After Shoulder Setback Tennessee’s Reeves-Maybin Looks to Jump Up NFL Draft Big Boards

Truth be told, if you cut Jalen Reeves-Maybin open he’s pretty sure he’d bleed Tennessee Volunteer Orange.

Born in Clarksville, Tennessee,  the same home as the late and legendary Volunteer basketball coach Pat Summitt,  Reeves-Maybin enjoyed a standout career before a shoulder injury in an October game against Florida ended his career. He contemplated a medical redshirt and a return to Knoxville, but decided to enter the NFL Draft.  Since then Reeves-Maybin has had the better part of four months to get himself into shape and show NFL scouts and executives he’s healed and ready for the next level.

“I had surgery towards the end of last year and for 6-8 weeks you’re in the sling, so you’re really limited in what you can do,” Reeves-Maybin told The Outside Game in an interview this week (podcast below). “I’m just trying to work out my last few degrees of range of motion (in my shoulder) to where it’s equal to my opposite arm. It’s not holding me back from doing anything on the field.”

Most talent evaluators have Reeves-Maybin anywhere from 80-110 on the big boards. NFL.com lists his strengths as:

"“Early responder after the snap. Loves to play downhill and is always headed in that direction when necessary. Will not hesitate to take a chance and shoot a gap. Uniquely instinctive. Will rarely get trapped too far downhill that he can’t bounce out of the side door to chase when needed. Plays square and shifts and shuffles to his run fits. Easy, fluid chaser with desired flexibility in lower body for sudden change of direction. Runs well and can chase in coverage. Has burst to ball carrier as tackler. Can spring quickly into action with bounce and explosion as lateral tackler from one gap to the next. Has coverage talent. Outstanding eyes. Somehow manages to find ball carrier through all the visual trash. Stalks with patience and calm. Productive special-teams tackler”."

FanSided’s Tyler Brooke has him at the upper end of that spectrum based on instincts and landing in a familiar place, with his hometown Tennessee Titans.

"“An in-state prospect like Jalen Reeves-Maybin would be a popular one among the fans, but he’s also a solid player who could be a potential starter. He’s an instinctive linebacker who does a great job with play recognition before shooting the gap to make a play. He isn’t the biggest LB (6-foot, 230 pounds), but he does a great job of shedding blockers and making plays.”"

As far as where he’d ultimately like to land, Reeves-Maybin spoke with the utmost confidence about his flexibility. He’d love to play for his beloved Titans, who were solid against the run but could use some big time help against the pass having ranked 30th in the NFL in net passing yards. But in the end, he feels he’ll be best-suited for any situation that he goes to.

“I always took pride in being about to make something out of nothing. Whatever situation I get put in, it’s my job to be successful,” he said. “In college I always played in the 4-3 scheme but I’m fully capable of learning any defensive scheme. That’s something I’ve always prided myself on and that’s being able to pick up on things. Whatever situation I get put in I have to figure out how to maximize it.”

Reeves-Maybin understands the critics who are quick to point out his weaknesses, but despite them he knows he has a chance to move up on the boards with an impressive showing at his pro day in Knoxville, but most importantly at next weekend’s combine in Indianapolis.

“I mostly just been focusing on me. You can’t really pay too much attention to what’s being said outside your control whether it’s good or bad. I’m just really focusing on me and getting my shoulder back to 100% health and whatever happens, happens. I’m always going to have confidence in myself and always feel like I can contribute on the football field.”

We took a deeper dive:

Reeves-Maybin recorded 8 career sacks at Tennessee as a smart, calculated, low-risk/high reward pass rusher.

One of the biggest things that jumped out to me after watching tape was his anticipation on check downs and screens. Very impressive.

Again, reads the screen perfectly and fully attacks to make a big play.

Dropping back into coverage, Reeves-Maybin takes a great angle to snuff out the roll out.

Heading into the combine Reeves-Maybin is regret free after making the decision not to redshirt. He said the injury allowed him to focus on other aspects of his game, especially what he could control, and that started with his leadership skills off the field.

“It was a tough senior year because of the injuries and things like that.  After the injury I still feel like I had a big role on the team from a leadership position and just keeping the guys locked in. I still feel like I had a big role to play even though I wasn’t on the field.”

He’s hoping he can be a big contributor on the field next year at the next level and he’s about to begin the process of where that is next weekend in front of the NFL world.