Personnel Points: Kuechly impresses

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

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College Eagles

The 6-foot-2½, 237-pound junior is the definition of a tackling machine. As a freshman, he started all but one game for the Eagles and went on to finish second in the country with 158 tackles. That effort earned him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Switched from outside to middle linebacker as a sophomore, Kuechly led the country in tackles while setting a single-season school record with 183.

Through 10 games this season, he is tops on the team in tackles (168), tackles for loss (10) and interceptions (two); Kuechly has a mere 103 more tackles than any other BC player. In Boston College's 14-10 win against the North Carolina State Wolfpack, he led the way with 18 tackles (1.5 of those for loss). The thing I liked most was how well he broke down in space in the short-intermediate passing game and made stops. In terms of his pro potential, Kuechly isn't the physical specimen that some of the other highly rated juniors are at the position, but his read/react ability is as good as it gets. His production is off the charts. He's a very well-rounded player and has a great passion for the game.

Tramain Thomas, S, Arkansas Razorbacks

To read more about which players Mel was impressed with this past weekend, sign up for ESPN Insider.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe

Mel Kiper Jr.

Football analyst

• Archive

• ESPN NFL Draft analyst since 1984
• Contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio
• Writes weekly for ESPN Insider