Matt Grootegoed Grade: 3.26  Position: S  Class: Sr  School: Southern Cal  Conference: Pac-10  Ht., Wt.: 5-10, 212  40 Time: 4.71   Grading System

BIO: Four-year starter at linebacker awarded All-America and All-Conference honors as a senior after posting 68/12.5/3 along with five interceptions and four pass defenses. Junior totals included 41/4.5/1.5 after career numbers of 81/16.5/8 as a sophomore. POSITIVES: Explosive collegiate linebacker who projects to safety in the NFL. Fast up the field, quickly closes to the ball handler and forces the action. Tenacious, yet at the same time an alert defender who does a solid job reading the action. Moves well laterally, flashes on the scene and flies around the ball. Disciplined, stays with assignments and wraps up tackling. Occasionally placed over the slot receiver and smooth transitioning to run with opponents. NEGATIVES: Undersized, not strong at the point and easily blocked from the play or has tackles broken. Struggles in man-to-man coverage. ANALYSIS: A defender best playing downhill, Grootegoed is a high-revving prospect who sacrifices his body to make a play. Displays adequate skills in zone coverage. A solid middle-round choice for a two-deep system where the action is in front of him. PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent