Ourlads' Profile:
2021 Guide: What Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services said about TALANOA HUFANGA: Southern Cal, 6010 215 4.64. Junior entry, two-year starter, Corvallis, OR. Instinctive versatile player who was productive lining up all over the USC defense. Has played deep coverage, overhang, and in the box as a situational inside linebacker. In run support he’s a heat seeking missile exploding downhill into tackles wherever he lines up. Takes consistent angles in pursuit. Slips blocks on the move but also flashed shed ability. Solid tackling skill moving downhill and in space. Quick to gather and drive through tackles. As a deep safety has a good feel for playing over the top in Cover 2. Balances routes and sees the quarterback delivery key. Quick reactions with the ball in the air. Has improved ball skills anticipating the throw and extending to the catch point. At his best in the box or as an overhang player. Instinctive reactions he makes a lot of plays in the backfield. He was effective as an inside and outside blitzer anticipating the snap and chasing in the backfield. As a flat defender showed ability to get under deep routes and react to short throws outside. As a match defender eye discipline and technique allowed him to mirror inside receivers route breaks. Stayed in phase on vertical routes for the most part. Struggled when matched up as routes extended. Has some trouble locating the ball covering on an extended route. Lacks the speed to consistently play one high as his range was limited. Lower body stiffness shows when opening hips in the deep zones. This can also be seen occasionally reacting in space. There were times he ended up with a shoe string tackle or miss. He fits as a hybrid/safety/linebacker. His versatility will put him on many sub packages and he could start in the right system. Also an outstanding special team player. 2020 stats: 62 T, 5.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 FF, 4 INT. Fourth/fifth round. (A-32, H-9 7/8, VJ-35.5, SS-4.39).