2015 NFL Combine Preview: USC LB Hayes Pullard

USC linebacker Hayes Pullard is headed to the 2015 NFL Combine in hopes of improving his stock in the upcoming NFL Draft.

What did he do at USC?

After sitting out his first season, Pullard burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman, starting every game for the Trojans at linebacker and leading the team in tackles. That season he earned an All-Pac-12 honorable mention to go along with multiple first team freshman All-American honors.

As a sophomore, Pullard was second among Trojans in tackles, to go along with a pick six in the season opener. Established as a mainstay of the USC defense, he was named an All-Pac-12 honorable mention once more.

Named a captain for his junior season, Pullard was back at the top in tackles for USC and earned an All-Pac-12 second team spot.

Pullard returned for his senior year at middle linebacker and was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. He started every game for the Trojans except against Boston College because he was ejected for targeting the the prior game against Stanford. For the third time in his career he was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention while leading USC in tackles.

What’s his current draft stock?

Projections put Pullard in the mid-to-late draft range.

His production in college in terms of starts, tackles and leadership cannot be denied, but scouts wonder if he has the “it” factor to be more than a back up at the NFL level.

While lacking an aggressive strike as a tackler, Pullard has the athleticism to be a solid NFL player. He has to find a scheme that can keep him clean or he might be just another linebacker. — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Physically, Pullard has the tools, though he may be a tad small for the position.

Mentally, his game intelligence could prove the difference maker on his NFL success, though there’s a question to be asked about the level of his aggression.

His lack of sacks raises some eyebrows as well.

What can he improve?

Pullard’s strength may be less than ideal, so a strong showing in the bench press couldn’t hurt.

The pass rush drill could provide him the opportunity to show that his lack of sacks in recent years was more related to the defensive scheme than his own ability.

More NFL Combine previews:

• Leonard Williams
• Nelson Agholor
• Buck Allen
• J.R. Tavai
• Josh Shaw
• Randall Telfer (Sunday)

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