just average athleticism and agility
   • Slow to change directions and doesn't redirect well
   • Limited repertoire of pass rush moves and counters
   • Seems to have a lot of trouble disengaging blocks
   • Struggles to anchor and lackluster against the run
   • Tendency for pads to rise and gets pushed around
   • Does not have as much experience as you'd prefer

Injury History:
   • Lost 3/4" of left index finger in weight room accident

Notes:
Last name is pronounced "MER-sil-us" --- Was just a one-year starter for Fighting Illini --- Served as a team captain --- Parents are originally from Haiti --- Consensus 1st Team All-American in 2011 --- Named 1st Team All-Big Ten in 2011 --- Won the Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end in 2011 --- Named the College Football Performance Awards National Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 --- Tied Simeon Rice's single-season school record and led the nation with 16.0 sacks in 2011 --- Set the Illinois and Big Ten record with 9 forced fumbles in 2011 --- Also being looked at as a potential 3-4 outside linebacker --- A one-year wonder who is not quite the top prospect that the stat sheet might otherwise suggest --- Possesses some intriguing physical tools and intangibles and has starter potential but will require development.

NFL Player Comparison: Derrick Harvey

Career Statistics
Year	GP	TKL	TFL	SACK
2008	RS	-	-	-
2009	11	8	3.5	1.0
2010	13	16	3.0	1.0
2011	13	57	22.5	16.0
Totals	37	81	29.0	18.0