ESPN.com evaluation: DE Mathias Kiwanuka

Editor's note: Practice notes will be updated daily and a final report will be completed on Friday, Jan. 27.

Mathias Kiwanuka started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2003 and was named to the All-Big East first team after finishing with 83 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. As a junior in 2004, he finished tied for fifth place nationally with 11.5 sacks, while also notching 67 tackles, 24.5 TFL and two INTs. As a senior in 2005, Kiwanuka finished with 51 tackles, 16.5 TFL and 9.5 sacks despite missing nearly two full games (Virginia and Wake Forest) with a knee injury.

After the injury, he did not seem to play with the same aggressiveness displayed earlier in his career. Kiwanuka possesses outstanding athletic ability and speed for his frame, and his production at the collegiate level was exceptional. He is a tall DE prospect with great size potential, but there is some concern regarding his inability to add extra bulk and to hold up at the point of attack against the run.

In order to maximize his physical skills in the NFL, Kiwanuka will need to get bigger and stronger, while also improving his overall technique. In order to maximize his draft status, Kiwanuka must play with good leverage and show the ability to hold his ground against top offensive linemen during this week's practices and game at the Senior Bowl.

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