MF Christopher Galippo of Southern California ~ 6.2/250
~ Zimbio ~
"Galippo has been an off and on starter for the Trojans the past three seasons because of injuries and demotions due to the play of younger, more athletic linebackers. A herniated disc kept him out for a year and has limited him at times throughout his career.
He is an instinctive middle linebacker who is quick to reach when the ball is snapped and almost always is involved in the tackle on run plays. Despite all this, Galippo is a solid backer whose instincts and production over a five-year period give him late-round value to a team looking for a backup at the position capable of competing on special teams.
***
Strengths: Galippo is an instinctual player and good tackler. He struggles at times fitting on inside run plays but is good in his pass set and reacting to pass plays throughout the field. He is a decent athlete who can cover well in his pass sets.
Weaknesses: Galippo will fall off tackles and can struggle when it comes to inside run plays. He is a good lateral mover but breaking down in space can give him trouble. He has been out-skilled by younger kids in the program throughout his career, and his back has given him trouble. When healthy, he has the talent to contribute on special teams."
He is an instinctive middle linebacker who is quick to reach when the ball is snapped and almost always is involved in the tackle on run plays. Despite all this, Galippo is a solid backer whose instincts and production over a five-year period give him late-round value to a team looking for a backup at the position capable of competing on special teams.
***
"Galippo was considered one of the top recruits in the country out of high school, earning HS All-American status and MVP honors of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He had the pick of the litter when it came to colleges, but decided to stay close to home and play for the Trojans.
Galippo played in the first three games on 2007 before a back injury cut short his year, taking a medical redshirt season. He returned in 2008 as a redshirt freshman backup and played in all 10 games, recording 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and one interception.
Galippo earned the starting MLB job in 2009 as a sophomore and earned All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention honors, finishing with 70 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 6 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. He lost his starting job in 2010, but started the second half of the year, recording 29 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, three forced fumbles and two picks.
After starting the first eight games of his senior season in 2011, Galippo lost his job late in the season, finishing with 47 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five pass breakups and an interception.
Galippo is a small-area player who simply isn't explosive and lacks ideal playing speed. His best chance at the next level will be in a 3-4 scheme to mask his lack of range. He dropped into coverage a lot the past two seasons in defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's Tampa-2 scheme, utilizing his heady instincts and good first step quickness.
Although he plays at full speed with good read/react skills, Galippo doesn't stand out in any one area and lacks the speed or fluidity to hold up at the next level. He is a forceful, but inconsistent tackler who lacks the talent or durability to start in the NFL.
***
Strengths: Galippo is a thickly-built player with classic LB size and look. He plays with adequate strength. Galippo is a smart defensive mind with good instincts and read/react skills, using his eyes accurately to sniff out plays.
He has coordinated footwork and balance. Galippo is better in pass coverage than expected, watching the eyes of the QB and using his natural football instincts. He has good reaction skills and is a very aware defender. Galippo is a forceful tackler vs. the run and shows leadership traits on the field.
He is a hard worker with experience at all three LB spots and plays with a top motor. Galippo worked hard on special teams coverage despite losing his starting job as a senior.
Weaknesses: Galippo is a limited athlete who lacks the overall playing speed needed for the next level. He isn't explosive and is more of a one-speed player. Galippo consistently seems a step behind in pursuit. He is stiff in space with poor lateral agility and range and doesn't have the body fluidity to quickly change directions.
He struggles to complete tackles in space. Galippo is a big hitter, but doesn't consistently wrap up and fails to finish, allowing too many ballcarriers out of his grasp.
He had only average-at-best production in college with his best season coming as a sophomore. He has strong durability concerns, missing time with various injuries, including two back surgeries.
NFL Comparison: Ross Homan, free agent."
-- Dane Brugler
Galippo played in the first three games on 2007 before a back injury cut short his year, taking a medical redshirt season. He returned in 2008 as a redshirt freshman backup and played in all 10 games, recording 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and one interception.
Galippo earned the starting MLB job in 2009 as a sophomore and earned All-Pac 10 Honorable Mention honors, finishing with 70 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 6 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. He lost his starting job in 2010, but started the second half of the year, recording 29 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, three forced fumbles and two picks.
After starting the first eight games of his senior season in 2011, Galippo lost his job late in the season, finishing with 47 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five pass breakups and an interception.
Galippo is a small-area player who simply isn't explosive and lacks ideal playing speed. His best chance at the next level will be in a 3-4 scheme to mask his lack of range. He dropped into coverage a lot the past two seasons in defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's Tampa-2 scheme, utilizing his heady instincts and good first step quickness.
Although he plays at full speed with good read/react skills, Galippo doesn't stand out in any one area and lacks the speed or fluidity to hold up at the next level. He is a forceful, but inconsistent tackler who lacks the talent or durability to start in the NFL.
