49ers: 5 FCS Prospects to Watch at the NFL Scouting Combine
No. 2: DE Derek Rivers
A three-year starter at Youngstown State, defensive end Derek Rivers has lately begun to make a name for himself. Rivers was a late call-up to the Senior Bowl, where he impressed. The 6-foot-5 edge rusher was one of the most productive lineman last season, leading the FCS with 14 sacks.
Scouts are enamored with his athleticism, something being seen more and more with today’s pass rushers. From CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler:
"Flexible athlete with natural bend to dip around the corner. Easy burst off the edge. Extends with a quick punch to engage and create spacing while maintaining his balance and low pad level … Flashes the ability to convert speed to power in his pass rush. Moves well laterally to sidestep blockers."
A 6-foot-5 rusher who can move well laterally is not something you come across every day. Player uniqueness throws a wrinkle into a defensive coordinator’s game plan. And Rivers isn’t just impressive on the field. He’s incredibly strong:
@D_Rivers11 hitting 34 reps on the 225 bench press during @IgnitionAPG mock combine. #godstrong pic.twitter.com/Wp3BpxlyIi
— Ignition APG (@IgnitionAPG) February 23, 2017
That is strength desired across all NFL teams, and Rivers will surely turn heads when he heads to the measuring portion of the combine.
Ranked as the ninth overall defensive end, Rivers is a projected third-round pick — that might change significantly soon though.