Day plays stronger than his measurements might indicate. Heady and hustling, he also holds his ground against double teams and may have the best hands of any lineman in the draft. Day played inside and outside for the Irish, regularly making plays in the backfield in 2015 (15.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, 13 quarterback hurries) on his way to USA Today first-team All-American honors. The three-year starter nearly matched his career tackle for loss total (16.5) and exceeded his sack total (3.5) despite being the focus of opposing offenses.


PRO DAY RESULTS  

Bench press: 26 reps of 225 pounds

 

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS  

Has experience at defensive end and tackle. Outstanding quickness off snap and is into gaps before you know it. Noticeably quicker than guards attempting to block him when rushing from inside. Rusher with a pre-­snap plan and a quality counter moves if initial rush is thwarted. Uncommon athleticism for a squatty body type. Fluid drops into space on zone blitzes with unheard of ability to mirror and match receivers in zone. Quick hands and wastes no time shedding single blocks. Has arm­-over pet move. Feels down-blocks and fights against them. Works for arm extension and looks to squeeze his gap vs. run. Motor never stops. Lateral quickness could make him a terror in twisting pass ­rush.

 

WEAKNESSES  Frame is lacking the pure bulk to make a living inside and the length to become a consistent pass rusher off the edge. Might be caught between positions. A good double team will overwhelm him at point of attack. Doesnt have power to be consistent bull­-rush threat. Attacks in gaps and on the edges and if he doesnt win there, rush effectiveness drops significantly. Pass rush production was just OK.

 

DRAFT PROJECTION  

Rounds 3 or 4

 

NFL COMPARISON

 Mike Daniels

 

BOTTOM LINE

 Appears to be a man without a true position, but good football players find spots on rosters and snaps on the field. Day makes up for his undersized frame with quick hands, impressive lateral movement and effort level that is rarely matched. There will be teams who scratch him off their draft board due to size and scheme concerns, but his ability to rush the passer from the interior will be sought out by others who recognize his potential value.

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