2011 Spartan Nation Football Profile: #91 DE Tyler Hoover

2011 Spartan Nation Football Profile: #91 DE Tyler Hoover

Expectation:Â Starting DE

Height:  6’7”

Weight:Â 290#

2011 Eligibility:Â Junior

EXP:Â 2 Letters

Status:Â Starting DE

Strengths: When Hoover is on, he can be a massive game changer. Let me give a great example of play that he didn’t even make a tackle on to prove it. Against Notre Dame in the first quarter with 14:56 on the clock, the Irish had a first and ten at their own 24. When he couldn’t get to the QB, Hoover got his hands in the air and forced the QB off of his primary WR and had to switch his read. Hoover can make all the plays, but when he is on technique wise he goes from good to great.

Weakness: Against FAU last year in the first quarter the Owls had 2:51 on the clock. When Hoover didn’t maintain a low pad level the OT stood him right up and took him out of the play. When he gets tired (it is normal at 6’7”) he sometimes isn’t diligent with keeping his pads low and then he becomes a victim of his massive frame. The good news is that it happens rarely now, but when it does, it is his major weakness.

Final Analysis: A great kid, Hoover loves the game of football. He is refreshingly modest and takes coaching. He is a sponge. When he makes a mistake, he is the kind of young man that doesn’t need to be screamed at. No one feels worse than he does. Hoover is a star in the making, and I expect 2011 to be a breakout season and end with post-season accolades.

Next up:Â TE Brian Linthicum