Commentary

Personnel Points: David shines

Nebraska linebacker among players who impressed Mel over the weekend

Originally Published: October 10, 2011

By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider

Each week, Mel Kiper gives updates on another group of prospects who have caught his eye, some well-known, others well under the radar.

Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Trailing 27-6 in the third quarter and with Ohio State facing a third-and-5, Nebraska needed a stop in the worst way. When OSU freshman quarterback Braxton Miller rushed for the first down, things appeared to be very bleak for the Cornhuskers. But that's when David helped save the day by stripping the ball from Miller and recovering the fumble. It completely changed the tone of the game, and the Cornhuskers went on to a 34-27 victory.

David finished with a game-high 13 stops, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In his first year as a starter in 2010, he had 152 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks and 10 pass breakups. The 152 tackles was a school record and 53 more than the next Cornhusker. When you combine his great instincts and speed to the football, it equals someone who is seemingly always around the action. And you aren't as productive as he's been without having a very good work ethic.

The only concern I had last season when watching David was his lack of size. But that's no longer an issue, as he currently checks in at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. Currently a second-rounder on my board, I would not be the least bit surprised to see David produce better results in the NFL than a number of players who will be hearing their names called in the first round of the 2012 draft.

Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma Sooners