***
Strengths: Galippo is a thickly-built player with classic LB size and look. He plays with adequate strength. Galippo is a smart defensive mind with good instincts and read/react skills, using his eyes accurately to sniff out plays.
He has coordinated footwork and balance. Galippo is better in pass coverage than expected, watching the eyes of the QB and using his natural football instincts. He has good reaction skills and is a very aware defender. Galippo is a forceful tackler vs. the run and shows leadership traits on the field.
He is a hard worker with experience at all three LB spots and plays with a top motor. Galippo worked hard on special teams coverage despite losing his starting job as a senior.
Weaknesses: Galippo is a limited athlete who lacks the overall playing speed needed for the next level. He isn't explosive and is more of a one-speed player. Galippo consistently seems a step behind in pursuit. He is stiff in space with poor lateral agility and range and doesn't have the body fluidity to quickly change directions.
He struggles to complete tackles in space. Galippo is a big hitter, but doesn't consistently wrap up and fails to finish, allowing too many ballcarriers out of his grasp.
He had only average-at-best production in college with his best season coming as a sophomore. He has strong durability concerns, missing time with various injuries, including two back surgeries.
NFL Comparison: Ross Homan, free agent."
-- Dane Brugler
"A thicker, squattier inside linebacker prospect who has experience playing on the weak side as well. Is a willing tackler inside the box when asked to play as a downhill guy. However, isn’t overly instinctive, doesn’t take many false steps initially, just fails to consistently get good jumps on the play reading off blocks and giving himself a chance to make impact play.
Possesses some pop on contact taking on linemen at the point of attack. However, needs to do a better job extending his hands/arms into contact in order to shed. Too often leads with his shoulder and doesn’t give himself a chance to disengage and make a play off his frame.
Lacks ideal short area quickness as well, has a tough time avoiding blockers in tight areas and is average at best in pursuit when asked to close. Is limited vs. the pass game. Didn’t start for the first half of the year in 2010 and in my option it was because of his lack of ideal range/fluidity in space.
Is tightly wound, doesn’t redirect and accelerate quickly and gets only limited depth in his drop. Doesn’t do a great job feeling routes develop around him ether and quickly driving on receivers under him. Seems to drift too often in space, isn’t a real proactive player and lacks the fluidity/burst to turn and run with tight ends/backs down the seam.
Impression: Kind of a “blah” prospect who has never lived up to his high school billing. Is average at best vs. the run game, struggles vs. the pass and in my view doesn’t seem to warrant much more than a FA grade."
Possesses some pop on contact taking on linemen at the point of attack. However, needs to do a better job extending his hands/arms into contact in order to shed. Too often leads with his shoulder and doesn’t give himself a chance to disengage and make a play off his frame.
Lacks ideal short area quickness as well, has a tough time avoiding blockers in tight areas and is average at best in pursuit when asked to close. Is limited vs. the pass game. Didn’t start for the first half of the year in 2010 and in my option it was because of his lack of ideal range/fluidity in space.
Is tightly wound, doesn’t redirect and accelerate quickly and gets only limited depth in his drop. Doesn’t do a great job feeling routes develop around him ether and quickly driving on receivers under him. Seems to drift too often in space, isn’t a real proactive player and lacks the fluidity/burst to turn and run with tight ends/backs down the seam.
Impression: Kind of a “blah” prospect who has never lived up to his high school billing. Is average at best vs. the run game, struggles vs. the pass and in my view doesn’t seem to warrant much more than a FA grade."
"Nondescript on tape, Galippo has struggled to stay in one piece or live up to his hype coming out of high school.
Hit-or-miss tackler with tight movement skills and a soft shoulder taking on blocks.
Instincts are merely average and doesn't play with urgency or abandon.
Might not be on the radar if not for his visibility at a high-profile program."
Hit-or-miss tackler with tight movement skills and a soft shoulder taking on blocks.
Instincts are merely average and doesn't play with urgency or abandon.
Might not be on the radar if not for his visibility at a high-profile program."
"Perplexing prospect who was a big-time recruit in 2007, but is yet to live up to hype; wasn’t even a full-time starter in 2010 when he had just 29 tackles after racking up 70 the previous year; will also likely play on the weakside this season with junior Devon Kennard ensconced inside;
If healthy has next-level size and decent speed and athleticism; plays hard and has always been outstanding on special teams; also instinctive in coverage where he has 5 career picks;
Health is an issue though as he missed most of the 2007 season and the first part of the following season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back."
If healthy has next-level size and decent speed and athleticism; plays hard and has always been outstanding on special teams; also instinctive in coverage where he has 5 career picks;
Health is an issue though as he missed most of the 2007 season and the first part of the following season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back."
RSS Feed