2022 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Edge Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State

Nick takes a look at a potential pass rushing talent to keep an eye on in the coming weeks and months.

Author:
Nick Falato
Publish date:
Jan 24, 2022 8:00 AM EST

In this story:

Penn State Nittany Lions

New York Giants

Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE

Height: 6’4
Weight: 250 lbs
Class: RS Senior
School: Penn State

Ebiketie is a former three-star recruit that played at Temple University for three seasons before transferring to Penn State. Ebiketie attended Albert Einstein High School in the Kensington, Maryland, area. He was the 138th OLB recruit in the 2017 recruiting cycle.

Notables

In just one season playing in the Big Ten, Ebiketie earned All-Big Ten honors and finished the season with 52 pressures, ranking 16th in the FBS. He had 62 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. His impressive 2021 season led to a Reese’s Senior Bowl invitation.

His most impressive performances from 2021 came against Wisconsin and Michigan, where he had 7 and 9 pressure, respectively. Ebiketie opted out of the Outback Bowl against Arkansas to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Strengths

Very good athlete for an EDGE
Long defender with a leaner frame, more suitable for a situational pass rusher
Good overall get-off with burst in his first step
Gets to the top of the arc quickly, excellent once in half-man relationship
Gets into outside shoulder quickly
Quick and effective hands to separate in half-man relationship

(swat/rip, club/rip, inside club swim, etc.)

Solid overall flexibility when engaged
Lateral movement skills inside combined with counter hand moves are exceptional
The ability to win with agility and finesse hand moves is impressive
Good at shooting gaps against the run
Great effort and pursuit
Quickness, flexibility, on stunts as looper
Stats were significantly better at Penn State than they were at Temple

Want to check out more NFL Draft profiles by Nick Falato?

Click here to see those already posted.

Gallery

1 Images

Weaknesses

More of a pass rusher than a run defender
Can set edge, doesn’t consistently dictate the point of attack

Can be moved against bigger OT

Wins with finesse and speed, not too much conversion of speed to power
Doesn’t have big pop in his hands
Play strength is adequate at best
Late bloomer with one year of quality production (albeit the production came in the Big Ten)

Summary

Overall, Ebiketie will be an early contributor as a quality situational pass rusher who wins with quickness, burst, lateral movement ability, and active hands to shed. He has an array of pass-rushing moves and does a good job separating from OL once he established the half-man relationship.

My concern with Ebiketie is his ability to consistently impact opposing rushing attacks. He can set the EDGE, but he’s better as a run defender when asked to penetrate and use his upfield burst. Ebiketie is a fun player who will be a good professional football player if he can develop consistency as a run defender.

GRADE: 6.1