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Quentin Groves is another converted defensive end who looks to project at linebacker at the NFl level. Unlike some other prospects it doesn’t look like groves will try playing both positions, he strictly looks like an outside linebacker…but he is a very good one.
*Quentin Groves, Linebacker, Auburn*
Senior , 6-3, 250
*Strengths:* Range
*Weaknesses:* Upper body strength *Statline:* 75 tackles with 19 coming for loss and 12.5 quarterback sacks over the last two seasons, primarily as a defensive end. Had 23 quarterback pressures in 2007. *Technique:* Fantastic range and ability even though straightline and open field speed seem to be average to a little slower at best for Connor. Sound tackler who rarely fails to wrap up a ball carrier. *Known Injuries:* Groves had a healthy career at Auburn until his senior season when he was bothered by a bunch of nagging injuries. The latest injury for Groves is a shoulder injury he suffered in Auburn’s Bowl Game and it kept him out of the Senior Bowl. Groves looked well at his workout and his shoulder tested about 90% according to some of the teams that I talked to that tested his shoulder strength and his range of motion is unaffected. *Combine / Workout Assessment*: 4.57 in the 40 yard dash with 31 reps at 225. Groves had a 1.58 in the 10-yard dash one of the fastest times at his position. *DJ Boyer's Analysis:* Quentin Groves is one of those high energy guys that seems to move at about 100 mph for every play he is on the football field. Looks like the classic go-go-go type of pass rusher that you can run at and seems to lack the run/pass recognition skills at this time in his career. With Groves he gets a bit of a reprieve because he looks like he will be playing outside linebacker at the NFL level and played most of his collegiate days as a defensive end. Groves has shown the
speed to play the position and his strength numbers at the Combine seemed to open a lot of eyes. What I like about Groves is his ability to reach the quarterback after initially being blocked, he just doesn’t let up. Many of his 23 quarterback pressures came on plays where he was wrapped up initially by a defender, not a lot of free looks at the quarterback. He forced quarterbacks into making a lot of mistakes and throwing a lot of balls away, something that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. Needs to learn some more pass rushing moves as most of his pressures have been through persistence and balance, will need a little more to be successful in the NFL. Groves may be nothing but a situational pass-rusher at the NFL level but he has all the tools to be very very good at it.
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