Alex Wujciak of MaryLand ~ 6.3/250
"A physical, thickly built inside linebacker prospect who simply looks the part. Has a real passion for the game, plays with a mean streak and loves to compete. Possesses good overall power when asked to take on blocks inside. Has the ability to sit into his stance, generates a good jolt on contact and can anchor inside. Isn’t the type of athlete who can quickly shed and make a play off his frame, but knows how to stuff run lanes and take on blocks inside. Exhibits above-average instincts when asked to read his run keys. Typically finds the football quickly, maintains his balance through traffic and displays some short-area burst when asked to close.
Now, isn’t a real gifted athlete by any stretch, looks stiff in space and lacks ideal range sideline to sideline. But, in a phone booth, he can create a real snap through his hips into contact, wraps up well and is a powerful short-area tackler. Will bite on some misdirection and play fakes inside and will run himself out of some plays, and he lacks the athleticism to quickly put himself back in position.
However, he showcases a good feel in the pass game. Quickly deciphers information in zone, gets early jumps on the football and exhibits pretty good ball skills/coordination when asked to adjust to the throw. But, he’s really tight and stiff in his drop/hips, struggles to redirect with any fluidity and isn’t a guy who can generate a burst out of his breaks and be rangy vs. the pass game. Is limited in what he can do athletically for you in space.
Impression: He’s big, physical and has a real passion for the game. Is limited in what he can offer you athletically and won’t fit every scheme. But looks like an ideal fit as a potential jack linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Should get a shot to earn his worth there and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up fighting for playing time down the line."
Now, isn’t a real gifted athlete by any stretch, looks stiff in space and lacks ideal range sideline to sideline. But, in a phone booth, he can create a real snap through his hips into contact, wraps up well and is a powerful short-area tackler. Will bite on some misdirection and play fakes inside and will run himself out of some plays, and he lacks the athleticism to quickly put himself back in position.
However, he showcases a good feel in the pass game. Quickly deciphers information in zone, gets early jumps on the football and exhibits pretty good ball skills/coordination when asked to adjust to the throw. But, he’s really tight and stiff in his drop/hips, struggles to redirect with any fluidity and isn’t a guy who can generate a burst out of his breaks and be rangy vs. the pass game. Is limited in what he can do athletically for you in space.
Impression: He’s big, physical and has a real passion for the game. Is limited in what he can offer you athletically and won’t fit every scheme. But looks like an ideal fit as a potential jack linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Should get a shot to earn his worth there and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up fighting for playing time down the line."
"Alex Wujciak decided to stay close to home in West Orange, New Jersey and attend Maryland after a successful senior season. He ended as a three star recruit and a sleeper linebacker who could end up becoming one of the best with a little bulk and strength. Wujciak could be a beast, but needs to improve in coverage.
The Seton Hall Prep graduate was redshirted as a freshman, and hoped to make an impact as a redshirt in 2007. Unfortunately, a knee injury caused him to miss his first full season, and he’d wait to make his debut in 2008. He missed just one game from 2008-2010 since that knee injury and has quietly become one of the most productive linebackers in the country.
Strengths
Wujciak’s read and react ability is top notch. He has a nose for finding the football, and is always where the ball is at all times. He uses his football IQ to his advantage and makes plays all over the field. He does well sideline to sideline and takes good angles at the football. Wujciak is a solid blitz linebacker when sent in, especially on delayed blitzes. He doesn’t allow himself to get juked out easily in the open field, and is a punishing hitter. He can shed blocks and doesn’t have too many problems getting through traffic to track down the ball carrier.
Weaknesses
Wujciak needs to learn to break down and not tackle so high. Many of his tackles come a bit too high, and in the NFL he will be taken for a ride by a thicker running back who can get through those hits. He plays a bit stiff in coverage and may have to stick to the inside in a 4-3 defense. With some grooming and more experience playing in coverage, he could be tried in a 3-4 defense as his ability to shed blocks is solid.
Draft Range
Wujciak should find himself off the board as early as the late third, and as late as the middle of the fourth round. He could be selected by either a 3-4 defense or 4-3, making him a bigger target at the end of round three to a team like San Diego or Baltimore who could groom him for a year or two.
NFL Comparison: E.J. Henderson "
The Seton Hall Prep graduate was redshirted as a freshman, and hoped to make an impact as a redshirt in 2007. Unfortunately, a knee injury caused him to miss his first full season, and he’d wait to make his debut in 2008. He missed just one game from 2008-2010 since that knee injury and has quietly become one of the most productive linebackers in the country.
