Athleticism: 7.02

Q.A.B. / C.O.D.: 7.50

Unique athleticism for a NT. Was a high school cheerleader, and can do a jumping toe tap, as well as being able to do a backflip from a standing position at almost 350lbs. Very good lateral agility, and fluidity for such a big bodied DL. Terrific upper body strength, and very good lower body bulk. Has shorter arms than what you would like for an IDL, but uses impressive hand strength, and usage to disengage from blocks.

Flexibility: 7.30

Able to slip past OL with surprising fluidity, and can make himself skinny when he sees daylight. Has the rare ability to win with strength or quickness. Loose hipped DL, who makes a large number of plays laterally.

Explosiveness: 6.10

Does not have an explosive first step, rather he is a bull in a china shop that can bully OL.

Playing Speed: 6.50

Very good short area burst and lateral agility, but does not possess great long speed. At his best making plays closer to the LOS.

Coordination: 7.70

Tremendously balanced DL who is a smooth mover in space, does not show a lot of stiffness in his movements. Does not spend a lot of time on the ground.

Pass Rush Ability: 6.66

Initial Quickness: 5.90

Adequate first step off the ball, and will initiate contact with OL. Continually hands fights or anchors against opposition until he gets a chance to make a play on the ball.

Use of Hands: 7.30

Very good hands fighter, and will unleash chops, rips, and punches to try and disengage from blocks.

Leverage: 6.40

Inconsistent with his use of leverage. Has a natural advantage being on the shorter side of DL, but losses that advantage because he has a tendency to pop upright out of his stance, which allows OL to drive he backwards. He still will find a way to hold his ground though due to his terrific upper body strength.

Pass Rush Moves: 6.50

For a IDL, especially one who plays the majority of his reps at NT or 1T he has a good assortment of moves that include: bull rush, dip, spin, rip, and swim.

Finish Ability: 7.20

Is the rare DL who will not only two gap, but disengage and put a hit on ball carrier. Doesn't let player get loose from his grasp.

Competitiveness: 6.63

Toughness: 7.30

Willing to play through pain, and loves doing the dirty work to open up opportunities for his LB corp behind him. Willing to two-gap, and fight OL with good stamina.

Consistency/Motor: 6.70

Good stamina for a NT, and played in approximately 60-70% of total snaps on the games I viewed. Effectiveness was the same early on as it was late in game.

Production: 5.90

Adequate production for a NT, but his numbers won't jump off the screen. His impact can be best weighed by the success of the LB's corps. around him, and they flourished.

Against The Run: 7.10

Play with Leverage: 6.40

Inconsistent with his use of leverage. Has a natural advantage being on the shorter side of DL, but losses that advantage because he has a tendency to pop upright out of his stance, which allows OL to drive he backwards. He still will find a way to hold his ground though due to his terrific upper body strength.

Stack and Shed: 7.20

Utilizing his hand usage, upper body strength, and fluidity he seems to be able to shed blocks at a high rate of success if that is what the play calls for, but on most plays he sacrifices his own numbers for the sake of others.

Gap Shooting Ability: 7.30

Can get skinny through gaps, and slip past OL trying to engage him. Lateral agility allows him to be able to flow from sideline to sideline, and make plays.

Run at Him: 7.30

When he utilizes good leverage, he can be an absolute rock at the LOS for OL to try and move. He can bottle up rushing lanes, and allow his teammates to bring them down for a loss

Run Away: 7.20

Hustles to the ball in back side pursuit with great energy. Will maintain gap integrity if the play calls for him to set an edge.

Tackling/Hitting: 7.20

Heavy hitter due to his build, and is a sure tackler that does not allow ball carrier to elude him when he gets his hands on them.

Intelligence: 7.10

Instincts: 7.20

Extremely intelligent DL, who recognizes blocking schemes, as well as the cadence of how a play is to develop. Will adjust his game plan on how to attack OL he is battling on a down to down basis.

Learn/Retain: 6.70

Played majority of his snaps as a NT or 1T, but showed that he could be relied upon in rare instances to play anywhere from 2-Tech to outside at 6-Tech.

Teamwork: 7.40

Fun loving personality that plays the ukulele, his teammates loved him, and appreciated all the dirty work he did to allow them to put up big numbers.

STRENGTHS:

Strong and Burly NT, who has unique athleticism to make plays laterally. Shows an ability to two-gap, and keep his LB's clean to make plays. Able to get skinny and shoot gaps to be able to stifle runners in the backfield. Is a vaunted hands fighter who will keep competing until he hears the whistle blow. As a pass rusher he can push the pocket, and collapse it onto the QB's feet, and he has a nice toolbox of pass rushing moves. Can feel how OL are going to attack him, and adjust to be able to make positive plays. Heavy hitter who willing to do the dirty work to let his teammates excel, very selfless personality.

WEAKNESSES:

Needs a defensive coordinator to coach him hard in the art of leverage, and how to stay low off the snap, because he gets pushed off the ball too often for his build and strength. He is slightly top heavy, and could stand to continue building lower body strength to help him anchor in run defense. Simply does not possess elite first step quickness, and his value will reflect that of a two-down run stuffing NT.

BIG PICTURE:

Sagapolu was a dominant personality in Wisconsin defense, and is a selfless teammate who sacrifices his own stats for the betterment of his teammates. He will not appeal to all teams, and will be somewhat pigeonholed to being valued by teams running a two-gap system, like a 3-4 defense, or as a run stuffing 1-Tech in a 4-3.

Projected Round: 4-6

Team Fits: Bengals, Steelers, Broncos, Vikings, Eagles, Patriots, Saints, Lions

NFL Comp: Domata Peko

Olive Sagapolu

Position: Defensive Tackle

College: Wisconsin

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 342 lbs

SCOUTING GRADE

6.67

Injury History: 2018: Right Arm Injury (Missed final 5 games)

Games Evaluated: 2018: Iowa, Michigan, 2017: Miami(Fl.)

Scout: Roy Countryman

Scouting Report