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NFL Draft Profile: BYU LB Alani Fua

Alani Fua has been getting the most attention out of all other eligible players for the Cougars. Here's what he'll bring to an NFL franchise.

By Russell Cragun
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

If you have been watching BYU football for the past three years, odds are you know who Alani Fua is. He has been there to play along side of Ezekiel Ansah and Kyle Van Noy. He has helped anchor BYU's defense and helped keep offenses from stretching the field horizontally time and time again.

This season was a bit of a disappointment for Fua compared to his junior year. A lot of that can be credited to BYU's defensive struggles overall and Fua missing several games due to injury. He ended the season with 42 total tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.

Most NFL scouts like Fua for his size and speed that he brings to the field. He would excel in a 3-4 NFL style defense where he can continue to stretch the field and cover slot receivers. He also put together a solid workout for the scouts that helped boost his draft stock.

Here are Fua's Pro Day numbers (according to nfldraftscout.com):

  • 40-yard dash - 4.73
  • 225 lb bench - 18 reps
  • Vertical jump - 34 1/2 inches
  • Broad jump - 118 inches
  • 20-yard shuttle - 4.15
  • 3-cone drill - 6.83

At 6'5, 248lbs a lot of people are willing to take a chance on Fua to see what he can produce. The opportunity is his to take and fight for. There are plenty of teams that are in desperate need of help at the linebacker position, and he would have plenty of time and chances to play in the preseason.

Some of the teams that are looking at him include NFC defending champs Seahawks along with the Eagles and Colts. All these teams would be good fits for them as they look to use speed on the outside. However, He would likely struggle to get playing time with the Seahawks because of the depth they have on defense.

Draft expert Matt Miller has Fua going to the Colts in the 6th round and I love that move. This would give him a very realistic chance of making the team and seeing a lot of playing time on Sunday. They don't have any standout linebackers that would box him out on a 'name only' basis.

His chances in Philly would be interesting because it would be almost the same situation. There would be a little more competition to keep him on the bench, not to mention the unique coaching situation the Eagles have been experiencing.

Come draft day look for Fua to get drafted towards the end of the draft. The earliest I could see him going is in the 5th round to someone who loves him enough. Regardless of where he goes, I'm confident he can earn his spot in the NFL through hard work.

In This Stream

BYU Football: 2015 NFL Draft Central

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