Ourlads' Profile:
2022 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about NAKOBE DEAN:
Georgia, 5112 229 4.60. Junior entry, two-year starter, Horn Lake, MS. Georgia has rotated linebackers and Dean began receiving the majority of snaps in 2020. In 2021 was first team All-SEC, first-team AP All-America, and winner of the coveted Butkus Award. Undersized he plays bigger than he is and is quick getting downhill on run reads. Very instinctive, he shows good key diagnose to fit inside gaps. Makes a lot of plays in the backfield taking an open window. Outstanding blitz skill both inside and outside showing great anticipation and a closing burst. Excellent in chase mode he can get to the alley and perimeter and run through tackles in space. Over the top agility he is very fluid at changing directions. Normally gathers and finishes tackles. Beats linemen with quickness and solid hand usage to slip blocks on the move. Shows an arm under rip move to get through blocks. Plays with awareness as a zone defender using peripheral vision to balance multiple receivers. Has the range to make plays in the intermediate zones. Quick to break on the ball. He can mirror backs out of the backfield and stay in phase up the field. Lack of ideal length can give him trouble versus bigger receivers. Can be overaggressive by coming in hot on a tackle and over running the play. His production is aided by playing behind probably the best defensive line in college football. Has some trouble versus linemen that get to the second level as he can get knocked off his path to the ball or stalemated. His size may somewhat limit the scheme he plays in but he should be an every down starter in the NFL. He projects as a Will linebacker in a 4-3 or 3-4.
2021 stats: 72 T, 10.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 6 PBU, 5 QBH, 2 FF, 2 INT (1 TD). First/second round. (A-31 7/8, H-9 1/8, BP-DNP, 10-DNP).