Only a Junior. 3 year starter (29 games). Finished his career with 16.5 TFLs, 6 sacks, 4 INTs, and 3 FFs. Posted a lot of tackles as well. Undersized, but active MLB. Moves well laterally. Shows good range. Makes plays all over the field. Nose for the ball. Can hit. Will struggle when OL get to him. Lacks the strength and bulk to shed blocks. At his best when he's allowed to freely run to the ball. Active. Sees the field really well. Smart player who exhibits excellent situational awareness. Good instincts. Will blitz, but I haven’t seen him get much pressure. Changes direction well. Has some quickness. Looks pretty athletic. Lacks top speed. Does go all out all the time. High character, high motor guy. Leader. Redshirted in '03, so it isn't like he's a young kid going early. He'll be 22 when the NFL season starts. Ran a 5.00 at the Combine. That is awful. Only weighed 231. Tried to run at his Pro Day, but pulled his hamstring. Aside from the 40, he had a terrific Combine. Jumped and lifted well. Showed quickness and agility. Just flat out lacks top end speed.
SUMMARY
Some want to call him the next Zach Thomas or Lofa Tatupu. Maybe. Those guys made more plays and worked out better than Abbate. I think Jon goes late in the Draft. He's got a chance to make it because he is smart and instinctive. Uphill battle. |