Strengths
Wujciak’s read and react ability is top notch. He has a nose for finding the football, and is always where the ball is at all times. He uses his football IQ to his advantage and makes plays all over the field. He does well sideline to sideline and takes good angles at the football. Wujciak is a solid blitz linebacker when sent in, especially on delayed blitzes. He doesn’t allow himself to get juked out easily in the open field, and is a punishing hitter. He can shed blocks and doesn’t have too many problems getting through traffic to track down the ball carrier.
Weaknesses
Wujciak needs to learn to break down and not tackle so high. Many of his tackles come a bit too high, and in the NFL he will be taken for a ride by a thicker running back who can get through those hits. He plays a bit stiff in coverage and may have to stick to the inside in a 4-3 defense. With some grooming and more experience playing in coverage, he could be tried in a 3-4 defense as his ability to shed blocks is solid.
Draft Range
Wujciak should find himself off the board as early as the late third, and as late as the middle of the fourth round. He could be selected by either a 3-4 defense or 4-3, making him a bigger target at the end of round three to a team like San Diego or Baltimore who could groom him for a year or two.
NFL Comparison: E.J. Henderson "
"Bio: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference honors since his sophomore campaign. Led Maryland in tackles since his sophomore season with totals of 117 tackles as a senior. Had 131/8.5/1 as a junior and 133/8.5/1.5 as a sophomore.
Positive: Hardworking two-down defender who is best against the run. Instinctive and wraps up as a tackler. Stays with assignments, works hard, and plays with a warrior type mentality. Displays a good head for the ball and flashes skill in zone coverage.
Negative: Lacks the speed to get out to the sidelines and cut off the corners. Plays a bit stiff. Only good in the box or a small area.
Analysis: Smith has been a productive defender for Syracuse but is a limited athlete with marginal size/speed numbers. Projects as a two-down defender and possibly a backup on the inside in a 34 alignment at the next level."
Positive: Hardworking two-down defender who is best against the run. Instinctive and wraps up as a tackler. Stays with assignments, works hard, and plays with a warrior type mentality. Displays a good head for the ball and flashes skill in zone coverage.
Negative: Lacks the speed to get out to the sidelines and cut off the corners. Plays a bit stiff. Only good in the box or a small area.
Analysis: Smith has been a productive defender for Syracuse but is a limited athlete with marginal size/speed numbers. Projects as a two-down defender and possibly a backup on the inside in a 34 alignment at the next level."
"Positives: Plays with a terrific mix of instincts and intensity, will get out of position on occasion, but high motor allows him to get back in the middle of most plays...Fantastic production in two full years (255 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles)... Has a big, strong frame, which allows him to wade through traffic and scrape along the line of scrimmage with relative ease... Is not afraid of contact, will take on every play at point of attack and makes a lot of big hits... Plays very disciplined, especially considering his high motor, maintains gap assignments and is generally quick to diagnose plays... Has decent zone coverage skills, but will be limited to defending shorter routes in NFL... Excellent wrap-up tackler, rarely loses ball carrier after contact, has the strength to bring down larger backs and push piles backward... Is able to disengage from blocks at the line of scrimmage and rarely gets pushed back away from plays.
Negatives: Is not particularly fast, has been clocked between 4.67 and 4.85 in the 40... Plays very high at times, which allows blockers to beat him by getting lower and getting under his pads... Is not a pass rusher by any means, has the ability to get to the quarterback when asked to blitz, but does not have explosion through the line and is limited by small arsenal of pass-rushing moves... Displays stiffness in man coverage and is not fast enough to cover many tight ends and backs, overall liability in man coverage... Does not change directions well, falls victim to misdirection plays on occasion... Was sidelined for whole 2007 season will knee injury, so durability may be a concern, although he has not missed a game since that season."
Negatives: Is not particularly fast, has been clocked between 4.67 and 4.85 in the 40... Plays very high at times, which allows blockers to beat him by getting lower and getting under his pads... Is not a pass rusher by any means, has the ability to get to the quarterback when asked to blitz, but does not have explosion through the line and is limited by small arsenal of pass-rushing moves... Displays stiffness in man coverage and is not fast enough to cover many tight ends and backs, overall liability in man coverage... Does not change directions well, falls victim to misdirection plays on occasion... Was sidelined for whole 2007 season will knee injury, so durability may be a concern, although he has not missed a game since that season."
