Senior Bowl Risers
By David Johns
Dec 26, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Aaron Donald (97) during the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ford Field. Pittsburgh Panthers defeated Bowling Green Falcons 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh:
Donald received the 2014 most dominant practice player award at Senior Bowl practices. He’s the winner of 2013 Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski, and Outland trophies in addition to being named ACC defensive player of the year. Standing at 6’1 and 288 lbs., Donald really isn’t the prototypical defensive tackle. Those who questioned his size…well they are probably eating crow. He completely dominated Baylor’s mammoth guard, Cyril Richardson. Donald is able to shoot the gaps with speed and make himself a smaller target which in turn makes it difficult to get a hand on for interior offensive linemen. He recorded a ridiculously silly 28 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 3 passes defended, 16 QB hurries, 4 forced fumbles, and a blocked kick in 2013. He will not last very long in this year’s draft. Am I against drafting a defensive tackle at 3? Boy, he’d certainly have to be special. On a defense that simply didn’t get to the quarterback enough, I’m for anything that improves the pass rush.