Despite not having great on field success in the past few seasons, Illinois has had a history of developing solid and highly picked NFL prospects. In the past five years, they've produced five first round picks, five second rounder, and sixteen draft picks overall since 2008.
And while it may be a bit of a questionable decision, Akeen Spence, defensive tackle from Illinois has declared for the 2013 NFL Draft, according to Eric Young via Twitter. Based on my evaluations and the depth at defensive tackle, it may not be the ideal choice, it's hard to argue with past Illinois products that could indicate future draft success for Spence.
As a prospect who flashed quite a bit in 2011, I had high expectations for how Akeem Spence could develop in 2012 and into a potential high 2013 NFL Draft pick. Built well in his lower half, stout at the point of attack well initially, and has natural strength in his hands and as a tackler, he has the tools to be a solid nose tackle at the next level.
But Spence lacks the explosion off the ball, the use of his hands as an interior rusher, the lack of great body control as a rusher, and the leg drive to consistently win one on one match-ups. Despite having the initial strength in his lower half and hands, he doesn't consistently use it well enough to eat up gaps on a consistent basis nor handle double teams consistently.
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However, with the recent success of fellow early-declared defensive linemen Whitney Mercilus and Corey Liuget, Spence could be the next in a line of Illini defensive linemen to go in the Top 50 picks.Merclius was the nations leading sack leader, however, and Liuget had a better NFL build and flashed the ability to play the coveted 5-technique, even though neither have made huge impacts thus far.
Spence certainly has NFL ability, and in the 4th round, he could be a wise short-term rotational and long-term project type prospect at the NFL level. He isn't at Mercilus or Liuget's level as a prospect, and may be limited to a 1-technique spot in a 4-3 defense for his NFL future because of his lack of great size and burst off the ball. Still, that position is always in need, even for a depth role.
Spence will need to impress in post-season workouts, show his ability to develop as an interior presence, and show up completely in shape and ready to impress at the 2013 NFL Combine, as that'll be the next chance Spence has to shine. We've seen other Illini rise quickly over the course of the draft process, and Spence will get his chance to do the same.
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