SI All-American Candidate: Iowa Hawkeyes Commitment Max Llewellyn

A look at the Urbandale defensive end in the 2021 recruiting class.

A breakdown of defensive end Max Llewellyn, a Class of 2021 verbal commitment for Iowa who is a candidate for Sports Illustrated All-American.

Personal

Position — Defensive end

Height — 6-5

Weight — 230 pounds

Hometown — Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale High School)

Committed — April 22, 2020

Other offers — Illinois State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State, Western Michigan.

Notes — One of three defensive end commitments in Iowa's 2021 recruiting class. ... Listed as one of the top SI All-American candidates in Iowa.

Urbandale High School's Max Llewellyn (4), who has verbal committed to Iowa, is a Sports Illustrated All-American candidate. (Lee Navin/Des Moines Register-Imagn Content Services)

SI All-American's analysis

Frame: Llewellyn is long and lean. He needs to add more muscle and weight at the next level, but he has a frame to handle it well.

Athleticism: Llewellyn shows a good first step and good speed. He is a smooth athlete in space. He shows strength to split double teams and use an effective bull rush. High motor, but needs to improve balance and short area quickness.

Instincts: Llewellyn makes hustle plays all over the field. Works to get to the ball carrier, fights though contact, and does not quit on plays. Plays and works through the whistle.

Polish: Solid hand technique with multiple moves he can go to in order to defeat double teams or rush the passer. Pursuit angles once past the offensive line will be a point of growth, as will his balance turning the corner on a tackle.

Bottom Line: There will be some adjustment required by Llewellyn at the next level, both in the talent he faces and time to prepare himself physically. He will need to add weight and muscle to hold up on a Power 5 line, but he has good technique, a good frame, good speed, and a high motor. Should take coaching well and should develop into an impactful starter.