Ohio State football: Pete Werner makes decision on NFL future
Ohio State football loses another to the NFL Draft with Pete Werner the latest Buckeye to declare.
Ohio State football will add another defensive player to their list of NFL prospects after Pete Werner declared Thursday afternoon.
Werner finishes his career at the Ohio State University with 185 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, four sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He earned an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention as a junior, was named to the 2020-21 Preseason Butkus Award Watchlist, and became a semifinalist for that award.
It’s not hard to see why. Werner led by example on the football field. He can make plays in all three phases. He has the speed to rush the passer and get to the football, he comes downhill in run support and rarely misses a tackle, and in pass defense, he has good ball skills. Pass defense skills at the linebacker position are coveted at the next level.
After recording nine tackles as a freshman, Pete Werner had 50-plua the next three seasons.
Forever a Buckeye ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lpkBC2vdV9
— Pete Werner (@petewerner23) January 21, 2021
Werner is projected as a day two or day three player in the draft.
According to Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings, the 6-foot-3, 242-pounder from Indianapolis, Ind., would be a good fit for the Packers, Rams, Browns and Eagles. Cummings believes that Werner would fit well in a 4-3 defensive system. He also mentioned in his prospect analysis that the knock on Werner’s game isn’t about athleticism. It’s more so about reading keys in real-time, which young players have to learn in the NFL.
According to Mark Russell of USA Today Buckeyes Wire, Werner received high praise from ESPN’s Todd McShay. He said that Werner is his favorite prospect who won’t be drafted on day one. McShay cited his length and recognition skills in pass coverage, his ability to disrupt plays as a pass rusher, and his closing speed in run support.
Next. 25 best college football stadiums to watch a game. dark
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.