Hau'Oli Kikaha Scouting Reports

walter-

Strengths:
Natural pass-rusher
Extremely consistent with sack production
Excellent in pursuit
Can bend around the edge
Has some pass-rushing moves
Good tackler
Closes quickly
Instinctive
Smart
Agile
Ready to play immediately in the NFL
Good motor
Can use his hands and feet at the same time
Great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker
Durable
Experienced

Weaknesses:
Could stand to improve downhill run defense
Not overly big or physical
Quick, but not fast off the edge
Undersized
Can struggle in coverage
Scheme limitations
Too small for 4-3 defensive end
Not a great fit as a 4-3 outside linebacker
May not have the frame to get much bigger
Missed 2012 with a knee injury


Summary: Kikaha was one of the nation's best pass-rushers across the last few years. He had a slow start to his career as he was a backup in his first couple of seasons. Kikaha also missed 2012 with a knee injury, but he came out of nowhere to be one of the best pass-rushers in college football in 2013.

Kikaha ripped off 13 sacks with 70 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and three passes batted in 2013. He was even better in 2014. The senior led the nation in sacks with 19 and was a pass-rushing force from start to finish. He also had 66 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and two passes batted. Kikaha was extremely consistent, recording a sack in every game. He had five multi-sack games, including three with more than two sacks.

At the Senior Bowl, Kikaha illustrated that he needs some work for the NFL as an outside linebacker. He also isn't large enough to be more than a situational defensive end for obvious passing plays if he were drafted into a 4-3 defense. Still, Kikaha is a natural edge rusher. He is quick off the edge with good hands and agility to get by blockers. Kikaha is just a natural pass-rusher with good instincts on how to take on blockers and get to the quarterback. He closes on the signal caller and produces a lot of pressures even when he comes up short of a sack.

As a run-defender, Kikaha is better in pursuit. It would help him to add 5-10 pounds of muscle to hold up in the NFL when runs come downhill straight at him. He will have to move to outside linebacker in the NFL in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. The 3-4 would be his best fit. In a 4-3, Kikaha would be a Sam (strongside) linebacker who rushes off the edge in obvious passing situations. Either position will take some transition time compared to how he played in college, so there shouldn't be expectations that the rookie will be a double-digit sacker straight away. Kikaha may take some time, but he seems to have the natural pass-rush skills and the desire to become a quality NFL contributor.

Kikaha looks like he could go in the second or third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Player Comparison: Bruce Irvin. Kikaha isn't as good of an athlete as Irvin or as fast, but they are a similar size. Irvin (6-3, 248) has flashed some pass-rush skills in the NFL but the Seahawks rotational edge rusher hasn't been all that consistent. I could see Kikaha being a similar type player. He looks like a second-day pick, which is where Irvin should have gone.
Read more at https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2015hkikaha.php#18eYzxLLmPly6KHD.99

nfl.com-

"The Washington football team had a few guys on defense last year. Kikaha led the nation in sacks. He gets to the quarterback in a variety of ways. His effort is outstanding. You're drafting him to get to the quarterback" -- Daniel Jeremiah

STRENGTHS Relentless. Bends the edge hard. Plays with his hand on the ground and stands up. Scheme versatile. Best fit is in 3-4. Intelligent player. Saw a streak of 14 consecutive games with a sack broken at Arizona in 2014. Excellent with his hands, possessing a variety of techniques. Was a judo champion when he was younger and a high school wrestler, so he understands hand placement and leverage. Good change of direction. Maintains low center of gravity on his rush without losing his wheels. Ability to recover and get back into a play.
WEAKNESSES Can get swallowed up in the run game at defensive end. Has had knee issues in prior seasons. Perceived as a one-trick pony (pass-rush specialist). Upfield specialist and doesn't set the edge consistently. Needs work on playing consistently in space. Gets overly aggressive at times. Has had two ACL injuries and medicals will need to be scrutinized.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 2 or 3
NFL COMPARISON Rob Ninkovich
BOTTOM LINE Kikaha is the most accomplished pure pass rusher in this draft class. Relies on a relentless motor off the edge more than athleticism. He has an elite determination to get to the quarterback. While he seems to specialize in just rushing the passer, Kikaha has the power, hands and frame to improve against the run. It might take some work to get fully comfortable as a stand-up 3-4 OLB, but Kikaha is a very safe draft prospect as long as his medicals check out.

more- Q: What position do you want to play at the next level?
A: I need to get after that quarterback, that's my preferred position.

rotoworld comments-

Described as a "hungry dog in the wild" by ESPN's Todd McShay, Kikaha's calling cards are his relentless motor and power rush. He also flashed an ability to bend the edge in college. May 1 - 8:15 PM

McShay writes that Washington edge rusher Hau'oli Kikaha "is one of my favorite players in this draft class."
"He doesn't have the timed speed of the top pass-rusher prospects, but he's effective at getting to the quarterback because of his power, his relentless motor and his ability to finish plays," McShay wrote. "He isn't discouraged if his initial plan fails; in fact, one of the things I like most about him is that he frequently shows a counter-punch when reached by the offensive lineman." McShay ranks Kikaha No. 36 overall, joining Rotoworld in the front seat of Kikaha's bandwagon. "Whether it's converting speed to power, or moving back to the inside, or continuing with relentless pursuit, he consistently manages to be disruptive as a result of his second effort," McShay wrote. The analyst also praised Kikaha's ability to set the edge versus the run.

Big Board Survey
drafttek 80
GBN 128
CBS 98
draft countdown 70