Bryan Bresee scouting report: Clemson defensive sort out affords excessive upside

The 2023 NFL Draft options lots of expertise on the high, with positions like quarterback, edge rusher, cornerback, and offensive sort out more likely to dominate the primary spherical. One spot the place there’s a big lack of depth is at defensive sort out, which contains a star on the high in Georgia’s Jalen Carter however restricted choices behind him. One of probably the most intriguing prospects on this comparatively skinny place group is Clemson’s Bryan Bresee.

A former five-star recruit and high general recruit within the nation within the 2020 class, Bresee was a extremely coveted participant. He selected Clemson over many different affords and located speedy enjoying time, beginning 10 video games his freshman season. Bresee managed a third-team All-ACC choice in 2021 regardless of enjoying in solely 4 video games earlier than struggling a season-ending ACL tear.

His 2022 season was sadly impacted by a household tragedy, as Bresee’s sister, Ella, handed away from mind most cancers. He additionally missed time as a result of a kidney an infection late within the yr, ending the season with simply seven begins in 10 video games. Bresee was nonetheless awarded a second-team All-ACC choice in restricted motion.

2023 NFL Draft Selection

The new Orleans Saints chosen Bryan Bresee with the No. 29 general decide within the 2023 NFL Draft. For full protection of the Bryan Bresee decide, head over to Canal Street Chronicles.

What makes Bryan Bresee such a high-upside prospect?

Bresee is a uncommon athlete on the line of defense, and it’s apparent from the primary second you activate his tape. He’s a clean mover with elite lateral mobility for an inside defensive lineman, and appears extra like an edge rusher at occasions. Bresee additionally possesses glorious explosiveness, with a lightning-quick first step that permits him to create immediate penetration to influence performs within the backfield. His spotlight reel performs are up there with among the most spectacular defensive linemen within the class.

He’s additionally a sensible participant up entrance who’s fast to learn and react to blocks growing in entrance of him. Bresee is efficient at knifing between linemen and shortly discovering his manner into the backfield. One of his greatest traits is his motor, as Bresee is relentless when monitoring down performs in pursuit. He provides great effort on each down and doesn’t take any performs off. Bresee exhibits flashes of efficient hand utilization, notably in opposition to the run, that give lots of hope for his future projection.

Bresee additionally possesses a powerful body for the place, coming in at over 6’5 and practically 300 kilos. That, mixed together with his elite athletic profile, provides him a really excessive ceiling within the NFL. He’s additionally proven lots of versatility all through his profession at Clemson, lining up everywhere in the defensive entrance. Bresee spent a big variety of snaps enjoying each 5T and 4i defensive finish along with his reps as a 3T and even 1T defensive sort out. He’s received the motion expertise to proceed transferring round on the NFL degree, and will probably have a flexible inside/outdoors position for a a number of entrance protection.

What are the weaknesses in Bryan Bresee’s sport?

There are some things that give me pause when evaluating a prospect like Bresee. The first is the shortage of high-end manufacturing, as Bresee by no means managed greater than 4.0 sacks or 6.5 TFL in a season. Both of these career-high numbers additionally got here from his freshman season, and customarily you’re on the lookout for a participant to enhance over the course of their faculty profession. Part of the explanation for that has been injury-related—Bresee suffered an ACL tear which price him a lot of the 2021 season—and a significant knee challenge like that additionally raises attainable medical considerations.

Physically, Bresee checks all of the packing containers however one: he lacks preferrred size with simply 32.5-inch arms. That’s simply twenty fifth percentile, and has led to points with ending performs as a result of a restricted sort out radius. Bresee is a really uncooked go rusher with little in the way in which of counters, go rush strikes, or any kind of go rush plan. He’s received a protracted strategy to go earlier than he’ll be a dependable presence on passing downs. As a run defender, Bresee has some actually spectacular flashes, however the down-to-down consistency left one thing to be desired.

Bryan Bresee profession highlights

Bryan Bresee outcomes on the 2023 NFL Combine

Bryan Bresee examined out with an elite 9.61 Relative Athletic Score because of his above-average dimension and excellent velocity and agility testing. At over 6’5 and nearly 300 kilos, Bresee ran an unbelievable 4.86s 40-yard sprint and 1.65s 10-yard break up. He additionally put up a tremendous 4.38s brief shuttle and glorious 7.41s 3-cone. Bresee’s athleticism is obvious each on tape and within the Combine testing.

What others are saying about Bryan Bresee

Here’s how NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Bryan Bresee in his official scouting report:

Burly however athletic inside sort out who performs with a powerful need to get previous the person in entrance of him. Bresee hardly ever will get caught up in lengthy block engagements and possesses a deep anchor to battle double groups…If he can keep wholesome and achieve much-needed expertise, Bresee ought to proceed to progress at his place and turn into a great run defender with a capability to disrupt the pocket inside his first few NFL seasons.

Bryan Bresee is a gifted inside defensive lineman with very excessive upside and potential positional versatility. His athleticism at his dimension is uncommon and might be very tempting, notably for NFL groups with the persistence and experience to develop him. I consider persistence might be a necessity with Bresee, nonetheless, as he’s removed from a completed product as a go rusher and is at present inconsistent in opposition to the run.

Still, in what’s shaping as much as be a really skinny class at defensive sort out, I’d count on groups to take a shot on Bresee within the backside half of the primary spherical. NFL groups are at all times on the lookout for athletes with prototypical dimension and upside, and Bresee checks each of these packing containers (outdoors of arm size). The huge query is: how lengthy will it take for Bresee to place all of it collectively on the sphere?