"Strengths: Heat-seeking missile with a warrior mentality. Has been very productive when healthy, and is a solid heads-up tackler who drives through the mess to reach the ball carrier. Can diagnose very well, and is not easily fooled. Tough, and disciplined. Respects the game and always gives good effort. Very nice size for the position. Leader. Wants to win. Has made himself a decent asset in pass defense. Can line up like a DE on obvious passing downs and will get some heat on the quarterback. Locker room presence. Rallies team mates.
Weaknesses: Not all that fast, athletic, or fluid. Average lateral agility. Must stop and regather himself. Can be beaten by quick TEs and slot receivers consistently in pass defense. Has benefited somewhat statistically from the Maryland system where he plays very close to the LOS many times and is given few responsibilities other than to tackle the ball. Misses lots of tackles. Average foot speed, and has heavy feet.
Projection: 3-4th rounder, who could go as high as the second if he tests better than we think he will in the lateral agility and movement drills during the post season."
Weaknesses: Not all that fast, athletic, or fluid. Average lateral agility. Must stop and regather himself. Can be beaten by quick TEs and slot receivers consistently in pass defense. Has benefited somewhat statistically from the Maryland system where he plays very close to the LOS many times and is given few responsibilities other than to tackle the ball. Misses lots of tackles. Average foot speed, and has heavy feet.
Projection: 3-4th rounder, who could go as high as the second if he tests better than we think he will in the lateral agility and movement drills during the post season."
"Alex Wujciak has flown under the national radar, but for three years he has been a superb playmaker for Maryland and dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference. After redshirting in 2006, Wujciak had a great spring in 2007, but missed the entire season after suffering a knee injury. It is interesting to speculate what Wujciak would have done as a freshman, but for the next three years, the 6-3, 250 pound linebacker was the steadying force for the Maryland defense.
As a sophomore he tallied a team high 133 tackles and started all 13 games. He also added 8.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks. Heading into the 2009 campaign there was no doubt who the leader of the defense would be for Maryland. Once again Wujciak led the team in tackles and once again added 8.5 tackles-for-loss. Wujciak even picked off a couple passes and returned one of them for a score. Wujciak had no let down during his senior season as he led the surprising Terps to a 8-4 regular season record. Once again Wujciak led the squad in tackles and again picked off a couple passes.
Wujciak is certainly a very productive inside linebacker. He may not be the strongest or fastest player out there, but he has proven over and over again that he will be very productive no matter where he plays. His lack of physical dominance will keep him down the draft board quite a ways, but any team should be very happy to get a hardworking player like Wujciak in the sixth or seventh round."
As a sophomore he tallied a team high 133 tackles and started all 13 games. He also added 8.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks. Heading into the 2009 campaign there was no doubt who the leader of the defense would be for Maryland. Once again Wujciak led the team in tackles and once again added 8.5 tackles-for-loss. Wujciak even picked off a couple passes and returned one of them for a score. Wujciak had no let down during his senior season as he led the surprising Terps to a 8-4 regular season record. Once again Wujciak led the squad in tackles and again picked off a couple passes.
Wujciak is certainly a very productive inside linebacker. He may not be the strongest or fastest player out there, but he has proven over and over again that he will be very productive no matter where he plays. His lack of physical dominance will keep him down the draft board quite a ways, but any team should be very happy to get a hardworking player like Wujciak in the sixth or seventh round."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Alex Wujciak
When I evaluate any prospect, 1% of it derives from my own analysis of The Tape, and 99% of it is my evaluation of the evaluators: Those guys, quoted and linked, above, whose expertise DWARFS mine.
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Alex Wujciak is an old fashioned In the Box BEAST.
He couldn't run from one side of the field to the other if his LIFE depended on it.
But within the confines of his domain, he is FEROCIOUS.
If he gets in the wrong Scheme, he's dead. But if you put him in the right Scheme ~ say a 34, with good Defenders around him who can channel the Traffic his way ~ he could be a FORCE.
Sleeper!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
***
Alex Wujciak is an old fashioned In the Box BEAST.
He couldn't run from one side of the field to the other if his LIFE depended on it.
But within the confines of his domain, he is FEROCIOUS.
If he gets in the wrong Scheme, he's dead. But if you put him in the right Scheme ~ say a 34, with good Defenders around him who can channel the Traffic his way ~ he could be a FORCE.
Sleeper!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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